Paine To Lead As Superior’s Next Mayor

Douglas County Board Vice Chair Jim Paine will lead Superior as the city’s next mayor. Paine was elected with 58 percent of the vote in unofficial election results on Tuesday. Despite the defeat, Superior City Councilor Brent Fennessey said he may run again in two years.

Paine, who was defeated two years ago by outgoing Interim Mayor Bruce Hagen, gathered with his supporters at the Cedar Lounge in Superior on Tuesday evening. He said the election results show that voters want a city that works for everyone.

“I think they wanted to have a city led with passion and vision and take big, bold steps toward a brighter and better future in the city,” he said.

Housing rehabilitation, wage increases, and economic development were among issues Paine campaigned on and he said that resonated with voters at the polls.

“They have their challenges and their concerns too, but ultimately I think what brought people out is they want to be excited about their city,” he said. “They want to have passion about it and they want everybody else to love it too and for people around the Midwest to see what we love about it so much.”

Paine said one of his first priorities as mayor is to “get to work” on housing.

“This is going to be a very big challenge and a very significant change in direction. I also want to be pursuing development here in downtown, especially in conjunction with the Better City Superior project,” he said. “These are things I’m going to be moving forward with hopefully in the first month or two.”

Paine and Fennessey congratulated one another on good race. At the Elk’s Club, Superior City Councilor Brent Fennessey thanked his supporters during his concession speech. Supporter Adam Ferg said he was disappointed in the results.

“I think Paine will do a fine job. However, I know that Brent has a real passion for the city of Superior,” he said. “It’s not the last you’ll hear of Brent. He’s just getting warmed up.”

No matter who leads the city, Ferg said the next mayor will face challenges with bringing in new businesses. Fennessey said he looks forward to working with Paine to better the city.

“Overall, we’re proud of how we ran the campaign and all the volunteers and supporters and all of the people that gathered around this campaign,” he said. “From that standpoint, I don’t think there’s anything to be ashamed about.”

Fennessey said his campaign hit every one of the issues and goals they had set out from the beginning of the race.

“I think biggest difference is this is Jim’s second time around,” he said. “He already has been out and been doing it two years ago. He had that base of supporters and me – I’m just starting fresh with it.”

He said he will continue to serve Superior as city councilor in the 5^th district and plans to run for re-election next year.

“I wouldn’t count it out for another mayoral run two years from now,” he said.

In Superior City Council races, Jenny Van Sickle, Craig Sutherland and Graham Garfield defeated opponents Bryce Harp, Mike Herrick and Tylor Elm. Sutherland defeated long-time city councilor Mike Herrick in the 8^th district by two to one margin. A recount is likely in the 6^th district where Garfield edged past Elm by just one vote.