UPDATE: Wolfe, Snead Advance to Muskego's April Ballot in 1st District

The three-way race for the aldermanic seat in Muskego's 1st District was pared down to two candidates Tuesday as Robert Wolfe and incumbent Tracy Snead advanced to the April 3 general election.

Final, unofficial results are as follows:

Robert Wolfe - 375 votes  (60 percent)
Tracy Snead - 150 votes (24 percent)
Randall Hojnacki - 91 votes (15 percent)

The turnout was 24 percent, which is average for an aldermanic primary, but  interest over the recent council vote to approve the purchase of land along the lake on Janesville Road for use as a park was expected to give the race extra attention.

Snead was one of four Common Council members who voted for the purchase of the land at a cost of $3.55 million, which may have had an impact on her showing at the ballot box.

However, Snead did not feel her second-place showing was related to the lake park issue, which divided the common council 4-3 and has led to calls for recalling other aldermen who voted "yes" who are not on the ballot this year.

"Really, I had been so busy with matters on the council that I know we did not campaign as heavily as the other candidates," Snead said. "Now it's time for the issues to come forth and for people to decide on the facts."

Wolfe said he was "overwhelmed" at the results, and that he was "absolutely very thankful to my supporters."

"Like many of you I am just a hard working family guy hoping to make a difference, without your vote this would not have been possible," he said in a statement to voters. "I want to personally say 'thank you.' I will continue to focus on the issues facing Muskego."

Despite the disappointing finish, Hojnacki said he was still glad he threw his hat in the ring.

"I have to thank my supporters — I learned a lot, and I'm glad I did this," he said. Although he would not elaborate on what his first foray into politics taught him, he did lend his support to the incumbent.

"I would ask those who supported me, if they care about Muskego, to vote for Snead in April," he said.

A candidates forum is scheduled for March 20, where voters can hear Wolfe and Snead debate the issues. Patch will have details on the forum as they become available.