Projected Winners In The Wauwatosa 2022 Spring Election

WAUWATOSA, WI — Winners for Wauwatosa's alderperson race have been projected, but the results aren't official yet, city officials said.

The Board of Canvassers will meet Friday at 4 p.m. to certify the results of the election after all provisional ballots are counted, city spokesperson Eva Ennamorato told Patch.

The race for Aldermanic District 5 is tied, according to data from the Milwaukee County Clerk. A provisional ballot, a ballot that's marked but not counted the time its cast, remains in the district.

The unnamed voter who cast the ballot has to provide their information by Friday, as required by state law, Ennamorato said.

If the voter isn't found and the race is still tied after Friday, the city will determine results according to guidance from Wisconsin statutes, Ennamorato said. One option could be a method of chance by drawing lots.

Candidates can still request a recount by 5 p.m. on April 13, officials said.

Wauwatosa had a major turnover for its common council in 2022: six members have opted to not run again.

Residents also voted in a referendum to reduce the common council's size from 16 to 12, which got a high result in the Tuesday election.

Here are the results for school board and alderperson races.

Alderperson District 1

Results as of 9:02 p.m. Results are from the Milwaukee County Clerk.

• Andrew Meindl: 653
• Chris Kemble: 275

Alderperson District 3

• Patricia Stone: 324
• Joseph Makhlouf II: 394

Alderperson District 4

• Ian Beck: 308
• David Lewis: 561

Alderperson District 5

• Sean Lowe: 491
• Rob Gustafson: 508

Alderperson District 6

• Joe Phillips: 643
• Margaret Fritsch: 663

Alderperson District 8

• John Larry: 333
• Melissa Dolan: 486

Patricia Stone, a first-time candidate, is passionate about diversity and inclusion.

"Having studied post-WWII housing patterns during my graduate program, I understand the enormous impact governments can have in creating inclusive or explicitly exclusive communities," she told Patch.

Stone also discussed appropriate zoning of land.

"I would propose a review of all zoning classifications to make certain that the classifications are consistent with the character of the community and review the specific restrictions within those classifications to confirm that no legal aberrations are possible," she said.

Joseph Makhlouf is a first-time candidate. He said a big issue is crime in Wauwatosa.

"I have noticed a decline in many aspects of Wauwatosa. There has been an increase in car thefts, reckless driving, and a decline in our highly respected schools," he said.

Tim Hanson has been an alderman for 16 years. An important issue for Hanson is providing the police department with what they need to make Wauwatosa safer.

Hanson shared his philosophy on development with Patch.

"I want to stress that developments should stand on [their] own merits and do so without adding to our TIF districts. I have voted against most projects that request TIF money in all but 2 times in 16 years," he said.

John Larry is a former member and chairperson of the Wauwatosa Government Affairs Ad-Hoc Committee on Policing and Systemic Inequalities. Patch reached out to this candidate several times but has not yet heard back.

Melissa Dolan is a first-time candidate. She told Patch the most important issue facing Wauwatosa is crime, particularly in schools.

"Crime has increased seemingly everywhere, on our streets, with car thefts and especially with criminals stealing delivered mail and packages off of citizens front porches whether it be an apartment or house dwelling."

Jessica Free is a first-time candidate. Free believes the most important issue facing Wauwatosa is misinformation about the big problems and small. Her interests include nature and preserving "what is left of our "wilds" and all topics of greener living are likely to perk my enthusiasm."