Waukesha had not had a wide-open mayoral race in two decades before current Mayor Shawn Reilly decided he would not seek a fourth term.
His decision opened the door for new leadership, and Waukesha’s race is among the highlights in local election races that will end April 7, in this case featuring State Rep. Scott Allen and alderwoman Alicia Halvensleben for the seat.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked each of the candidates to explain why they decided to seek the open seats and how they will address the redevelopment questions Waukesha faces.
Waukesha candidates hope to maintain Waukesha’s value
Allen, in his sixth term in the State Assembly, and Halvensleben, in her second term as an alderwoman, share certain viewpoints about Waukesha, but from different political vantage points.
Allen said he is running, at the urging of others and only after praying for guidance, in part because of the growing debt load Waukesha has taken on since 2018. (Based on previously reported articles, those costs appear mostly tied to the construction of a new City Hall building and the Lake Michigan water pipeline project.) He also pointed to a financial management plan by the city that has projected an $8 million deficit by 2027.
“These facts weighed heavy on my heart,” Allen said, adding “It was clear to me that the city needs strong leadership to guide it to financial sustainability. The city needs a leader with creativity, the ability to collaborate, and someone who is unafraid to speak with candor.”
Halvensleben said her years of public service have reinforced her “core values” of fairness, transparency, accountability, and collaboration in government.
“I believe good leadership is about bringing people together, solving problems in the open, and making decisions rooted in both data and human impact,” she said. “I want all residents to feel like their voices are heard and they are part of the process.”
Redevelopment remains a key issue in built-out Waukesha
They both acknowledge that Waukesha is a largely built-out community, landlocked by other municipal jurisdictions as well as the historic water compact with Great Lake states that limits the city’s ability to expand. But that doesn’t mean the city can’t effectively strategize how to use its resources to maintain its economic standing.
“Redevelopment and well-planned infill projects are essential to growing our tax base and maintaining manageable tax rates,” Halvensleben said. “As mayor, my role would be to guide thoughtful growth that strengthens the city while preserving the character and historic charm residents value. Higher density can make sense along major corridors and near existing infrastructure, but it should not overwhelm established neighborhoods or create avoidable traffic or safety concerns.”
She added that her work as an alderwoman in four years has included close contact with the city’s community development staff, developers and residents on key projects.
Allen said his nongovernmental experience in Waukesha, where he started a real estate business years ago, puts him in a position to make a difference on development projects and issues.
“As mayor, I will be Waukesha’s chief salesperson and promoter,” he said. “Our city has a lot to offer – many assets that can be leveraged to entice investment. Infill development is challenging, so attracting development will require a degree of gentle persuasion and persistent effort. With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, I have both the relationships and the credibility to attract developers.”
The last Waukesha race to feature no incumbent was in 2006, when Larry Nelson won the seat vacated by Carol Lombardi. Nelson was defeated by Jeff Scrima in 2010, who in turn lost to Reilly in 2014.
About Waukesha mayoral candidate Scott Allen
Address: 3731 Stillwater Court, Waukesha
Age: 60
Occupation: State legislator, business owner, Realtor
Political experience: Representative to the State Assembly since 2015. Former Waukesha alderman.
Endorsements and paid support: Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese, Sheriff Eric Severson, former sheriff Arnie Moncada, State Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, representatives Adam Neylon, Dave Maxey and Chuck Wichgers, State Sen. Julian Bradley, retired judges Laura Lau and Michael Bohren, County supervisors Deb Schroeder and Brian Meier, Waukesha School Board members Karrie Koslowski, Bette Koenig, and Eric Brooks, and Waukesha City Council members Doreen Wigderson, Rick Lemke and Dale Matthews. Also endorsed by the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors PAC.
Contact information: www.scottforwaukesha.com
About Waukesha mayoral candidate Alicia Halvensleben
Address: 401 W. Park Ave., Waukesha
Age: 36
Occupation: Sales team lead
Political experience: Waukesha alderwoman (two-term 2022 to present), Common Council President (2024 and 2025), various committee memberships, City of Waukesha Parade Memorial Commission member, vice president of Waukesha Public Library Board of Trustees
Endorsements and paid support: Individual endorsements from Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, former Waukesha mayor Larry Nelson, Waukesha Alderwoman Elizabeth Moltzan, Waukesha Alderman Paul Wuteska, Former Waukesha Alderman Erik Helgestad, Brookfield Alderman Mike Hallquist, plus Kevin Reilly and Kristin Hansen. Organizational endorsements from Waukesha County Labor Council, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Democratic Municipal Officials, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance, Blue Sky Waukesha, Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Waukesha County Democratic Party, Young Democrats of Wisconsin, Working Families Party
Contact information: www.aliciaforwaukesha.com, email info@aliciaforwaukesha.com
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha mayor race features a state legislator and an alderwoman
Reporting by Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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