Editor Marc Eisen appraises what he calls "the most intriguing mayoral election of the past 10 years," with incumbent Joe Sensenbrenner facing a challenge from former mayor Paul Soglin. He writes that the starkest differences are matters of style: "Sensenbrenner's deliberate - some say indecisive - managerial approach is pitted against Soglin's assertive - some say abrasive - political leadership." The incumbent touts his administration's embrace of the quality and productivity movement. "I'm tighter with the dollar," he contends. Counters Soglin, "Joe sits and whines there is no state and federal money, but then he waits three years before applying for a DNR grant for a pilot recycling program. It gets me irritated." Sensenbrenner responds that "Paul's proud of all his fights, but then somebody had to put the pieces back together to get the county to take welfare, to get bus service to MATC, to get 911. I worked those things through - that's my track record - and he didn't." Voters elect Soglin 57% to 43%.
Indecisive vs. abrasive
From the Isthmus archives, March 24, 1989