Who is running in the April 5 election?
Incumbents in 7 of 8 districts will not be running for reelection.
District 1
Andrew Meindl graduated with a Master’s degree in Environmental Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois - Chicago in 2014, previously worked for the EPA and currently works for the General Services Administration (GSA). He is running because he wants to give back to his community, and his priorities as an alder include “safety, maintaining quality city services, responsible development, and keeping Tosa a welcoming place to live, work, and play.”
More information is on his website: Meindl4Tosa.org
Chris Kemble is a professional in graphics and printing with 30 years of experience, has started multiple businesses, and writes on public policy, sports, and art history for various outlets. He is running “because the US has ten times more crime, decade after decade, than any other western country. Over one million have been murdered in the last sixty years. As crazy as homicide numbers are, this is a very tiny fraction of overall crime. Millions of lives are shattered in a never-ending big government failure based on insane utopian ideas…”
More information is on his website: StopCrimeTosa.com.
He also suggests that you to read this article.
Incumbent Matt Stippich, Alder since 2014 is not running.
District 2
Margaret Arney is running unopposed. She earned a Masters of Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago in 1994 and works as a consultant for the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee. She also serves as the Vice Chair of Wauwatosa’s Equity and Inclusion Commission.
She has a website—VoteArney.com—but it’s not very informative, and her profile on the city’s website is blank.
Incumbent Kathleen Causier, alder since 2010, is not running for reelection.
District 3
The incumbent, Tim Hanson, has served as alderman for district 3 since 2006 but lost the primary election on February 15 by five votes. He will not be on the ballot on April 5. He is a graduate of the Milwaukee Area Technical College and has been a journeyman painter for over 40 years.
Patricia A. Stone received her B.A. in politic science from the University of Minnesota in 2001 and her J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 2010. She works as an accident and personal injury lawyer for Gruber Law Offices. She is interested in housing policy and, as an alder, would seek to revise existing zoning restrictions in Wauwatosa to maintain the city’s character.
Joseph Makhlouf II is a chiropractor and lifelong resident of Wauwatosa. He wants to further the goals of the Equity and Inclusion Commission and address what he perceives as an increase in car theft and reckless driving in Wauwatosa and a decline in the quality of its schools.
District 4
Ian R. Beck is a student studying political science and history at Wisconsin Lutheran College and will graduate in 2024. As alder, he wants to make community involvement and input easier, promote small businesses, and preserve green space within the city.
Profile on the City of Wauwatosa website.
David R. Lewis works for Red Star Yeast as its Director of Sales. He has worked in the nutrition industry for over 30 years. As alder, he would address crime to ensure a safe and vibrant community, and update zoning laws to prevent the construction of tall buildings close to neighborhoods.
Profile on the City of Wauwatosa website.
The incumbent, Michael Walsh, alder since 2014, will not be running for reelection.
District 5
Sean Lowe is the President of Wauwatosa’s Diversity and Inclusion Commission and works as Planning & Sales Senior Specialist for Northwestern Mutual where he has been employed for 17 years. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. As alder, his priorities would be police reform, preserving green spaces, and attracting businesses to Wauwatosa.
Rob Gustafson, the incumbent, has been an alder since 2020 when he was selected to replace Heather Kuhl after her resignation from the Common Council. He co-owns Vennture Brewing Company. As alder, he is interested in continuing to serve District 5’s business community and “to help my neighbors find and use the City’s resources, solve problems and connect them with the right people.”
Profile on the City of Wauwatosa website.
District 6
Joe Phillips is the executive director of the Luther Manor Foundation, a foundation to ensure the long-term financial support of the Luther Manor retirement community. He received his Masters in Divinity from Trinity International University in 2007. If elected, he would prioritize making Wauwatosa better for seniors and improving communication with the police, fire department, and constituents.
Margaret Fritsch earned a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Mount Mary University in 1992. She is currently a Senior Associate at the strategic communications firm Michael Best Strategies. Her priorities include making Wauwatosa safer by addressing rising crime, ensuring the city is a good steward of tax revenue, increasing housing options for seniors and disabled residents, and controlling development within the city.
Incumbent Allison Byrne has served District 6 since 2014 and will not be running for reelection.
District 7
Amanda Fuerst is a music and band teacher at Christian Education Leadership Academy in Pewaukee. She graduated from Northwestern in 2010 with a Master’s degree in music. She is running unopposed.
Could not find information on her platform or priorities if elected.
Incumbent Jason Kofroth, first elected in 2014, will not be running for reelection.
District 8
Jessica Free lost the primary by 54 votes, so the April 5 election will be between John Larry and Melissa Dolan.
Profile on the City of Wauwatosa website.
John Larry is the Dean of instruction and culture at King's Academy Christian School and previously served as the chairperson of the Wauwatosa Government Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee on Policing and Systemic Inequalities in 2020-21. He wants to help Wauwatosa become a “First Class City for ALL!” If elected, he wants to prioritize the distribution of $24 million in federal relief funds and address issues with increasing car thefts. John Larry previously attracted attention as a vocal critic of the police department and Mayor McBride (who he often referred to as “Mayor McPRIDE”) during a period of continual protests in Wauwatosa in 2020 following the fatal shooting of Alvin Cole by Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah.
Emails sent to Common Council in December, 2020. (Begins pg. 24)
Wisconsin Right Now article on John Larry altercations with police and facebook posts during protests in 2020.
Wisconsin Examiner article on John Larry’s criticism of police union.
Profile on the City of Wauwatosa website.
Melissa Dolan has been a pianist and piano teacher for over 20 years and feels the time is right to give back to her community. She believes the most pressing issue facing Wauwatosa is crime both within in the community and in its schools.
Incumbent Craig Wilson, first elected in 2010, will not be running for reelection.
All that info on BLM activist John Larry and not a mention of Margaret Fritsche's problems from the other direction?