The Pierce County Journal composed and sent out election questionnaires to all candidates running in local races, including Pierce County Board, village boards, school boards, city councils, one municipal judge race and three town board races. We tried to craft the questions in order to allow for citizens to get to know candidates and how they feel about local issues, which affect residents in their everyday lives.

The questionnaires were sent by email to candidates almost three weeks ago. For those who did not respond, they were sent two reminder emails. If they did not respond, that is noted below.

Incumbents are marked with an asterisk *. These are the people you will see on your April 7, 2026 ballot.

To find your local polling place, which will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, visit https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot or contact the municipality directly.

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The River Falls Town Board has two seats up for election; Supervisors III and IV. Joe Mahoney* is running unopposed for Supervisor III, while Brad Mogen* is being challenged by Jerome Rodewald for Supervisor IV’s seat.

Supervisor III

Name: Joe Mahoney*

Occupation/profession: Retired

Previous elected positions (if any): Supervisor 3

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? I have served on the Board of Reviews, the Planning commission, as head of the parks department, and as head of the recycling center.

Why are you running for the town board? To help meet our mission statement and do what's best for our township.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? Ran my own business for 40 years and have worked with the township for 20+ years.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Taxes and roads are challenging, and I would like to keep us within our budget.

What are the strengths of the township? We have a lot of good people who are trying to do what is best for our township.

Why should people vote for you? Currently I have over 10 years of experience as Supervisor 3.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? The rural setting is my favorite and the proximity to the Twin Cities is a plus. I have lived here for over 35 years.

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? I would listen to all sizes, look at the facts and make an informed decision that is best for the township being fair and impartial.

How can you be reached? I can be reached at a Town meeting or my email torsup3@gmail.com

Supervisor IV

Name: Brad D. Mogen*

Occupation/profession: Retired/taught in the Biology Department at UWRF for 26 years.

Previous elected positions: Supervisor 4

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? I have devoted time to the town for close to 30 years. I was elected Supervisor in 2007 after serving on the Town's Planning Commission. I recently created and now serve as Chair for the Town Roads Committee to expand resident involvement into prioritizing town road projects and budget. Road maintenance is the town's greatest budget expenditure and will continue to be the biggest challenge we face moving forward. I am also on the Town's Extraterritorial Zoning (ETZ) Committee, Cemetery Committee, and Chair of the Facilities Planning Committee. I have served on the Parks Committee and am currently on an ad-hoc committee to review the town's ordinances for clarity and intent.

Why are you running for the town board? I have always believed it important to serve, in some manner, your local community. Given that I did not grow up in the town, being active in town government has allowed me to get to know many of our residents and to recognize challenges facing the town.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I'm a strategic thinker and am receptive to compromise on alternative points of view. I am using AI tools to help the town identify potential liabilities that exist in our town code and am working to rectify them. I have a fairly strong tech background and use that knowledge to make the town more efficient. I have no hidden agenda and am honored the town residents have placed their faith in me for all these years. I believe it's valuable to have the type of institutional history I bring to the table. It's important at the local level to be committed to the job but not take criticism personally and enjoy working with my colleagues.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? Perhaps our biggest challenge is planning for future growth. The town sits adjacent to the City of River Falls which is expanding, largely to the north, but eventually to the south toward us. At some point honest, and possibly difficult, discussions between the city and town will have to occur. It's unclear when that will happen, but the town's location and beauty is simply too attractive to keep us insulated forever.

We also have to recognize the changes in regional agriculture. Our Comprehensive Plan strongly supports the preservation of agricultural activities and family farms. The question becomes, what exactly is a family farm anymore? Does the changing nature of farming still meet the expectations envisioned by our residents and those who helped write our Comprehensive Plan? I spend a great deal of time thinking about, discussing and often debating these issues with town residents. I certainly don't have the answers, but want to hear multiple opinions to help make informed decisions.

Another challenge is our town's budget. State shared revenue has not kept up with the increasing costs of road maintenance and employee wages. Navigating and prioritizing a shrinking budget in the face of increased inflation will only become more difficult and frustrating in the absence of meaningful State relief. I bring strategic prioritization, grant-writing experience, and procedural efficiencies of town resources to help address these needs.

