By Justin Markofski
Northside Planning
Council

While Dane County will be electing its supervisors this spring in the April election, there may be a special election for the Dane County Executive position this fall. Joe Parisi announced last October that he would be retiring from this role in May 2024, a year prior to the end of his full term. Parisi stated that his timing will allow for maximum participation in voter turnout to elect the incoming county executive since the special election will coincide with the presidential election in November 2024.

Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell stated that in order for him, as county clerk, to call a special election, Joe Parisi will have to officially resign, which has not happened yet. So while it is likely the fall special election scenario will occur, there is still a chance that something may change if Parisi changes his mind or his timing.

Should things unfold as Parisi has indicated, during the months between Parisi’s retirement this May and the special election in November, Wisconsin law states that the vacancy would be filled by someone appointed by the county board chair, presently Patrick Miles. This appointment would be subject to confirmation by the board.

Currently, three candidates have filed campaign finance registration statements for the Dane County Executive race. They are Melissa Agard, Regina Vidaver and Robert Harlow. Whoever wins the potential November special election would serve as county executive for less than one year until the spring election occurs in April 2025. The winner of that April 2025 election will then serve a full, four-year term.