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 Trenton Town Board has two seats open: Supervisor III Randy Christiansen* is running unopposed, while the Supervisor IV seat will be a race between challenger Ozmond John Boigenzahn and Chris Truttmann*.

Supervisor III

Randy Christiansen* did not respond to the emailed questionnaire.

Supervisor IV

Name: Ozmond John Boigenzahn

Occupation/profession: Mailman

Previous elected positions: None

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? Boy Scouts (roadside cleanup, visiting nursing home, fundraising)

Why are you running for the town board? I want to represent the people of Trenton and their interests. From a young age I did not feel we as a country were going in the right direction. For a long time, I have wanted to hold public office and have influence on how government, both local and national, impacts our lives. I believe a good first step in that goal is to represent to the working people of Trenton. That is why I'm running.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? I'm a great communicator. I'm also good at listening more than I speak. My goal in any public office I may hold one day is to the best of my ability to understand and represent my constituents, regardless of if they voted for me or not. I'm also young. At 26, I'm at an age where I can remember a world before cell phones and social media and also know what it's like to be growing up completely surrounded and influenced by these technologies. I also did not go to college, which isn't often represented in public office.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? A lack of community center. We don't have a library. I know Ellsworth has one, but it would be nice to have a place to go that isn't a bar. It would be great to have more things you don't have to go to another town to do.

What are the strengths of the township? I think the amount of businesses we have and the number of people they employ for such a small area is a good strength. There is a general sense of community. People get along and you always know there's someone you can call if you need help with something.

Why should people vote for you? I support our workers who allow our local businesses to run and grow. I'm pro worker, pro farmer, and pro small business. I will not support anything that has a negative impact on farmers. I will not support any sound ordinances on farming. I do not support data centers. I also support the expansion of Medicare to every age group and the abolition of most private health insurance companies. A third of our healthcare dollars get spent on just running all these different insurance companies. If you cut them out, we will save on administrative costs and also greatly expand the risk pool. I know that's not something that has to do with the town board, but if we want to do anything as a nation, or even a small community like Trenton, we need to be in the best health we can be. That can't happen with our current costs of healthcare.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I enjoy the general peacefulness of the area. The nature is beautiful when you get out to drive around. I have lived in Hager City since 2019.

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'll do what I think I often do best and listen. It's less about what I think and more about what the people of Trenton think. From my time working behind a counter, I can handle people telling me something is wrong and deciding if it is actually something that is wrong. I want to represent the majority of people and their interests. I want living and working in Trenton to be the best it can be.

How can you be reached? 715-220-3703 ozmondjohn@gmail.com

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Name:

Name: Chris Truttmann*

Occupation/profession: Farmer and caregiver

Previous elected positions: Trenton Town Board Supervisor #4 beginning 2020

In what community/civic activities/organizations have you been involved? In addition to being a supervisor on the Trenton Town Board, one member of the board is appointed to be on the Trenton Plan Commission. I've been a Plan Commission member since 2020. I attend meetings of the Pierce County Land Management and Wisconsin Towns Association. I'm a member of the Trenton Cemetery Association and serve as the treasurer since 2006. I was a lifetime, active member of Laurel Presbyterian Church in Hager City until the church closed November 2020, having served as youth leader, pianist, clerk, and maintenance. I now attend and actively participate at Bethel Covenant Church.

Why are you running for the town board? I enjoy giving to our community. I attended the Trenton Town Board meetings for three years prior to being elected in 2020. I became interested in wanting to make positive changes in our township. I hope our residents have seen that I am able to relate to their concerns.

What skills/values do you possess that you feel would be valuable in public office? Being a member of the Town Board allows me to participate with our neighbors on a different level. In working to find an answer to a township resident's question, I often learn something new myself. I believe in common sense and I like analyzing our options. I support our township's Comprehensive Plan which guides our decisions for personal and business construction, as well as protecting natural areas and our environment. It is important to be consistent in development to avoid complications for our future. One example of analyzing our options and protecting our natural areas has been discussed numerous times over the past 10 years, by multiple Town Board members. It has been proposed to generate income by creating camping areas on FEMA property in our township. Although the topic sounds positive, executing and maintaining this project would be costly and challenging. From June 2016 through May 2019, detailed investigation of this topic by the Town Board ended with a vote of four to one to abandon the campground proposal. The Town Board had invested time and money into this project but recognized it wasn't feasible. This topic has surfaced again. Numerous negative factors of a project like this can be noted, such as preparing and upkeep of the vacated FEMA property, flooding, erosion due to clearing vegetation, eliminating shoreline habitat, additional work for our maintenance employee, and stress on our roads, just to name a few. The cost continues to outweigh the profit.

What are the biggest challenges faced by the township? How can you help? One of our biggest challenges is the conditions of our township buildings. We have a good Town Board that takes the time to research options and are realistic in our basic needs. We are looking for the best way to be financially responsible in order to have limited impact on our residents. I truly hope our residents will take the time to look at the Town Hall when voting and check out our concerns. Our Town Hall is a 1912 schoolhouse that is owned by the Ellsworth School District. We have maintained this building for many years. There are no bathrooms or running water which creates difficulties with long meetings or for all day elections. Our town clerk and treasurer work from their homes because the Town Hall lacks any ability for offices and storage. When the time comes when the township no longer uses the schoolhouse, this building becomes the responsibility of the Ellsworth School District. Trenton Township owns two shop buildings, one of which is over 100 years old, it is in very poor condition and is small for our current equipment. The large shop building requires maintenance repairs, whereas the small building needs replacement. The large shop building has no water supply. This is a condensed version to start the conversation. There is more information to come. Simple question - do we spend township money towards our future or continue to invest in short-term fixes?

What are the strengths of the township? Trenton township has a lot to offer. We have residential, businesses, industries, and agriculture, but we also have the BNSF railroad, the Mississippi and Trimbelle rivers, and the Wisconsin Great River Road Highway 35, some of which promote tourism to our area. Our proximity to Red Wing, the Twin Cities, and Rochester, Minn. encourage people to live here.

Why should people vote for you? I am completing my sixth year on the Trenton Town Board. I appreciate the experience of working with our Town Board members as we make decisions that will impact our residents. Our current Town Board has managed several topics during the past year, tackling tough subjects, handling overdue projects, working hard for the residents of Trenton. We are seeing positive changes. Why vote for me? I pay attention to details and have taken this responsibility seriously. I have experience, dedication, and a positive attitude. I enjoy serving the residents of Trenton. Thank you for your support.

What is your favorite part of living in this township? How long have you lived here? I am a lifetime resident of Trenton Township. My husband Tim's family homesteaded in 1865 at the location where Tim and I live. Both of our families were well-known, respected, and were active in this community. Owning a farm along the Trimbelle River and enjoying the view from our bluff land, known as Skidmore Bluff, we are overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this area. The history from both families, the future for our sons and grandchildren, and the genuine friendships within our community, are true reasons I can't imagine living anywhere else.

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? Some topics might create a division of opinions and it is important to understand the views of our residents. It is also necessary to know that the Town Board is required to abide by certain restrictions when making decisions. Yes, there will be opportunities to research, discuss, analyze, use common sense, and listen, but the Town Board is given guidelines, such as our Comprehensive Plan, ordinances, and statutes, to name a few examples, that the Town Board is required to follow.

How can you be reached? trenton4ct@gmail.com or landline: 715-792-2185