Volume One
Editor’s NOTE: The following article was originally published by Volume One magazine on Feb. 12. Reprinted here with permission.
While the 2026 Spring Election will include significantly more names, some municipalities will be holding primary elections on Tuesday, Feb. 17. In the City of Menomonie, residents will find just three names on their primary ballots, each vying for the mayoral seat.
Longtime Mayor Randy Knaack will be on the ballot alongside two challengers: City Councilman Matthew Crowe and longtime local Grady Richartz. The mayoral race follows at least a year of community conversation over a contentious Dunn County data center project – which is currently “on pause” – proposed in early 2025.
While the growing national conversation around data centers pulled Menomonie into an unprecedented spotlight, it also sparked concerns over local leaders’ transparency and the city’s economic development.
Still, there’s no shortage of responsibilities and other topics which the mayor has influence over, including Menomonie’s budget deficit, local business scene, housing and more.
Down below, you’ll find biographies and *Q&A responses to help you get to know the candidates – listed in the order in which they will appear on the primary ballot – as both people and as politicians. The questionnaire begins by asking each candidate to rank their priorities by allocating 100 points across a variety of important issues. (See “What do those numbers mean?” for additional clarification.)
Where do I vote?
The state’s official myvote.wi.gov website will tell you what’s on your ballot, and where your polling place is: Just select the “Where Do I Vote?” icon, input your street address, and you’ll be directed to your polling place. The same website can also help you find out if you’re already registered to vote (this will save you some headaches on Election Day, although you’ll still need to bring a photo ID to the polls) and who your current elected officials are.
Menomonie’s absentee voting for the primary has already been underway, with in-person absentee voting offered at City Hall now through Friday, Feb. 10. Learn more about in-person absentee voting online.
What do those numbers mean?
As of way quantifying the candidates’ priorities, we gave all of them a list of categories and 100 points. They were asked to assign more points to the categories they would emphasize and fewer points to those that would take a lower priority if they were elected. We also asked the candidates to explain why they arranged the priorities the way they did, which you’ll find directly under the priorities table.
*Q&A responses are published as is; they have not been edited by the editorial team.
– Menomonie Mayoral Candidates 2026 –
Please write a statement explaining why you organized your priorities as you did.
Menomonie’s long-term success depends on balancing immediate needs with strategic growth. Infrastructure receives the highest allocation because maintaining roads, utilities, and public facilities is essential to support residents, businesses, and a thriving downtown. Public safety and fiscal responsibility are also top priorities, as residents need to feel safe and confident that their tax dollars are being used efficiently.
Economic development is critical to attract and retain talent, including graduates from UW-Stout, and to ensure a strong local workforce. Affordable and available housing aligns closely with workforce needs and supports community retention. Recreational, cultural, and public health initiatives enrich quality of life, while environmental sustainability ensures Menomonie remains a healthy, attractive place for future generations. This allocation reflects a balance between maintaining essential services, fostering economic opportunity, and enhancing overall community well-being.
What unique qualities or skills do you possess that set you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart is my community-first perspective and practical approach to problem-solving. I focus on building solutions that reflect the real needs of Menomonie residents, whether it’s revitalizing downtown, ensuring affordable housing, or supporting economic development. I emphasize collaboration and transparency, working with city staff, the council, local businesses, and residents to make decisions that are informed, inclusive, and accountable.
I bring a strategic mindset to city priorities, balancing long-term planning with immediate needs. Whether that’s infrastructure, public safety, or recreational and cultural opportunities. I also understand the importance of retaining talent and supporting the workforce, recognizing that housing, vibrant downtown spaces, and community amenities are key to keeping young people and graduates in Menomonie.
Finally, I’m committed to open communication and engagement, ensuring residents understand how decisions are made and why. My approach is rooted in respect, honesty, and a dedication to making Menomonie a welcoming, thriving, and economically strong community for everyone.
What role does (or should) the mayor have in setting the tone among City Council members; the city and the public, including its partnerships with area organizations, businesses and communities?
The mayor plays an important leadership role in setting the tone for City Council, city staff, and the broader community.
