With the incumbent stepping aside in 2026, the Oconomowoc mayoral race will nonetheless feature two candidates familiar with the city’s government.
Oconomowoc Mayor Robert Magnus decided not to seek reelection, so Common Council members Matt Rosek and Karen Spiegelberg opted to vie for the wide-open seat, which voters will close with a preferred choice on April 7.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked each candidate to explain why they decided to seek the mayoral seat and how they will address development in their rapidly growing community.
Both Rosek and Spiegelberg cite fiscal responsibility as top goal
Both candidates said they appreciate what makes Oconomowoc special: a mix of small-town charm and a vibrancy tied to its growth.
Rosek, who notes that he is a lifelong Lake Country resident, lists four “unwavering pillars” that define his actions: strong public safety, low taxes, responsible development and transparency in government
“I’m running for mayor because I won’t stand by while higher taxes, unnecessary debt, or ‘tax-and-spend’ ideas threaten hardworking families and retirees,” he said. “Our residents deserve consistent, conservative leadership that keeps money in their pockets and prioritizes their needs – not pet projects or sneaky new fees like a wheel tax. I’ve fought these burdens on the council, and as mayor, I’ll continue to do so.”
Spiegelberg, who says her 41 years as a certified public accountant leaves her steeply inclined toward fiscal responsibility, said such a responsible skillset is what Oconomowoc residents want in a mayor.
“I understand budget controls and long-term planning,” she said. “Although Oconomowoc remains a growing community, now that our borders are established, it will be even more important for us to tighten our belts and to preserve our reserves and fund balances for days ahead where we might not have the healthy net new construction.”
Candidates want to manage growth responsibly
Rosek and Spiegelberg both look beyond Oconomowoc’s current growth status, which has generated so much new construction within Pabst Farms and Olympia Fields alone that tax revenue has not been an issue for some time. The trick is to ensure that growth benefits the community, not just builders and developers, they said.
“It must be guided to areas best suited for it, where infrastructure, traffic flow, and land use support it,” Spiegelberg said. “As mayor, I will continue to work with the current developers of these projects to ensure that what they bring is in the best interest of our community. We can’t stop development but if we can be thoughtful in guiding it, we can preserve the charm and identity of our community while ensuring a strong future.”
She also stresses the importance of keeping decision-making nonpartisan, among the reasons she asked political parties to stay out of the race and asked partisans not to offer support to her campaign.
Rosek also doesn’t want growth to trample the city’s infrastructure, resources and character, including green spaces
“Unlike approaches that chase growth at any cost, I’ll ensure development pays its own way through thoughtful planning,” he said. “No rubber-stamping, no unnecessary borrowing, no shifting burdens to taxpayers. Every project must strengthen our city without eroding our character or wallets. Oconomowoc deserves leadership that listens to residents, delivers fiscal discipline, and gets results.”
For him, that means respecting property rights while supporting projects that meet high community standards, voting “no” when developers fall short of the ideal, and making preservation a priority, including the historic Chapman Park Barn from Pabst Farms’ agriculture years.
About Oconomowoc mayoral candidate Matt Rosek
Address: 1839 La Belle Springs Lane, Oconomowoc
Age: 49
Occupation: Attorney (partner/shareholder)
Political experience: 12 years as alderman, five years as council president, former Zoning Board of Appeals chairman.
Endorsements and paid support: Notable endorsements include Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow; State Rep. Barbara Dittrich (99th Assembly district); Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese; former Oconomowoc mayors James Daley, David Nold and Gary Kohlenberg; current/former aldermen Kevin Ellis, Jennifer Aultman Kloth, Erik Jungwirth and Rusty McConnell, among others. (Full list at https://www.rosek4thecity.com/endorsements
Contact information: website rosek4thecity.com, Facebook page, email rosek4thecity@gmail.com
About Oconomowoc mayoral candidate Karen Spiegelberg
Address: 559 Greenland Ave., Oconomowoc
Age: 66
Occupation: CPA (retired), Real estate salesperson
Political experience: eight years as Oconomowoc alderman
Endorsements and paid support: None (at her request). Self-funded campaign
Contact information: www.spiegelbergforoconomowoc.com
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc council members compete for open mayor’s seat
Reporting by Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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