Waukesha Common Council Selects Alderman For District 9

WAUKESHA, WI — The Waukesha Common Council selected Michael Payne as the new alderman to replace former Alderman Kathleen Cummings in District 9.

Payne got the nod in with seven out of 13 votes at the council's Tuesday meeting.

Kris Allen Bzdawka got four votes, and Jonathan Barnard two votes.

Payne took the oath of office immediately afterward.

Payne submitted paperwork to run for the Common Council in District 9 in the spring 2022 election.

"My reason for pursuing the position stems from a deep belief in serving the community and a passion for local issues," he said.

He served as a member of the Waukesha Plan Commission from 2014 to 2018 as a citizen member of the joint review board. He was also appointed to and served as member of the Waukesha County Airport Operations Commission from 2015 to 2017.

Cummings abruptly resigned as a Waukesha County supervisor and city alderman after serving more than 20 years after she was charged with seven felonies. Investigators found she was using two different addresses, according to online court documents and a criminal complaint.

Cummings was accused of not living in her home district for nine years of her time in public service, the complaint said. Before her term as alderman, she served as a county supervisor for District 19 for 22 years.

Patch reached out to Payne for comment Wednesday.