Alderman Greg Helding, who had expected to be unopposed in the Spring election, will face a write-in opponent.For 11th District voters, this election looks almost exactly like the one two years ago. The difference this time; Helding is seeking re-election to the City Council as he nears the end of his second term. Again, he is being opposed by businesswoman Gloria Rogers. Only this time she will be launching a write-in campaign.
Rogers, who has run for the alderman position for the past two terms, last week filled out papers as a write-in candidate for the district, which includes Humble Park and Georgetown.
Rogers told supporters that working with the Obama campaign has kept her from filling out the declaration of candidacy papers earlier. "In light of what has happened to the city in recent weeks, it's important that our 11th District has someone that is thinking about the neighborhood full time," she explained.
Rogers said Helding is too pre-occupied trying to become mayor of Racine rather than committing himself to the needs of the people who live in the 11th District. Helding, who was a strong supporter of the former mayor, has already announced that he will be a candidate seeking to replace Becker in a special June election.
Although Rogers' name will not appear on the ballot, she says she will be running a full-time campaign to get her message out to voters. "I plan to do all the things that I would normally do if my named would have been on the ballot," she said.
Rogers has owned and operated her business for 25 years and is an active volunteer with the Big Sisters program, Meals on Wheels, and a regular donor to the Red Cross. She also volunteers for Toys for Tots year-round and is an active member of the Democratic Party.
The election for the 11th District Alderman position will be held Tuesday, April 7.
