Fennimore will elect a new mayor in the upcoming 2026 spring election as current Mayor Ryan Boebel has decided he will not be seeking reelection.
Boebel has been Fennimore’s mayor since 2016, succeeding Charles “Chuck” Stenner after his second term in office. Boebel had been on the Fennimore City Council for two years before being elected the city’s mayor.
“It’s been 10 years, a nice even number,” Boebel stated when explaining his decision not to run for reelection. “Time for some new blood in the position.”
“It’s been a good ride and I appreciate being able to serve my community,” Boebel went on to say.
Boebel stated some of the highlights during his 10 years as mayor include the new pool construction, which was in progress when he was elected, as well as the expanded TID (Tax Incremental District) that brought in the new Bender’s Foods site, as well as the site and the building that currently houses Krantz Auto Parts.
The majority of city codes were updated during Boebel’s tenure.
Another accomplishment Boebel looked back on was a recent one, the 240 acres of land for future development the city acquired by the former Energizer plant. “The City had been trying to acquire more land for development since before my time,” Boebel explained. “I was lucky enough to be in the chair when it finally happened.”
“Some people tell me the subcontracting of our garbage pickup was a great accomplishment, but that’s mostly due to the bigger bins,” Boebel joked.
“But none of this would have been possible without the city council,” Boebel explained. “I’ve always had a great council and great people in my 10 years. I just provided guidance.”
If anyone is interested in running for mayor, there will be paperwork to fill out, which includes getting at least 50 signatures. The required paperwork can be picked up at the city clerk’s office in the Memorial Building.
The forms must be completed and returned to the city clerk’s office by Jan. 6, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Additionally, if anyone has any questions on the position itself, Boebel said any potential candidates can contact him by e-mail at mayor@fennimore.com or phone (608) 485-2206.
Also up for reelection in 2026 are city council members Jonah Roth - 1st Ward; Sarah Kretschman - 2nd Ward; Marc Chiefari - 3rd Ward; and Pete Adam - 4th Ward.
The spring election will be Tuesday, April 7, 2026, which Boebel will stay on through before “passing the baton” over to the next mayor, most likely after April’s regular council meeting, with the new mayor heading that month’s council organizational meeting.
