Jim Ritterbush chosen by council to fill District 8 alder vacancy by ranked‑choice vote

The Green Bay Common Council appointed Jim Ritterbush to fill the vacant District 8 alder seat after interviewing three applicants and conducting a ranked‑choice vote among council members. Clerk Jeffreys read each member’s ranked choices aloud; after tallying first‑choice votes Ritterbush received six and Mark Anderson five, with Megan Borchardt receiving no first‑choice votes. With a majority of the 11 votes, the council announced Ritterbush as the appointee and administered the oath of office.

Ritterbush introduced himself to council earlier in the meeting, describing decades of local volunteer work, leadership roles with neighborhood organizations, decades as a JBS employee and labor liaison, and experience on neighborhood and redevelopment committees. He told council he would run for the seat in 2026 if appointed.

Clerk Jeffreys read the voting slips in open session. Several council members explained that a ranked‑choice process was selected at the outset to produce a majority choice without repeated rounds of elimination; the clerk then tabulated the ballots and announced the round result: Ritterbush 6, Anderson 5, Borchardt 0. Mayor then administered the oath; Ritterbush made brief remarks thanking council and expressing readiness to serve.

The council adopted a process consistent with ordinances and Robert’s Rules guidance and confirmed that the appointment requires a majority of council votes (six of 11). Ritterbush’s appointment is effective immediately; the council adjourned shortly after the oath.