Former state Rep. Gordon Hintz beat incumbent Jon Doemel today to become the next Winnebago County exec.
According to unofficial returns, Hintz had 30,832 votes, or 53%, to 27,374 votes, or 47%, for Doemel, who was in his first term.
In a statement, Hintz thanked the voters of Winnebago County for entrusting him with the position, calling it a “responsibility I take seriously.”
“We ran a strong campaign and worked hard to engage voters throughout the county and I hope to take that same approach when in office,” Hintz said.
>> WisPolitics is now on the State Affairs network. Get custom keyword notifications, bill tracking and all WisPolitics content. Get the app or access via desktop.
Hintz spent 16 years in the Assembly, including a stint as minority leader, before leaving two years ago. He took a job as director for the Wisconsin Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust. But he joined Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz in challenging Doemel, who defeated 16-year incumbent Mark Harris in 2021. But both Hintz and Matz cited goals like more transparency and better communication as reasons for getting into the race, and Hintz eclipsed 50% in the three-way February primary.
President Donald Trump won the county by 4.8 percentage points in November.
Former Dem state Sen. Melissa Agard, meanwhile, easily secured a full four-year term as Dane County exec. She opted against running for reelection to the state Senate in 2024 as he pursued the county exec’s office in a special election. She topped Stephen Ratzlaff, a furniture salesman, with 80% of the vote, according to unofficial returns.
