Democrat Halvensleben Edges GOP Lawmaker in Waukesha Mayoral Upset

WAUKESHA, Wis. (WAUK) – Democrat Alicia Halvensleben narrowly won election as mayor of Waukesha on Tuesday, defeating Republican state Rep. Scott Allen in the first open-seat race for the office in two decades in the historically conservative community.

Halvensleben, president of the Waukesha Common Council, captured 51.2% of the vote to Allen’s 48.8%, according to final results with all precincts reporting. She received 9,535 votes to Allen’s 9,081, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement, Halvensleben said she was “honored and grateful” for voters’ trust.

“This campaign has always been about our community: about listening, showing up, and doing the work to keep our city moving forward,” she said. “As mayor, I’m ready to get to work on your top priorities,” including responsible growth, strong city services and making Waukesha a place where families want to live and work.”

Halvensleben will succeed three-term Mayor Shawn Reilly, an independent who left the Republican Party.