City Times Staff

Portage Co. Supervisor Matt Jacowski has announced his run for county executive in 2018. 

In an email statement on Monday, Jacowski said he was beginning his campaign so far in advance because he “wants to meet all 71,000 Portage County residents”.

Jacowski, who is serving his second term on the Portage Co. Board, is a Town of Belmont native who graduated from Almond-Bancroft High School, later earning a degree in Technology and Engineering Education from UW-Stout.

Jacowski currently teaches Technology and Engineering for the Stevens Point Area Public School District, and is also involved with his fourth-generation family farm. He lives in Buena Vista with his wife and children.

During his time on the County Board, Jacowski said he’s observed a “great divide” between the board and the office of Portage Co. Executive Patty Dreier.

“All facets of county government, from the executive to the employees to the citizens, should all be working together to move Portage County forward, while making sure everyone is treated fairly,” Jacowski’s news release reads in part.

Patty Dreier has served as the Portage Co. Executive since 2010; it was not immediately known if she planned to run for re-election.