At the council level, the mayor should foster a collaborative environment where every member has a voice and feels respected. Strong leadership encourages open discussion and values differing perspectives, knowing that better decisions come from inclusive and thoughtful dialogue.
The mayor also helps manage the tone of meetings by leading with calm, steady leadership. That includes lowering tension when needed, keeping discussions productive, and allowing space for passion and concern to be expressed respectfully. Disagreement is natural; professionalism and mutual respect should always be the standard.
The mayor should be supportive of partnerships with community organizations and businesses while ensuring fairness and transparency. City resources should be allocated based on community priorities rather than personal interests.
The mayor should be visible and accessible, meeting with local businesses to understand workforce needs, growth opportunities, and challenges. By asking what keeps businesses in Menomonie and how the city can better support them, the mayor strengthens partnerships and promotes a more business-friendly community.
In all areas, the mayor sets the example leading with collaboration, transparency, and a clear focus on serving the community. What is (or should) the city – and mayor – be doing to combat its sizable budget deficit?
Addressing a sizable budget deficit requires a collaborative, disciplined approach.
The mayor’s role is to ask thoughtful questions and bring people together, working collaboratively with city staff and the City Council to identify responsible, practical solutions. Budget challenges are best addressed through shared understanding, transparency, and collective problem-solving.
The city must also focus on diversifying the tax base by supporting smart, sustainable economic development. Growing the local economy helps reduce overreliance on residential property taxes while strengthening long-term financial stability.
Finally, the mayor should be supportive of identifying efficiencies across departments. City staff understand their operations best, and empowering them to suggest improvements, reduce bottlenecks, and manage resources more effectively is key. Efficiency isn’t about cuts; it’s about alignment and making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely while protecting essential services.
By focusing on collaboration, economic growth, and operational efficiency, the city can address budget challenges in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Revitalization of Menomonie’s historic downtown has been a longtime, continued effort. What does downtown revitalization mean to you?
Revitalizing downtown means creating a vibrant, active core with high occupancy and a balanced mix of businesses that serve residents, students, and visitors alike. Success requires a shared vision and coordinated effort between the city and economic development partners, grounded in collaboration and long-term planning.
A healthy downtown thrives on diversity. A mix of different businesses and industries, focused on appealing to a variety of audiences, draws people downtown all day long. Menomonie has faced this challenge before. In 2011, local organizations and businesses collaborated on a downtown strategy with recommended actions. While that plan didn’t move forward at the time, there is renewed interest in revisiting those conversations and taking meaningful steps.
To make real progress, we need a lead organization or shared leadership structure with the capacity to focus on downtown revitalization in a significant way. Deteriorating buildings and vacant storefronts must be addressed, including exploring incentives to encourage investment and fill empty spaces.
I’d like to see the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce back downtown as part of that future, helping anchor the revitalization effort.
Ultimately, downtown revitalization is about creating a vibrant, welcoming place that reflects the heart of Menomonie.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to ensure affordable, accessible housing for all residents (perhaps considering there is currently a multimillion dollar affordable housing fund)?
Ensuring affordable, accessible housing is a community-wide effort, not something the mayor can solve alone. The mayor’s role is to support and lead the conversation, while the city should have a full-time group, similar to the plan commission or tourism commission, dedicated to discussing housing needs.
Housing is fundamentally a workforce challenge, so the city should collaborate closely with economic development and the business community. Neighboring communities have successfully launched workforce housing projects, and we should look at those models for ideas.
“Affordable housing” can mean different things to different people, so it’s important to clearly define the needs of Menomonie residents. The city already has an affordable housing fund of over a million dollars, and it’s time to put it into action. Incentivizing developers and bringing in housing experts to propose solutions ensures the fund is used effectively. The city doesn’t need to be the housing expert. Rather, it should create the framework, offer the investment “carrot,” and let experienced professionals pitch solutions to us.
By combining strategic leadership, community input, and targeted investment, we can ensure that Menomonie has housing that is truly affordable, accessible, and aligned with the needs of residents and the workforce.
