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Election 2022: County Board District 9

Incumbent Dan Austad has served this district within the City of Sturgeon Bay for 19 terms, or 38 years. In his bid for a 20th term, he’s being challenged by Jonathan Kruse, who said that the COVID-19-related decision the Door County Board of Supervisors had made inspired him to run for the first time for a county board seat.

Jonathan Kruse

Jonathan Kruse

Jonathan Kruse, 52, lives in the City of Sturgeon Bay and is a senior director of sales for Torqeedo, a water-based electromobility company. He and his wife, Angie, have been married for 26 years and have three children. He previously served in an elective position on the Spooner, Wisconsin, City Council before moving to Door County 16 years ago. 

Peninsula Pulse (PP): What is your primary motivation for running for a seat on the county board?

Jonathan Kruse (JK): Chapter 38: Emergency Declaration by County Board and Authority & Duties of Local Health Officer. In my opinion, this was done in haste, giving the county health officer too much power and having the state of Wisconsin dictate what COVID-19 policies would be implemented. Door County was one of the first counties in the state to adopt the language written by Gov. Evers’ office, which was not in the best interest of the citizens of Door County.

PP: Please describe your leadership style.

JK: I take on a “democratic” style of leadership. This isn’t just “my county” – it’s all of ours. The Door County Board of Supervisors seems to be more autocratic, and I would hope to be able to represent and bring in other opinions without making quick, uninformed decisions. I also would follow the law and the state’s Constitution and not use loopholes to bypass the Wisconsin Supreme Court like what was done with the emergency declaration.

PP: What experience do you have that would make you good in an elected office in general, and for the county board specifically?   

JK: I have now lived in Door County for 16 years. I have seen much change in those 16 years – some good and some bad. I work as a sales manager in the marine industry, selling green electric boat-propulsion systems, and I travel quite extensively, which has allowed me to literally be in every community in the U.S. that has shipyards, marinas and waterfront developments, all very similar to Door County. I have seen what works and what doesn’t work in these communities. 

Prior to moving to Sturgeon Bay, we lived in Spooner, Wisconsin, where I was a member of the Spooner City Council. Locally, I have served on the board of trustees for seven years with St. John Bosco Catholic School, and I was the commodore for two years at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club. I am very proud of the boards on which I have served.

PP: What would be changed, fixed, solved or made better if you were elected to the board? How would your new presence make a meaningful difference?

JK: Being a board member is a representative position, and I take that very seriously. I would listen to the constituents of District 9 and engage in respectful dialogue. We may not agree on all matters, but being respectful is key. I would also follow the letter of the law and the state’s Constitution. I would really like to see how the county board can help the lack-of-housing situation we have here. When I drive to the airport early in the morning and see all the commuters from Green Bay who work in Sturgeon Bay, I know that they could be residents of Door County but can’t be due to no affordable housing available.

PP: What is something that few people know about you (and now more will)?

JK: I have been a resident of Sturgeon Bay for 16 years and have loved every day of it. We [he and his wife, Angie] have three children who have enjoyed being raised in this wonderful community. I have worked in the marine industry for 32 years, which brought me here to Door County.

Dan Austad

Dan Austad

Dan Austad, 80, lives in Sturgeon Bay. He has an administration degree from Madison Business College in 1964 and is the previous owner of Door County Ace Hardware and a retired firefighter with the Sturgeon Bay Fire Department. He has been married to Jean for 54 years, and they have four children, eight grandchildren and a grandson-in-law. 

Peninsula Pulse (PP): How many terms have you served, and why do you want to continue to serve on the county board? 

Dan Austad (DA): I have served for 19 terms. Since the county board changes quite fast, I can bring to the table why we made the decisions we did on a number of wide-ranging issues and topics. I want to continue to share my experience.

PP: Please describe your leadership style and how that style has effectively served your constituents.

DA: I lead by being a consensus builder, by trying to get a majority to agree on an issue, so as not to end up in a gridlock.

PP: What are the most important things you’ve accomplished while in office? 

DA: While no one does everything by him or herself, I have been on county boards that have accomplished a number of things over the years: building the Justice Center with the jail and Sheriff’s Department, building the Aging and Disability Resource Center, and remodeling the Government Center. The board also expanded the Emergency Services of Door County so the paramedics are stationed at EMS locations in Sister Bay, Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay. A 911 system was also implemented.

PP: What within the county needs to be changed, fixed, solved or made better? 

DA: Trying to stay within the state levy limits and maintaining the great services that the county now provides. The board can always make things better. When an issue comes up that needs to be addressed, the board will deal with it if the issue lies within the responsibility of the board.

PP: What is something that few people know about you (and now more will)?

DA: People may not know that my hobby is woodworking. I built a steering wheel for a steamboat that is at Disney World in Orlando, and another is displayed in the Door County Maritime Museum.