What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Every vote counts — that’s not just something politicians say up here. Rhinelander proved it this week when Mayor Kris Hanus held onto his seat by a margin so thin you could see daylight through it.
Fifteen votes. That’s what separated Hanus from challenger Tom Barnett in the April 8 mayoral race. The final tally: 798 to 783. Election officials didn’t call it until 12:30 in the morning, and you can bet folks at the Municipal Building were nursing strong coffee by then.
For a city of about 8,000 in the heart of Oneida County, that kind of razor-thin margin shows just how engaged Northwoods voters are when it comes to deciding who leads their community.
With the election settled, Hanus is rolling up his sleeves for another four years. His priorities haven’t changed much — because the work isn’t done yet.
Economic development tops the list. That means everything from getting more housing built to supporting commercial businesses and breathing new life into downtown Rhinelander.
“Everything from housing to commercial businesses to improving our downtown is something that’s gonna remain a priority,” Hanus said after the results came in.
The city’s west side needs serious attention too. Streets and utilities over there are overdue for upgrades, and Hanus says his team is already chasing grant money and loans to make it happen.
Walk past Rhinelander’s current police and fire station and you might not guess there’s trouble. But according to Hanus, the building is on its last legs.
“The building we currently have for our police and fire station is failing,” he explained. Finding a better location and building something that’ll serve the community for decades — not just years — is high on his to-do list.
It’s the kind of investment nobody gets excited about until they need it. But for a town that relies on quick emergency response across rural Oneida County roads, it matters.
“Now that we know the results of the election, we can move forward with improving our city.” — Mayor Kris Hanus
Hanus first won office back in 2022 on the strength of one issue: housing. Or rather, the lack of it.
Like a lot of Northwoods communities, Rhinelander struggles to find enough affordable places for people to live. That shortage ripples out — businesses can’t expand if workers can’t find rentals, young families leave for cities with more options, and the local economy stalls.
Hanus has worked with the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation to push housing projects forward. His retail and property management background gives him a practical angle most mayors don’t have.
Progress is happening — just slower than anyone would like. In a region where tourism drives the economy but seasonal work makes stable housing tough, there’s no quick fix.
Despite the tight margin, Hanus made a point to thank his opponent. Tom Barnett, who’ll continue serving as an alderman for two more years, ran what Hanus called a clean and fair campaign.
“I enjoyed watching this all unfold and I’m happy to work with him for the next two years,” Hanus said.
That kind of civility might sound quaint, but it’s how things tend to work in smaller Northwoods towns. You see your opponents at the grocery store, at Friday fish fries, at snowmobile club meetings. Keeping things respectful isn’t just nice — it’s practical.
The Rhinelander Common Council stays mostly intact, with longtime aldermen returning alongside newcomer Ms. Newman. Stability on the council could help Hanus push through some of those bigger projects he’s been working on since his first term.
Rhinelander isn’t just the biggest city in Oneida County — it’s an economic anchor for surrounding communities. When Rhinelander grows, towns like Eagle River, Three Lakes, and St. Germain feel it too.
Hanus’s focus on infrastructure and economic development could attract new businesses and keep young workers from leaving the region. That’s critical in an area where many small towns are watching their populations shrink and main streets empty out.
The Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, where Hanus has served, continues working on projects that bring jobs and housing to the region. More units mean more options for families, retirees moving up north, and seasonal workers who want to stay year-round.
Public-private partnerships for parks and green spaces also matter in a region where outdoor recreation isn’t just a hobby — it’s a way of life and a tourism driver. Balancing growth with preserving what makes the Northwoods special is the tightrope every local leader walks.
Hanus has four more years to deliver on promises he started making back in 2022. The housing crisis won’t solve itself. Neither will crumbling infrastructure or outdated emergency services buildings.
But with a council that mostly stayed intact and community support strong enough to overcome a 15-vote squeaker, he’s got a shot at making real progress.
For Rhinelander residents, the next four years will show whether patience and persistence can unlock what supporters call the city’s “huge potential.” For the rest of the Northwoods, it’s worth watching — because when the region’s largest town figures things out, everyone benefits.
In the meantime, if you live in Rhinelander, remember: your vote literally counted this time. All 1,581 of them did.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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