A new Marquette County clerk will be elected Tuesday, as either Democrat Donna Seddon of rural Buffalo or Republican Steve Sell of Oxford will take over for longtime office-holder Jim Thalacker.

Thalacker, who is not seeking another term, was elected in 1996 and has served six terms. His successor will take over the position in January.

The race is the only major one taking place solely in Marquette County on Tuesday.

Both candidates said they seek the position for similar reasons.

"I've been retired from the state for three years," Sell said. "While this has been enjoyable, I miss being with people. This position gives me a chance to get back involved with Marquette County."

Sell served three terms as Marquette County sheriff starting in 1989.

Seddon is clerk for the town of Buffalo, a position she has held for four years. She was deputy county clerk for two years until budget cuts this year.

"I really enjoy helping people of my community and the county," Seddon said.

The clerk's office administers county elections, a task that absorbs a lot of time. The clerk also administers the County Board, maintaining its records.

Both candidates have goals they'd like to pursue if elected.

"I want to offer all the services the clerk currently offers to all of the municipalities," Seddon said. "I want to offer my skills to the county to reduce costs. I want to see if there's anything I can do to help the county in this budget crisis."

Seddon said she has worked with budgets at both the county and town level. She has 25 years of experience in purchasing and administration through her work within the town of Buffalo, Marquette County and at the Penda and TriEnda corporations in Portage. She also is a member of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association.

"I don't have any immediate changes for the position," Sell said. "But I would ask the county administrator if there is anything else my office, or I, could do to make the clerk's office and the county more efficient."

Sell said he has no clerk experience, but he has 10 years of management experience at the local, county and state level. He served as executive director of the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance in 1994 under then-Gov. Tommy Thompson. He has also served as division administrator with Wisconsin Emergency Management and as an administrative lieutenant with the Wisconsin State Patrol.

His management experience extends to the local level, previously serving as supervisor and chairman of the town of Oxford and secretary/treasurer for the Oxford Fire District. He is a state-certified public manager. Additionally, he and his wife Julia, manage a Curves facility in Portage.

Both candidates have large public service resumes that they feel makes them the better candidate for the position.

"I have always taken great pride in my ability to work with people in an open and caring manner," Sell said. "I work well in pressure situations. I strongly feel that I'm a people person and I'm hanging my hat on the fact that I'm been a county servant since 1982."

"I have experience as county clerk and I have a general concern for the community," Seddon said. "I also believe that I did my job well enough to be elected president of the National Association of Purchasing Managers, Madison Chapter."

kkirkpatrick@capitalnewspapers.com

745-3509