Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen: I’m Stepping Down

Hagen: 'I Deeply Apologize To My Supporters'

Emotional, direct and confident – three words to describe Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen’s announcement Thursday that he’s stepping down from his position in April.

Hagen said he’s tired, burned out and believes young blood needs to invade the city right now.

“18 years as mayor is enough. I deeply apologize to my supporters, the citizens of Superior, for not being able to fulfill this term,” Hagen told the media Thursday morning.

“My passion is gone, I am peopled out and I am approaching 50 years in high-level stressful positions that have affected my health,” Hagen said.

With his wife, Lois, by his side, Hagen was direct in saying he’s sick of politics and the overwhelming fight with Madison and Washington, D.C., to help Superior build for the future.

“That particular point has soured me to no end,” Hagen said.

And at 70 years old, he’s realizing today’s politics and challenges are not for him anymore.

“Privacy is the leading factor of ending my career. I’ve been in the fish bowl a lot of years and … it’s wearing on me,” Hagen said.

But it’s not all gloom for Hagen.

There are accomplishments and strong pride for him, like when he found out his administration’s sales pitch to reconstruct Belknap Street was a go financially from Madison.

“That’s important for the community,” Hagen said while trying to hold back tears.

Meanwhile, from now until the end of April, Hagen says it’s work as usual at City Hall, but with a strong focus to help encourage young people to come forward to want to become the city’s next-generation mayor.

“All the torches need to be passed to young professionals that have, perhaps, a new and maybe a better vison for Superior,” Hagen said.

“Thanks to the people of Superior for supporting the community and supporting for Superior’s tomorrow,” Hagen said.

So what happens when the mayor’s seat is empty after Hagen leaves April 30th?
City Clerk Terri Kalan says it’s all up to the city council.

Councilors have the option of leaving the seat vacant for the two years of the remaining term, appoint someone to the position or hold a special election.

But that answer can’t even be discussed, Kalan says, until Hagen officially leaves.

“They can’t do anything until the seat is actually vacant. So the soonest they could ever take action is the May 2nd council meeting,” Kalan said.

According to Kalan, the only other time a mayor has left his seat early in at least the nearly 30 years she’s worked for the city was when Mayor Dave Ross left one month before his term was up to go work for Gov. Scott Walker.