Feb. 15, 2022 9:15p; Updated at 10:15p with candidate reaction
(WGTD)---Rebecca Matoska-Mentink and Samantha Kerkman will face off Apr. 5th for Kenosha County Executive.
In primary voting Tuesday, a third candidate, County Board Supervisor Jerry Gulley, was eliminated.
With all wards reporting, Matoska-Mentink had 44.4% of the vote compared to Kerkman's nearly 38%. Gulley came in with just over 17%.
Matoska-Mentink, who currently serves as the county's Clerk of Courts, polled well in the city while Kerkman did well in most of the towns and villages that she currently represents in the Assembly.
In phone interviews afterward, both expressed gratitude to the voters.
Looking ahead, Matoska-Mentink said she believed the race will revolve around personal qualifications and experience. "I'm the only candidate that's been tested by all of Kenosha County," she said. "I've been tested for the last 16 years, and I hope that I can continue to grow their trust in my background, my commitment, my passion, my education and experience."
Kerkman cited her experience as a state legislator. "I bring the experience of working in Madison for many years," she said. "Working together across the aisle with my colleagues to get things done. I always put Kenosha first." She also said that in conversation on the issues voters had been mentioning workforce development, public safety and infrastructure.
In a written statement, Gulley, who portrayed himself as the only truly non-partisan candidate, said his campaign offered a glimpse into the possibilities and potential of diverse coalitions of people coming together "with an aspiration for a less divided future."
In his statement, Gulley made no mention of endorsing either of the remaining candidates.
Kerkman is a Republican while Matoska-Mentink ran for the position of Clerk of Courts as a Democrat.
The current County Exec, Jim Kreuser, is retiring after 13 years on the job. The position is non-partisan.
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