While host to several higher education institutions which bring people to the area, it has become a trend to see those individuals leave the community upon graduation.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to retain more UW-Stout students and graduates?
Retaining UW-Stout students and graduates starts with creating a community they want to stay in. A strong, vibrant downtown core is essential, offering appealing shops, restaurants, and spaces where young professionals can live, work, and socialize. Supporting businesses that employ the emerging workforce and enhancing community amenities—parks, recreation, and cultural opportunities—also helps make Menomonie a place they want to call home.
Housing is another critical factor. The city should work to increase both rental and ownership options, with costs better aligned to entry-level wages, so graduates can realistically afford to stay. Students are more likely to stay when they feel welcomed, connected, and part of Menomonie’s community. Helping students feel truly part of the community can have a real impact on retention.
Finally, the mayor and city leadership should clearly articulate what makes Menomonie unique and attractive for younger individuals, from lifestyle to career opportunities. By combining vibrant downtown spaces, supportive workplaces, accessible housing, and a welcoming culture, Menomonie can become a place graduates are proud to stay and build their futures.
Menomonie was thrust into the regional and broader data center conversation this past year. Some have commented that the city’s handling of its potential data center project could make Menomonie less attractive in terms of economic development.
What can the city – and mayor – do to further market itself as an economic development-friendly community?
Menomonie can strengthen its economic development appeal by taking a proactive and strategic approach. The city should invest in economic development strategies and work closely with regional economic development agencies. While the city is not expected to handle every recruitment effort, it should be actively involved in attracting businesses and industries alongside its partners.
Promoting Menomonie as an attractive place to do business is critical, especially following the negative optics surrounding the recent data center discussion. A firm and proactive approach can help rebuild confidence with potential investors and the community.
The city should develop a well-defined strategy in collaboration with economic development partners, identifying the types of projects and industries it seeks rather than waiting for opportunities to arise. Educating the city council and the public about the role and benefits of a comprehensive plan will also help align expectations and support future development efforts.
By combining strategic planning, active recruitment, and transparent communication, Menomonie can position itself as a community ready to welcome new businesses, foster growth, and create sustainable economic opportunities for residents and the region.
Further, what does transparency – between city representatives and the public – mean to you?
To me, transparency between city representatives and the public starts with respect. Residents deserve a clear understanding of how decisions are made, who is responsible, and why those decisions are being considered.
Transparency also means providing more opportunities for public input and ensuring the city council is well-informed. It requires honesty by sharing a complete and factual picture of both challenges and progress, rather than only highlighting what seems positive.
Regular communication is key. The mayor and city officials should be visible in the community, attending meetings and events, and sharing updates about what’s happening in Menomonie. A “State of the City” event could be created to give residents an overview of city initiatives, and the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce could be a partner to help host it.
Transparency is about keeping residents informed, involved, and confident that their city leaders are working in the community’s best interest.
Please write a statement explaining why you organized your priorities as you did.
Priorities. First Priority, What is the need of the people. Secondly, What can impact the city the most. For instance; A clean lake would be amazing and it is getting cleaner every year since we started working on it. third Every entity has importance, and I prefer to have a balance that is obtainable rather than ideas that are not.
What unique qualities or skills do you possess that set you apart from the other candidates?
I’ve been managing people since I was 18, I’m Honost, Calm, and caring. I just want the best for everyone.
What role does (or should) the mayor have in setting the tone among City Council members; the city and the public, including its partnerships with area organizations, businesses and communities?
I often meet with council members to answer questions about Agenda items and or issues facing Menomonie. I Do not try to impact there vote. I’m in the public eye everyday, working with groups, organizations and potential business moving in.
What is (or should) the city – and mayor – be doing to combat its sizable budget deficit?
The City of Menomonie is in a good place budget wise, When I started we carried about a 36 million dollar debt load, and now we are at approx. 24 Million in debt, Our self funded insurance for employees is a great benefit to the city and we have been making huge strides on additional infrastructure within the city. That being said over the past few years our tax levy has been pretty flat, with some years having a spike depending on the State and Federal Government financial support.
