Superior Mayor Runs For Second Term

Superior Mayor Jim Paine is kicking off his re-election campaign at the Carnegie Library in Superior on Dec 1.

The first-time mayor said he’s running again because he wants to continue work that will build the city into a place where people are proud to live.

If re-elected next spring, Paine said his priorities will be housing, wages, economic development and outdoor recreation.

“We want to make sure that we are improving our housing stock but in a way that’s meaningful and important to neighborhoods. That is saving old and historic houses, helping people improve their own homes,” he said. “We are also trying to get wages up by fighting for working people, fair wages, good benefits, providing … stable jobs for working people. Finally, development – improving a retail economy, improving our downtown business district, and making sure people have fun places to go – not just for the things that they need.”

Paine cites two new housing developments as some of the city accomplishments during his term as mayor.

“We’ve lowered taxes twice, including a historic actual drop in the total property taxes collected for the first time in 33 years,” said Paine. “We’ve lowered fees for the first time ever … We brought fireworks back to Barker’s Island, created the mayor’s Commission on Communities of Color to increase diversity and inclusion in both city government and in the day-to-day life of the city as well.”

Superior’s mayor said some of the challenges facing the city include funding improvements to infrastructure and city services like public safety. Paine was elected last year after former Mayor Bruce Hagen stepped down in the middle of his term.

His campaign kickoff will be held at Superior’s Carnegie Library from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. So far, no other candidates have announced their run for mayor.