Sorenson ousts Vandersteen in Sheboygan mayor's race, becoming city's youngest elected mayor

Diana Dombrowski
Sheboygan Press
Mayoral challenger Ryan Sorenson waves from 14th and Erie Avenue, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis.

SHEBOYGAN - Ryan J. Sorenson was elected mayor of Sheboygan, according to unofficial election results Tuesday night.

At 27, he is the youngest mayor in the city's history.

Sorenson won with 4,417 votes, or 59%, to Mike Vandersteen's 3,113 votes, 41%.

"I'm just overwhelmed with joy and gratitude," Sorenson told The Sheboygan Press Tuesday night.

Sorenson said assembling teams and evaluating the city's plans, including on affordable housing and street repairs, were top of mind. He said Michael Vandersteen's commitment to the community was strong and that Vandersteen called to congratulate him.

“I am looking forward to working together with all of our residents of the city of Sheboygan to focus on how we can make Sheboygan even better — a community that works for everyone and where all can thrive,” Sorenson said in a statement Tuesday night.

Vandersteen was first elected mayor in 2013 and served two terms. Sorenson was first elected to the Common Council in 2017, and the council chose him as its president last June after Todd Wolf moved from the role to city administrator.

Vandersteen said in an interview Tuesday night he thought the result would be different, but that he congratulated Sorenson on his win. 

"When I moved to Sheboygan, I never thought I'd have the chance to be a mayor of a city," Vandersteen said. "It's been a great ride."

Vandersteen thanked City Hall staff for their hard work. He also noted he only had about an hour to talk with his predecessor, Terry Van Akkeren, on transitioning into the role, but that he's happy to meet more with Sorenson to set him up for success.

Ahead of the election, Vandersteen and Sorenson both discussed the need for improving Sheboygan's streets. 

SPRING ELECTION RESULTS:Click here for the latest totals in all the local races

Mayoral Incumbent Michael Vandersteen, waves to passing motorists at 14th and Erie, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Sheboygan, Wis.

In interviews leading up to the election, Vandersteen noted accomplishments during his tenure as mayor, like setting up city departments on the Nextdoor social networking service and starting the Sheboygan Insider newsletter to improve communication with residents, while Sorenson, a former UW-Milwaukee student body president, called for fresh leadership as the city emerges from the pandemic.

After graduating college, Sorenson worked for Kohler and Safe Harbor and now works for Aflac.

Contact Diana Dombrowski at 920-242-7079 or ddombrowski@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @domdomdiana.