Shirley M. Simonis announced she will run for re-election as Portage County clerk. Simonis is currently serving her third term as county clerk and previously served as the deputy county clerk. If enough candidates file papers to warrant a primary election, it will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“My years of service as county clerk have provided me with the knowledge, qualifications and experience to carry out the duties of this office,” Simonis said. “I continue to seek new ways to improve the quality of service and availability of information in my office. I keep myself well informed on new state laws and county policy revisions so I may better serve my constituents.

“The University of Wisconsin Certified Public Manager Program has provided me with specific skills to execute my duties as a public manager,” she said. “Continuing education classes and ongoing training, provided by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board through the Wisconsin County Clerk’s Association, provides me the cumulative knowledge and qualifications to implement the statutory duties as county clerk.

“With the tough economic times facing all levels of government, it is a top priority for me to maintain the highest level of efficiency while demonstrating fiscal responsibility as county clerk,” she said. “I ask the voters to allow me to continue to serve them as county clerk for another four-year term.”

Simonis is a lifelong resident of Portage County, has been married to her husband Barry for 39 years and has two adult daughters. She is a member of the Portage County Democratic Party, Wisconsin County Clerk’s Association and serves as vice-chair of the Wisconsin County Clerk’s Association Vital Records Committee.

She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Certified Public Manager Program and Portage County Leadership.