What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
Dozens of Tomahawk residents packed into VFW Post 2687 on Wednesday night for something you don’t see every day around here — a contested mayoral race. After a decade under the same leadership, the community’s showing up to figure out who’s next.
The open Q&A session brought neighbors face-to-face with the two candidates vying to lead the city: Michael Habeck and Jeffrey Koth. It’s the kind of old-school civic engagement that makes small towns like Tomahawk tick.
Commander Robert Soward explained why the Post volunteered to host. “Our post Chaplin, Jeannette Fehr, approached me and asked me about possibly having a venue for that and I said ‘Yeah, why not? That’s what we fought for, so why not?'”
Ask folks around town what needs fixing, and you’ll hear about the roads before you finish your question. Both candidates made it clear — Tomahawk’s crumbling infrastructure isn’t getting any younger.
Habeck pointed to problems below the pavement, not just on top of it. “I think the biggest thing; our infrastructure, I think our infrastructure, not just the roads, I think our infrastructure under the roads as well, I think that’s something we need to address real soon.”
It’s a concern that hits home every spring when frost heaves turn familiar streets into obstacle courses.
Money talks in local government, and both candidates heard residents loud and clear about stretching every dollar. The city’s doing alright, they acknowledged, but there’s room to do better.
Koth put it plainly: “We wanna address the budget, I mean they’re doing a good job right now but there’s some work that could be done better, so we’re utilizing the taxpayers money better.”
The conversation touched on several priorities residents wanted addressed:
Nobody’s pretending there’s easy answers when aging infrastructure meets tight budgets.
Here’s what makes this race noteworthy — it’s the first competitive mayoral election in town since 2016. The last mayor, Steve Taskay, held the office for ten years before deciding not to run again.
Three of those campaigns? He ran unopposed. That’s how things go sometimes in small Wisconsin towns.
“They both did a wonderful job, I think they were very honest,” said VFW Post 2687 Chaplin Jeannette Fehr after the forum wrapped up.
Both Habeck and Koth are political newcomers when it comes to city office. The community’s essentially choosing between two fresh perspectives on where Tomahawk should head next.
By the time the Q&A wound down, residents had asked everything they needed to ask. Nobody left with burning questions, which probably means the candidates did their homework.
The mayoral race is grabbing headlines, but there’s more on the April 7 ballot than just the top job. Five city council seats are up for grabs, with a mix of familiar faces and returns.
District 1’s Patricia Haskin is running unopposed for reelection. Over in District 2, former alderperson Donald Nelson filed to reclaim his old seat after incumbent Dale Ernst decided not to run again.
District 3’s got some interesting dynamics. Incumbent Steve “Ding” Bartz didn’t file paperwork but might run as a write-in. Meanwhile, Tadd Wegener — who previously resigned from the position — filed to run for that same seat unopposed.
It’s the kind of musical chairs that happens in local politics when experienced folks step back and others step up.
Tomahawk voters head to the polls on April 7 to make their choice. It’s part of Lincoln County’s spring election schedule, when communities across the Northwoods handle their local races.
Between now and then, expect both candidates to keep showing up at community events and knocking on doors. That’s how you win elections around here — one conversation at a time.
The VFW forum showed something important: folks care about who’s leading their town. They’re asking tough questions about roads, budgets, and making sure Tomahawk stays a place worth calling home.
Whether you’re leaning toward Habeck or Koth, showing up on election day matters. After ten years of steady leadership, the community’s ready to write the next chapter — and that pen’s in your hand.
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.
News93 exhibitors from seven Northwoods counties gathered at Rhinelander’s annual Up North Community Expo, creating connections that strengthen the region’s business and nonprofit communities.
NewsThe Forest County Potawatomi are hosting a free snowsnake tournament March 14th at Bug Lake in Crandon, reviving an ancient winter game with competitions for all ages and abilities.
NewsUWSP Pointers men’s basketball returns to NCAA tournament after 7-year absence, bringing championship expectations and a rebuilt program culture under coach Kent Dernbach.
NewsNorthwoods Dentistry in Phillips becomes Wisconsin’s first dental practice to offer Emface, an FDA-cleared treatment for TMJ pain that requires no needles or surgery.