July 24, 2017 at 1:39 p.m.
Michalsen moving to Marshfield
Resignation as Lake Tomahawk town supervisor effective Aug. 31
Michalsen moving to Marshfield
His opponent in that assembly race was incumbent Republican Rob Swearingen.
On July 11, Michalsen, in an interview with The Times, said the June 30 article stating he was "the unsuccessful candidate" perturbed him.
"Even though I didn't win, and that is unsuccessful, I think I was pretty successful being that I just, at the spur of the moment, in May of 2016, decided to run against a worthy opponent who I respect greatly and didn't really have any backing from the Democratic Party," he said. "I didn't really have a campaign manager, had some help here and there, but for what I did for my students and as a teacher, coach and advisor and running a campaign and percentage wise, outperforming Hillary Clinton and Russ Feingold in this area, one of the most conservative 'red' areas in the entire nation, I was fine with almost getting to 40 percent. To me, it was a success, even though I didn't win. I think I did well for the community."
Michalsen was first elected to the town board in 2015 and ran unopposed for re-election this spring.
He said growing up, he never thought he would run for office.
"However, as a political science and social studies education major, I really enjoy the aspects of it," Michalsen said. "I think I had a voice and characteristics to not be just so one-sided and see both sides of the story."
Michalsen said he plans to participate in the August meeting of the Lake Tomahawk Town Board, his resignation not taking effect until Aug. 31.
He is a Lake Tomahawk native, graduated from Lakeland Union High School 10 years ago and has been a social studies teacher there the past four and a half years.
Michalsen is moving to Marshfield, where he will be an alternative education and alternative social studies teacher with the Marshfield Alternative High School.
"Basically, it's an interview process for these students who are upperclassmen and want ... not an alternative way of learning but to gain a diploma," he said. "They're motivated still but they might just come from lower socio-economic backgrounds and have some issues within the actual day-to-day rigamarole of the senior high. I'm very excited about the opportunity. It's good growth for me."
As for any future political aspirations, Michalsen said he'll take it "one day at a time."
"Maybe I'll get involved in Marshfield," he said. "Right now, I just want to grow professionally as an educator."
Brian Jopek may be reached via email at [email protected].
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