A Wisconsin mayor whose social media comments about President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama led to calls for his resignation last year is leaving office early.
Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen held a news conference on Thursday morning to announce that he will be resigning the office effective in April of next year, two years short of completing his latest four year term.
Mayor Hagen cited stress from the job, health concerns and wanting to spend more time with his family as reasons behind the decision.
With his wife Lois by his side, an emotional Hagen thanked the citizens of Superior for their support over his time as mayor which stretched over five terms.
Hagen faced a firestorm of criticism for a post on Facebook last year, in which he commented on a photo of Michelle Obama that “she and her Muslim partner have destroyed the fabric of our democracy that was so very hard fought for.” He later apologized.
Hagen was first elected in 1975 and served until 1987. He was elected again in 2011 and to a fifth term in 2015. It will be up to the Superior City Council will decide how the remainder of his term will be filled. Hagen said he hopes that younger candidates with visions for the city will step forward to run for the office.
KDAL