Revitalization of Menomonie’s historic downtown has been a longtime, continued effort. What does downtown revitalization mean to you?
Revitalizing downtown means creating a vibrant, active core with high occupancy and a All small towns are suffering with maintaining a strong downtown. what we are faced with in Menomonie is that too many of the downtown businesses are not traffic generators, We need more for traffic downtown. ie barbershop, cafe, clothing stores, bakery, etc.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to ensure affordable, accessible housing for all residents (perhaps considering there is currently a multimillion dollar affordable housing fund)?
Affordable housing is something I’ve been looking at for years, There is no easy answer to affordable housing unless we look at a total new style of housing, dome homes etc.
While host to several higher education institutions which bring people to the area, it has become a trend to see those individuals leave the community upon graduation.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to retain more UW-Stout students and graduates?
The More industry we have the more jobs that we can offer. We need to maintain a good balance between average and above average educated individuals.
Menomonie was thrust into the regional and broader data center conversation this past year. Some have commented that the city’s handling of its potential data center project could make Menomonie less attractive in terms of economic development.
What can the city – and mayor – do to further market itself as an economic development-friendly community?
The data center gathered a lot of curiosity about our region and since this summer we’ve actually had more inquiries for more economic development. We are in a great position for additional manufacturing and future jobs in Menomonie.
Further, what does transparency – between city representatives and the public – mean to you?
When it comes to transparency, my door is always open, and I will meet with anyone on any topic at any time. We’ve recently hired a communications specialist to help with getting city information to the community.
I’ve always loved Menomonie and would do anything in my power to help Menomonie keep moving forward in a positive sense.
Please write a statement explaining why you organized your priorities as you did.
Menomonie needs to have a strategic plan with a budget that reflects that plan. Most of the above items, I believe, fit in with the economic development category. Infrastructure, housing, quality of life, and public safety are all investments that reflect economic development and a thriving community. When we strategically invest in these priorities, the tax base will increase and the tax burden on the residents will decrease, providing additional revenue for beautification and vibrancy of the city. My platform and priorities will bring in jobs to increase wages, upgraded roads, safe and clean water, affordable housing and quality rentals because everyone has a right to a decent home, restoring vibrancy to downtown with government transparency and fiscal responsibility. When we plan, prioritize, budget accordingly and work together, these items all fall into place.
What unique qualities or skills do you possess that set you apart from the other candidates?
I believe the skill sets that I have built over my sixteen (16) year career as an environmental engineering manager sets me apart from the candidates. This is a unique skill set in that I have developed the ability to take what seems to be two polar opposites and bring them together to accomplish the same goals. At work I ensure that we are profitable while going above and beyond what is required by state and federal laws for environmental regulations to ensure that our workers and neighbors are safe. This isn’t just don’t by technical skills, but rather by a combination of leadership and technical skills. In this case leadership is more important than technical skills. I have been in senior leadership roles through various companies over the past 12 years. I have been a coach in several sports and ages. This allows me to mentor and develop our youth. I have coached college and high school football, high school and middle school track and youth sports.
What role does (or should) the mayor have in setting the tone among City Council members; the city and the public, including its partnerships with area organizations, businesses and communities?
The Mayor should be the leader of the city, who works collaboratively with the 11 City Council Members to develop a plan to move Menomonie forward. My first task will be to hold a strategic planning session with the City Council to bring all of our ideas together and make a plan to implement them. For too long there has been a divisive tone set in our local government. I’ll change that. We need to be team because working together is how we work to tackle the big issues. I’ll hold town hall meetings to hear from our citizens on their ideas to make Menomonie a better place for everyone. I’ll also work with our non-profit organizations and business and industry leaders on a plan that supports everyone in our community, because we all do better when we ALL do better.
What is (or should) the city – and mayor – be doing to combat its sizable budget deficit?
We need strategic plan to address the budget deficit and pay down the deficit. Until we can create a welcoming environment for people and business and industry, we will be stuck where we are. My goal is to focus on economic development, attracting new businesses and industry that pay a living wage. I’ve also been hard at work to attract new housing development to help our city grow, broadening the tax bases, which will result in a reduction of your property taxes.
