Former Superior city councilor Dan Olson announces run for mayor; Mayor Paine slaps back

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A well-known former Superior city councilor and council president is running for mayor in 2027.

Dan Olson signed the paperwork Monday to declare his candidacy for mayor.

Olson was on the city council from 2008 to 2020.

Superior mayoral candidate Dan Olson

He’s also a longtime labor leader and currently holds the title of International Representative for the Laborers International Union in North America (LIUNA).

If elected, Olson said he will focus on preserving tax-payer dollars and investing in infrastructure.

“I think we’ve got a good shot at it. There’s not going to be any punches against any opponent, no matter who it is. I think I bring a lot to the table being a life-long resident, and I’m pretty involved in the community, so we’re hoping that we can get the support we need,” Olson explained.

Olson said he will wait to ramp up his campaign after the upcoming spring election.

Meanwhile, Superior Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 “he can’t wait to run for re-election” and he’s ready to debate the best path forward for the city.

Superior Mayor Jim Paine

In a statement, Paine specifically called out Olson and said he wants to move Superior backward, not forward.

Below is Paine’s full statement:

“I can’t wait to run for re-election. Superior is improving for the first time in decades. We’ve restored our parks, rebuilt our streets, brought business back to downtown, improved access to our wilderness, and cleaned up the shorelines and water of Lake Superior. I look forward to debating the best path forward for Superior and welcome any challenger into the race because voters should have a clear choice. My opponent wants to take us back to the way we did things when he was in office. That didn’t work. I want to keep moving us forward. He has spent the last few years openly campaigning for foreign control of our utilities and higher rates; I’ve fought for lower rates and support local control. He opposes expanding broadband options, I helped end the monopoly and bring better and more affordable access to the internet. He fought affordable housing; I’ve worked to expand housing and protect affordability. He increased fees; I lowered them.  He fought to make the Mayor’s job part-time; I believe this is a full time job and I’m going to keep working hard every day to show the people of Superior that we really can build a city that works for everyone.”