Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen Announces Retirement

"Family and friends are going to be the priority now."

At a press conference today, Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen announced his retirement is planned for April 2017.

“My people don’t work for me, they work with me,” he said Thursday. “Family and friends are going to be the priority now,” as he explained he has been a hard working individual since he joined the workforce in high school. Having a full time job throughout his time in high school, and then working even more during college, has made it difficult for him to pick up hobbies and just enjoy the simplicity of life.

Hagen told reporters that he’s an individual who has a sensitive mind set, saying “I never developed that political thick skin.” Hagen received backlash in 2015, after a Facebook comment in response to a photo of First Lady, Michelle Obama, calling President Obama a Muslim. Many called for his resignation after the incident; he responded with a formal letter apologizing for his “poor choice of words in a moment of anger.”

The incident brought to light issues of racism and poverty in the area, which allowed the community to come together for open forums.

In an interview with Dan Hanger earlier this month, Hagen said, “One reason I am excited about leaving is I am going to encourage and promote — get some younger people in this government, get some younger people in this office — different vision, more energy, different ideas. Let’s step it up. I want to see a young mayor.”

Bruce Hagen has served a total of five terms with the City of Superior. He first served as mayor from 1975 to 1987 and was reelected for a fourth term in 2011 and his fifth in 2015.