Martinson reelected mayor despite declining to run

   MONONA — Monona’s new mayor could in fact be its current mayor.

   That comes as a result of Tuesday’s city and school elections were Mayor Lynn “Marty” Martinson was reelected despite declining to run for reelection. Martinson received write-in votes from 52 of the 127 voters casting ballots in a race where there were no announced candidates. Eric Koenig received 27 votes, Del Glover had 15 and other candidates received the remaining 33 votes cast in the election.

   Martinson announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection due to commitments he made to his family. He said at the time that he had intended to serve only one two-year term when he originally ran for office.

   Though elected, Martinson has the legal right to decline the position. According to information received by the City of Monona from County Election Commissioner Jennifer Garms, to do so the elected may submit a letter of resignation to the city clerk (Dan Canton) by 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the final canvass of the election. The County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to canvass the election today (Nov. 12).

   If Martinson would resign effective at the beginning of the new term, the position would be filled by the second-place vote-getter, which was Eric Koenig, who received 27 votes, unless a petition were to be filed requesting a special election. The petition would need to include signatures of eligible voters equal to 25 percent of the number of people who voted for the office in Tuesday’s election, which in this case would be 50.

   For complete election results, see the Nov. 13 Outlook.