City Times Staff

STEVENS POINT — District 8 Alderperson Cathy Dugan has withdrawn her name from re-election for the coming Feb. 20 primary.

In a short letter to the editor, Dugan wrote the following:

I, Cathy Dugan, Alderperson for District 8 in the City of Stevens Point, have withdrawn my name from re-election in the February 20 primary election (and in the April 3 spring election).

However, it is likely my name will appear on the primary ballot, according to City Clerk John Moe.

Sincerely,
Cathy Dugan

In a message on Facebook, Dugan wrote:

“In the final months of my term as alderperson, I will continue to work hard for my constituents in District 8, and for all city residents.”

Update: Dugan has released a statement regarding specific details surrounding her eventual departure from her alder seat.

“As I soon will tell my constituents in District 8, I have withdrawn from the February 20 primary election because there is not enough time to gather the resources necessary to run a successful campaign against two challengers. A short, intense campaign as this one would be needs people – the chief resources – able to spend hours every week raising money, knocking on doors, creating and distributing literature, making phone calls, writing letters, and more. 

Unfortunately, there just isn’t enough time or energy to organize the resources essential to running a good campaign. For my April 2016 spring election, January was the month of preparation.   During January, I assembled a “kitchen cabinet,” and with their help, developed a message, raised money, recruited volunteers, designed and printed campaign literature, created yard signs, and much more.  

Then, in February and March 2016 we took action: knocked on doors, sent mailings, spoke at forums, wrote letters, made phone calls, dropped literature, and more. Obviously, my supporters and I would have cut the amount of work for this year’s primary election. 

Still, even a short, intense campaign requires the resources to prepare and take action. There wasn’t enough time to tap those resources.”