Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2023

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024

Your Favorite Local Elected Official

Her district may be the 91st, but she’s No. 1 in readers’ hearts: State Rep. Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire, came out on top in this category as well as in the voting for a third term representing most of the city of Eau Claire in the state Assembly. Emerson was followed by another Eau Claire Democrat, state Sen. Jeff Smith, who also was re-elected in November to serve the 31st Senate District, which includes Eau Claire and a wide swath of rural areas and small towns, including Durand, Mondovi, and Black River Falls. In third place is Travis Hakes, who apparently is already a reader favorite after being elected Chippewa County sheriff as a Republican in November. –Tom Giffey