Wausau alderperson announces he will challenge Katie Rosenberg for mayor in spring election

WAUSAU − District 4 alderperson Doug Diny announced his candidacy for mayor Wednesday afternoon outside of the East High Apartments on the city's east side. He will challenge current Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg in the spring election.

“We’ve lived here 23 years and have kept an eye on what’s going on, particularly with some of our economic development issues,” Diny told a Wausau Daily Herald reporter after his announcement. “I see an opportunity here to give back service to the community.”

He said the riverfront development projects, in particular, influenced his interest in local politics.

Diny was first elected to the Wausau City Council, a two-year term, in April 2022, and he has served on the Airport Commission since 2016.

Diny formerly served in the U.S. Army and gained the rank of major. Following his time in the Army, Diny worked at two different industrial pipe, valve and fittings companies for more than 13 years each. He retired in 2022.

“The main thing for me is to get back to the core basics,” Diny said. “The mayor has switched the mission to a more aspirational theme, and I think we have to be more practical and get back to basic city duties that we have been doing for over 100 years.”

Rosenberg, who won the seat in 2020, announced her reelection campaign in April.

Diny told the Daily Herald he would not seek reelection this spring for his seat on the City Council.

Candidates have until Jan. 2 to turn in nomination paperwork for the spring election. If more than two candidates are successful in getting their names on the ballot, a primary will be held Feb. 20. The spring general election will be April 2. More information about the election can be found on the city’s website.

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Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA-TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Reach him at epfantz@gannett.com or connect with him on Twitter @ErikPfantz.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Doug Diny will challenge Katie Rosenberg for Wausau mayor this spring