Red, white and blue
Sheboygan Mayor Ryan wins recall primary, will face Van Akkeren
SHEBOYGAN - Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan has survived the first step of retaining his seat through a recall election process, winning a recall election primary.
He took about 33 percent of the vote, while former State Representative Terry Van Akkeren finished second with 26 percent.
The two of them will face off in a run-off election on February 21st.
"We have a seven-point margin over my closest opponent, (which) happens to be the same opponent I ran against three years ago," said Ryan.
"We won that election 60-40 (percent) and I aim to do the same thing again."
"We need a new direction in Sheboygan and put all the turmoil and the problems behind us, and I think I have the integrity, the leadership and the stability to do that," explained Van Akkeren.
Ryan told TODAY'S TMJ4's Annie Scholz that he felt confident throughout Tuesday.
"We're getting a lot of thumbs up, a lot of cars honking their horns I feel good," said Ryan.
But Van Akkeren told Newsradio 620 WTMJ's Gene Mueller that the percentage of people who didn't vote for Ryan should send a message.
"That means 67% of the people voted against Bob Ryan. 67% of the people believe Bob Ryan should be replaced, and we should be taking this city in a different direction," claimed Van Akkeren.
"Do we wan to continue the road that Bob Ryan has put us down in the last three years or...somebody who will bring stability, leadership and integrity back to the mayor's office?"
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