Waukesha mayor's race seen as partisan by candidates

Participants say the election had clear partisan divides despite being officially nonpartisan.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:27pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting in shades of blue, green, and red, depicting a blurred and repeated image of a government building, conveying a sense of political tension and division.The partisan nature of the Waukesha mayoral election reflects the broader political dynamics in the region.Madison Today

The recent mayoral election in Waukesha, Wisconsin has been described by its participants as having clear partisan divides, despite the race being officially nonpartisan. Both the winning candidate and the runner-up acknowledged the partisan nature of the campaign, with one stating that 'this was a partisan race, whether people want to admit it or not'.

Why it matters

Waukesha is a politically conservative suburb of Milwaukee, and the partisan nature of the mayoral race reflects the broader political dynamics in the region. The election outcome could have implications for local policy and the political landscape in the area.

The details

The Waukesha mayoral election was officially nonpartisan, meaning candidates did not run under a specific political party banner. However, both the winner, Shawn Reilly, and the runner-up, Tim Ramthun, acknowledged that partisan politics played a significant role in the campaign. Reilly, the winner, stated that 'this was a partisan race, whether people want to admit it or not', while Ramthun said the election 'had a very partisan feel to it'.

  • The Waukesha mayoral election was held on April 5, 2026.

The players

Shawn Reilly

The winner of the Waukesha mayoral election.

Tim Ramthun

The runner-up in the Waukesha mayoral election.

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What they’re saying

“This was a partisan race, whether people want to admit it or not.”

— Shawn Reilly, Waukesha mayor-elect

“The election had a very partisan feel to it.”

— Tim Ramthun, Waukesha mayoral candidate

The takeaway

The partisan nature of the Waukesha mayoral election, despite it being officially nonpartisan, highlights the ongoing political divisions in the region and the challenges of keeping local elections free from national partisan dynamics.