KENOSHA, Wis. — A pair of expected absences at Tuesday night’s Kenosha County Board organizational meeting could create an unexpected opening for Supervisor Mark Nordigian to become the next chairman, despite Democrats maintaining a strong majority on the board following the April election.

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According to multiple sources familiar with behind-the-scenes discussions, Supervisors Laura Belsky and William “Bill” Grady are both expected to be absent from the meeting, potentially reducing the number of voting supervisors from 23 to 21. That would mean only 11 votes are needed to secure the chairmanship.

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Nordigian, who publicly identifies as a Republican but has at times drawn criticism from conservatives who question how closely he aligns with the party, is believed to be trying to build a coalition that could propel him into the board’s top leadership role.

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Several sources told Kenosha County Eye that Supervisor Gabe Nudo may hold the deciding vote.

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Sources said Nudo has privately indicated he could support Nordigian for chairman if he is rewarded with leadership positions, including chairmanships of the powerful Finance and Administration Committee and Joint Services Board. Those committee assignments are among the most influential on the County Board and often come with significant control over county spending and policy direction.

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Publicly, however, Nordigian has said he has not promised anyone anything in exchange for support.

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Meanwhile, current Vice Chairman Daniel Gaschke is reportedly seeking the chairmanship himself. Gaschke has long been viewed as one of the board’s more progressive members and currently serves as vice chairman under outgoing Chair Monica Yuhas. Supervisor John Franco, another member aligned with the board’s left wing, is believed to be seeking the vice chairman position.

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Supervisor John Morrissey is also said to be vying for vice chairman and could emerge as part of a broader coalition if Nordigian pulls off an upset.

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If the night ends with Nordigian as chairman, Morrissey as vice chairman and Nudo controlling Finance and Joint Services, it would suggest that committee assignments and political horse trading mattered more than ideology.

That kind of outcome would likely reinforce criticism from both conservatives and liberals that the County Board operates more like a political swamp than a governing body, with power determined by deals and alliances instead of party labels.

Tuesday night’s meeting is expected to provide the first major indication of where the new County Board majority truly stands and whether political factions are willing to cross ideological lines in exchange for influence.

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