John Plageman Announces Run for Green Bay Mayor

The social worker joins the mayoral race following Mayor Eric Genrich's decision to not seek a third term.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Elections

John Plageman Announces Run for Green Bay Mayor

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Social worker John Plageman has launched his campaign for mayor of Green Bay. His entry follows the announcement that incumbent Mayor Eric Genrich will not seek a third term.

Why it matters

Plageman cited concerns over city road improvements, communication regarding the Ray Nitschke Bridge closure, and the financial stability of Newcap as central themes for his campaign.

Candidates have until January 5, 2027, to file paperwork for the ballot. The city will hold a primary election on February 16, 2027, followed by the general election on April 6, 2027.

The players

John Plageman

He is a social worker who is currently campaigning for the position of mayor of Green Bay.

Eric Genrich

He is the current mayor of Green Bay who has decided not to pursue a third term in office.

Jim Schmitt

He is a candidate for the Green Bay mayoral election.

Alyssa Proffitt

She is a candidate who has announced a campaign for the office of mayor.

The details

Plageman, who previously ran for city council in District 1 in 2026, announced his candidacy via a 17-minute video on Instagram. Other candidates who have already announced their campaigns include Jim Schmitt and Alyssa Proffitt.

John Plageman lost the District 1 city council election in 2026.
The deadline for candidates to file ballot paperwork is January 5, 2027.
A primary election is scheduled for February 16, 2027.
The general mayoral election will take place on April 6, 2027.

Political Context

Opponents or other potential candidates, such as Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Kathy Hinkfuss, may raise questions regarding Plageman's past electoral performance or specific policy critiques. The race is currently defined by the vacancy left by the incumbent and competing visions for city infrastructure management.

Residents can expect changes in city leadership priorities regarding infrastructure, such as the management of bridge closures and road repairs. Voters will need to track the official candidate list to understand the choices available for the upcoming April election.

The takeaway

The open mayoral seat in Green Bay provides residents with a significant opportunity to influence the direction of city infrastructure policies. Voters should begin researching candidate platforms early to prepare for the fast-approaching filing and election deadlines.

What happens next

Prospective candidates must complete their official filings by January 5, 2027. Should the field be large enough, a primary election will be held on February 16, 2027, ahead of the general election on April 6, 2027.