That guy we reported on earlier this summer making anti-Semitic speeches around town? He's running for mayor
A man known in Wausau for making anti-Semitic speeches on the 400 Block and in some municipal meetings has filed to run for mayor of Wausau.
Chris Wood on his Twitter page declared in late November that he filed his candidacy paperwork and will start collecting signatures started Dec. 1 as the law allows.
Wood became known around town last summer for showing up at Concerts on the Square and delivering anti-Semitic speeches. Essentially, he would read off lists of public officials and state their Jewish identity. It got to the point where downtown business owners started putting out calls for people to buy bullhorns to drown him out whenever he spoke.
The Wausonian wrote about Chris Wood and his plans to run for Wausau mayor — and was the very first outlet to write about the situation. Following that story (and I am not saying its causative, as he wasn’t at the 400 Block when I attempted to see for myself)
More recently, he’s been hosting Twitter (er, X) spaces with titles including “Christian Nationalists vs Judaism'“ and “Exposing the JEW with the power of your voice,” and partnering with groups such as Gentile News Net. One of those spaces garnered 2,600 listens. 1
On that account in October Wood posted a screenshot of Mayor Katie Rosenberg’s Twitter account with a caption that read “Jews posting their Ls” (Rosenberg is not actually Jewish, but has received anti-Semiticism because Rosenberg is commonly a Jewish name.)
You can see more of his beliefs on his Facebook page. (@LeaderoftheUSA is his Twitter/X handle.)
Wausau mayor candidates respond
Doug Diny, a first-term city council member who announced his own candidacy for mayor last month, put out a statement calling out Wood’s anti-Semiticism:
Today, I learned that Christopher Wood has filed a Declaration of Candidacy with the City Clerk’s office and has declared his intent to run for Mayor of Wausau. Wood is an outspoken antisemite and his hate filled campaign has no place in our community or its highest elected position. I stand with every citizen of Wausau in denouncing Mr. Woods’ antisemitic viewpoints. Every American no matter their race, creed, or religion has the right to pursue a better life for themselves and their families and they should feel comfortable doing so in our great community. Hate has no place in Wausau, and I encourage every citizen and each Wausau Mayoral candidate to join me in condemning this hateful message and platform. My campaign will continue to focus on why I am best suited to serve as Mayor and provide high quality municipal services to the citizens of Wausau.
The Wausonian also reached out to Rosenberg, who is also running for re-election in April. Rosenberg’s late Friday statement to The Wausonian is that she trusts the people to make the right decision:
I trust that when the people of Wausau go into the voting booth, they will vote for people who support our neighbors and lift our whole community up. Targeting people based on their backgrounds, spreading lies and conspiracies, and intimidating families aren't the ingredients for a winning message here in Wausau.
Wood would need 200 signatures to get on the ballot for mayor. Those signatures will need to be filed 5 pm Jan. 2. If all three collect enough signatures, it will spark a February primary.
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For those that don’t know, Spaces on X/Twitter are essentially like live podcasts with a host that anyone can listen to and those invited to speak can do so.