Revitalization of Menomonie’s historic downtown has been a longtime, continued effort. What does downtown revitalization mean to you?
Downtown revitalization starts with supporting our local business that already exists in our historic downtown. I love spending Saturday mornings at places like La Dee Dah, Dragontale Books, Triangle Antiques, and others. However, over recent years, we’ve seen storefronts close and a lack of vibrancy downtown. By working with our downtown building owners to renovate or build new space, we can attract new local small businesses to open and breathe fresh life into our downtown. The city can also work on making our downtown more attractive by adding green space, trees, and keeping our roads maintained so our downtown is attractive to everyone.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to ensure affordable, accessible housing for all residents (perhaps considering there is currently a multimillion dollar affordable housing fund)?
We need to focus on housing – both increasing our housing stock by building new housing and renovating our rental properties because everyone in Menomonie deserves a quality place to live. For the last 16 years, housing developers have been turned away, discouraged from moving forward with projects, or flat out told we aren’t interested in working with you. It’s time for a change in that narrative, and that starts with new leadership. I plan to work to make Menomonie a Development Friendly Municipality, which is a partnership between the city, Dunn County, and Dunn Economic Development to attract new housing development for workforce housing, executive housing, and affordable housing. We also need to be creative when we think about what housing looks like and explore options like townhomes, cottage courts, and mixed-use development.
While host to several higher education institutions which bring people to the area, it has become a trend to see those individuals leave the community upon graduation.
What can (or should) the city – and mayor – do to retain more UW-Stout students and graduates?
To keep our UW-Stout and Chippewa Valley Tech College alumni in the area, we need to not only attract new business and industry so they can have jobs here but also build new housing units so they have places to live. Growth for our community means new restaurants and places to eat, new small businesses in our downtown, and high paying jobs for not only our alumni, but for everyone. Menomonie is a great place to live and raise a family; However, we’ve missed out on so much potential because of the due to recent stagnation. Menomonie needs a fresh, positive start to jumpstart economic growth. That’s what I will bring to the table as our next mayor.
Menomonie was thrust into the regional and broader data center conversation this past year. Some have commented that the city’s handling of its potential data center project could make Menomonie less attractive in terms of economic development.
What can the city – and mayor – do to further market itself as an economic development-friendly community?
The problem we’ve had is a lack of transparency from the current leadership. When he spent 20+ months laying the groundwork to attract a data center, without giving the city council or our citizens the full picture of why, it led to confusion, worry, and heartache for many in our community. We all need to learn the lesson from this blunder and be open and transparent about how your government works. It’s why I want to have town hall meetings, so that you, our citizens, can have an opportunity to talk about what business and industry you want to see, so we can work to attract those to our community. Without a plan, we’ve had a hap hazard approach to development. It’s time to get organized, start fresh, and close the chapter on stagnation – because when we all work together, we can accomplish great things.
Further, what does transparency – between city representatives and the public – mean to you?
Transparency means everything from holding town hall meetings, to innovative communications strategies like utilizing social media, to a “State of the City“ address to you can be as informed as possible to what’s going on in Menomonie. As your Mayor, I will start a “Monday’s with Matthew“ so that each week you are provided an update on everything from what’s going on with local events, to current projects of your city government, and all other developments so our citizens can be informed. Government transparency is a key issue for my campaign and for all of us because nothing good happens with secrecy and backroom deals. Let’s move forward together. That’s why I’m asking for your vote on February 17th in the primary and on April 7th for the Spring Election, because when we all work together, we can accomplish great things.
Want to learn more about these candidates? View the video interviews News 18 conducted in January and visit each of the candidates’ online profiles at the links below:
• WQOW News 18 Video Interviews
• Grady Richartz for Mayor – Facebook page
• Mayor Randy Knaack – Facebook page
• Matthew Crowe for Mayor – Facebook page
McKenna Scherer is managing editor at Volume One Magazine, Eau Claire.
Link to original Volume One article.