2023 Outagamie County Executive election

Last updated

2023 Outagamie County Executive election
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 2019April 4, 20232027 
  Tom Nelson Wisconsin (cropped).jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Tom Nelson Kevin Sturn
Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan
Popular vote28,81523,018
Percentage55.59%44.41%

County Executive before election

Tom Nelson
Nonpartisan

Elected County Executive

Tom Nelson
Nonpartisan

The 2023 Outagamie County Executive election took place on April 1, 2023, following a primary election on February 18, 2023, to select the County Executive of Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Incumbent County Executive Tom Nelson, who had been unopposed for re-election in 2015 and 2019, ran for re-election to his fourth term. He was challenged by two opponents: County Supervisor Justin Krueger, and former County Supervisor Kevin Sturn. [1] In the primary election, Nelson placed first, winning 52 percent of the vote, and Sturn placed second with 30 percent, advancing to the general election against Nelson. [2]

Contents

In the general election, Nelson campaigned on his record as County Executive, and pointed to his success in stabilizing the county budget and the growth of the Appleton International Airport. Sturn attacked Nelson for being away from the job while he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022, and argued that he was responsible, as finance chair of the County Board of Supervisors, for the county's financial strength. [3]

Nelson ultimately defeated Sturn by a wide margin, winning re-election with 56 percent of the vote. [4]

Primary election

Candidates

Results

Primary election [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Tom Nelson (inc.) 14,472 52.19%
Nonpartisan Kevin Sturn 8,274 29.84%
Nonpartisan Justin Krueger4,98117.96%
Total votes27,727 100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Outagamie County Executive election [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Tom Nelson (inc.) 28,815 55.59%
Nonpartisan Kevin Sturn23,01844.41%
Total votes51,833 100.00%

References

  1. Behnke, Duke (January 4, 2023). "Spring elections: Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson faces two challengers, forcing primary". The Post-Crescent . Appleton, Wisconsin . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  2. Meyer, Brady (February 21, 2023). "Nelson, Sturn advance in Outagamie County executive race". Fox 11 News . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  3. Zimmerman, Jason (February 21, 2023). "Fierce rivalry sparks fiery race for county executive in Outagamie County". WBAY . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  4. Voight, Sophia (April 4, 2023). "Tom Nelson defeats Kevin Sturn to win fourth term as Outagamie County executive". The Post-Crescent . Appleton, Wisconsin . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  5. Voight, Sophia (December 2, 2022). "Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson seeks fourth term in office". The Post-Crescent . Appleton, Wisconsin . Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  6. "Sturn announces run for Outagamie County Executive". WBAY . August 1, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  7. "On the record with Outagamie County Executive candidates". NBC 26 News . February 16, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  8. "2023 Spring Primary Election - 2/21/2023 - OUTAGAMIE COUNTY". Outagamie County Clerk. 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  9. "OUTAGAMIE COUNTY - 2023 Spring Election". Outagamie County Clerk. April 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2025.