Paid for by Friends of Eric Olson
Eric Olson wants your vote in the April 2026
election for Portage County Executive
Background and Experience
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Throughout my life, I have been driven to collaboratively solve problems and make the world a
better place. I have worked for over 20 years as a university extension educator helping local
governments and nonprofit organizations carry out important natural resource protection
work. My professional training is in natural resources and local government. I have set my roots
in Portage County and live on the Wisconsin River with my wife Erin and two dogs. We enjoy
the outdoors, from snowshoeing in the winter to floating down our lazy river in the summer.
Paid for by Friends of Eric Olson
Called to Serve
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I am running for County Executive to help ensure we can all share an inclusive, participatory,
and sustainable community. I am compelled to run now out of concern that our county
government is falling behind the times and reverting to old bad habits of making decisions:
excluding the public, focusing on narrow interests, and not taking a true county-wide
perspective. My experiences have taught me that local governments succeed when they
include the voices of the people.As Portage County Executive, I will draw on all of my experiences and the hundreds of
personal connections I have developed while living here to co-create and implement
innovative solutions to our public challenges. I will be a visible and present leader who
regularly connects with a wide range of stakeholders across the county. I will be a fierce
advocate for county staff who are working to advance the public good. I will champion the use
of science and evidence-based strategies to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
Paid for by Friends of Eric Olson
Earning Your Vote
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As County Executive, I will draw on my deep experience in inclusive leadership and the
hundreds of personal connections I have developed while living in Portage County to
collaboratively create and implement innovative solutions to our public challenges. I will be a
visible and present leader who regularly connects with a wide range of stakeholders across
the county. I will be a fierce advocate for county staff who are working hard to advance the
public good. I will champion the use of science and evidence-based strategies to protect
and build the public good. I look forward to working with you and on your behalf!
