Johanna Edwards is the new Ward 3 representative in the city of Weyauwega.
Her appointment to the Common Council took place during the council’s April 16 reorganizational meeting.
The council voted unanimously to appoint Edwards to the vacant seat.
Edwards ran as a write-in candidate for that seat in the April 2 election.
Mike Kempf was the incumbent who represented that district.
In the April 2 election, he was a candidate for the Ward 3 council seat, while he was also a candidate for mayor.
Kempf won both races and chose the mayoral position.
He won the mayoral race, after receiving 150 votes to incumbent Don Morgan’s 131 votes.
In the Ward 3 race, he received 55 votes, while Edwards received 33 votes.
As a result of Kempf choosing to be mayor, when he was installed mayor during the April 16 reorganizational meeting, the Ward 3 council seat he had held was then vacant.
Edwards attended the reorganizational meeting and was on the agenda under the “citizen appearances” item.
“I spoke to the council as a citizen,” she said. “I told the council I wanted to state officially that I would like to serve and be considered.”
A discussion about the vacant Ward 3 seat was a later item on the agenda.
City Administrator Patrick Wetzel said, “When it came to fill the vacancy, I said it was up to them. I didn’t give any recommendation.”
Immediately appointing someone was an option, he said.
“The council unanimously voted to appoint her,” Wetzel said. “She was sworn in, and she took her seat.”
Edwards decided to run as a write-in candidate in the spring election after a number of city residents approached her about running for the seat.
She described the 33 votes she received as “quite a turnout for my little write-in campaign.”
Edwards grew up in rural Weyauwega and purchased a home in the city in 2006. She has lived in the Weyauwega area for more than 25 years.
She is a graduate of Fox Valley Lutheran High School and of Concordia University in Mequon, with a degree in nursing.
Edwards worked in the nursing field from 2005 to 2010. Today, she is self employed as a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant.
On being appointed to the council, she said, “I’m just excited about the opportunity. I think right now, Weyauwega has a very strong council.”
Edwards joins Donna Allenstein, Bruce Brunner, Nick Gunderson, Scott Rasmussen and Jim Zandrow on the council.
Gunderson and Zandrow were elected to seats on the council on April 2. Both were unopposed.
During the April 16 reorganizational meeting, Gunderson was elected council president.
Edwards said those serving on the Common Council have great personalities.
“I’m looking forward to being part of that team,” she said. “My biggest goal will always be to act on behalf of the community for their best interest.”