Scott Rosenow can’t find Memorial Union.
As a new transfer student to the University of Wisconsin, the 21-year-old senior majoring in political science is still feeling his way around campus. But while Rosenow may not be too familiar with Madison, he knows the city of Neenah, Wis., backward and forward and he should; next year, he could be Neenah’s mayor.
“My first reason is just to provide people a choice,” said Rosenow, who grew up in the city of 25,000 people. “A lot of people feel like they have to choose the lesser of two evils.”
Rosenow is running against Neenah’s incumbent mayor, George Scherck, who at 65 is 44 years Rosenow’s senior. Other potential candidates, said Rosenow, include a current Neenah City Council president and a state representative, each with years of government service.
While facing the scrutiny that accompanies a campaign for public office, Rosenow has found the novelty of his age and inexperience makes him an easy target for critics. The homepage of Rosenow’s website — neenahmayor.com — is a manifesto of defenses.
“Let me start by explaining what aren’t reasons I’m running for mayor of Neenah,” Rosenow wrote. “My campaign is not for my personal ambitions, the ego stroke, the cushy, overpaid job, the prestige, or the name recognition.”
The site continues with an outline of Rosenow’s positions on city issues, including his hope to decriminalize and tax marijuana and a detailed plan for combating drunk driving that includes extending alcohol retail hours to as late as state law allows.
Rosenow explained his push to decriminalize and tax marijuana is one of his tactics for chipping away at Neenah’s projected $500,000 budget deficit next year.
“I want my campaign to at least make a statement, and educate and inform the public,” said Rosenow, a non-smoker who said he rarely drinks. “It’s a waste of money to enforce a law that’s already unjust.”
Although Rosenow backs his arguments with exhaustive research, thoughtful implementation plans and a strong distaste for the “nanny state,” he hasn’t cleared his stances of their inherent controversy. As an example, Rosenow recalled an AM radio host landing the first blow, calling Rosenow an “idiot” on air.
Yet Rosenow has his fair share of supporters. Hoping to mobilize voters, Rosenow created a Facebook group as a forum for questions and commentary, which holds over 100 members of all ages. Steve Erbach, who has run for alderman in Neenah, posted his reaction to early press on Rosenow’s campaign on his blog neenahpoltics.com.
“Yes, his likely opponents are all vastly more experienced in government,” Erbach wrote. “But that’s the classic setup for the young buck to have a big impact because the old pols underestimate his youthful energy.”
With his team of volunteer aides and advisers, Rosenow is bracing for the elections early next year. His contingency plans involve studying law, perhaps at UW. Yet while Rosenow truly believes he has a shot at victory, he ultimately aims to raise awareness and facilitate a movement.
“Even if I lose, I want the winner to incorporate a lot of my ideas,” Rosenow said. “I think it’s about time that someone made some serious change.”