What are the strengths of the township? Collegiality and diversity of political opinion. I love the fact that the town is split politically and we can have honest and collegial discussions expressing diverse points of view. We are strategically located and geographically beautiful. Those features make it a wonderful place to live but also a desirable place to move to. It's important to manage controlled growth and find ways to encourage young families to become a part of our community.

Why should people vote for you? Town residents have had close to 30 years to evaluate my performance and commitment. I fully understand that most families are too busy running their day-to-day lives to pay particular attention to the workings of their local town government. Honestly, as long as potholes are filled, roads are maintained and plowed in a timely manner so folks can get to work, and taxes are kept low and tax dollars carefully spent, most of us are quite happy to trust the details of how this all happens to their elected officials. I encourage everyone to simply ask around. Talk to the folks who either work with me at the town level or are aware of the contributions I have made. If, after doing their homework, residents are dissatisfied and feel there is a better choice, vote for my opponent.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? We have lived the dream in our town. Our family moved here almost 35 years ago after spending time in the Twin Cities, Fargo, ND, Lexington, Ky. and Wheaton, Md. Kim and I have been blessed beyond measure to have had the privilege of being able to both have fulfilling careers teaching at UWRF, raised two sons who attended outstanding River Falls schools and WI universities, while developing lasting community ties and friendships. It's difficult to find anything to seriously complain about given how lucky we feel we've been.

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? Fortunately, our town has not yet faced any of these controversies. At the end of the day, all you can do is listen to both sides of the debate, evaluate which decision you feel will best serve the town and be able to defend your choice. There is rarely a single best answer and opinions will always be divided, but hopefully not become acrimonious. It's understandable why many local officials choose to abandon public service when controversial issues become either partisan or personal. Most of us simply want to serve to the best of our ability for the betterment of the community as it certainly isn't for the glory or pay. Vilifying others for their beliefs that conflict with your own makes it very difficult to identify common ground and reach compromised solutions.

How can you be reached? Feel free to call and leave a voicemail at 651-303-9028. My personal email is Brad.D.Mogen@gmail.com. If you contact me via email, please include a phone number as it's often easier to address questions by talking directly.

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Name: Jerome Rodewald

Occupation/profession: Retired ECOLAB Manager

Previous elected positions: None

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? Member South Kinni Farmer Led Watershed. American Legion, St. Bridget Church. Past President River Falls Sportsman's Club, Past President River Falls Area Hospice, Retired Pierce County Fair Superintendent, Past President St. Croix Valley Beekeepers, Former 4-H & Boy Scout Leader.

Why are you running for the town board? I believe my experience in management and leadership at ECOLAB where I was Plant Manager of a chemical plant and then of a packaging plant while negotiating contracts for millions of dollars of supply, gave me experience in leadership and human development.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I believe the skills that were successful in my 12 ECOLAB promotions are the same skills that will be needed for Town Supervisor 4.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? I see major future challenges in clean drinking water, soil erosion, mega farms with not enough land for manure management, mega data centers, interface with the City of River Falls, obsolete rules in the Extraterritorial Zone of the City. I think my 19 years as Zoning Administrator gives me insight to address these challenges. My experience in budgeting and budget performance at ECOLAB will assist the Town.

What are the strengths of the township? The Town of River Falls is a lovely place to live. Rural character is the strength of the Town as laid out in the 2005 Vision Statement and supported in the 2025 VISION STATEMENT. I was on the committees that developed the 2005 and 2025 Vision Statements.

Why should people vote for you? I have the EXPERIENCE through my ECOLAB positions to help the Town of River Falls meet future challenges. We cannot predict future challenges, but my successful completion of past opportunities should provide direction. I've "been there - done that" many times before. I am fiscally conservative and hope to help the taxpayers of the Town of River Falls get the most "bang for their buck,"

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? We have lived in the Town of River Falls 45 years. I helped build our house when our six children were in high school and college. All but one of the six have moved back to the area. We have wildlife that visit our yard and neighbors close. We have planted acres of wildflowers for our honeybees (co-owner RODEWALD HONEY) and we enjoy the changing seasons.

Elected officials often faces strong public opinions on social media and at meetings. How would you approach decisions when the community is divided on an issue? As the Town Zoning Administrator FOR 19 YEARS, I faced strong opinions several times. I listen carefully to what people have to say and never attack them personally. I try to understand their point of view. If we cannot agree on a problem, I try to leave them with the understanding that we agree to disagree.

How can you be reached? Email jrodewald63@gmail.com or phone 715-307-1774