Former Wausau Mayoral Candidate Facing Accusations of a Hate Crime Appears in Court

Thursday, August 15th, 2024 -- 2:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) A one-time candidate for Mayor of Wausau is free on a signature bond as he faces accusations of a hate crime.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Christopher Wood pled not guilty to the charge on Wednesday, signed a $1,500 bond, and was told to return for a pretrial conference in mid-September.

The 29-year-old is said to have approached a biracial couple at a Wausau Kwik Trip and encouraged the woman to find a White partner, telling her she shouldn’t be messing with a Black person and that White babies are adorable.

Police say he doubled down on that stance as they were interviewing him by using a racial slur for Blacks and telling the officer that they are “destroying” the United States.

Officers brought the charges forward after a lengthy investigation, including eyewitness interviews and recorded video from the scene. Security camera footage from Kwik Trip was also reviewed.

Wood has maintained his innocence through social media posts, citing freedom of speech and saying “I have an opinion too, and it offends folks.” Charges against him include disorderly conduct with a hate crime modifier, which could land him in jail for a year or more plus thousands in fines.

He returns to court on September 17th.

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