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Waukesha Today
By the People, for the People
Democrat-backed Alicia Halvensleben wins Waukesha mayoral race
Halvensleben defeats Republican State Representative Scott Allen in a tight race in the traditionally Republican Waukesha County.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:18pm
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Halvensleben's victory in the Waukesha mayoral race signals a shift in the political landscape of this traditionally Republican stronghold.Waukesha TodayThe city of Waukesha has a new Democratic-backed mayor in traditionally red Waukesha County. Common Council president Alicia Halvensleben is the new mayor-elect, defeating Republican State Representative Scott Allen with 51% of the vote. Halvensleben won by approximately 450 votes to become the first Democratic-backed candidate elected in 12 years.
Why it matters
Waukesha County has long been considered a Republican stronghold in Wisconsin, so Halvensleben's victory represents a potential shift in local politics. The mayoral race was wide open after longtime Republican-turned-Independent mayor Shawn Reilly decided not to run for a fourth term.
The details
Halvensleben, the Common Council president, defeated Republican State Representative Scott Allen in a tight race. While Waukesha County and the city of Waukesha have voted overwhelmingly Republican in recent presidential elections, the margin of victory for Republicans has been shrinking. Some voters felt the city was trending more 'purple' in recent years.
- Halvensleben was elected as the new Waukesha mayor on April 4, 2026.
- Longtime mayor Shawn Reilly, a Republican-turned-Independent, decided not to run for a fourth term.
The players
Alicia Halvensleben
The new Democratic-backed mayor of Waukesha, Wisconsin, who previously served as the Common Council president.
Scott Allen
The Republican State Representative who ran against Halvensleben in the Waukesha mayoral race.
Shawn Reilly
The longtime Republican-turned-Independent mayor of Waukesha who decided not to run for a fourth term.
What they’re saying
“I thought Allen would win.”
— Michael Resinske, Waukesha voter
“I lived in this community for many years, and again we need to move in a different direction.”
— Deborah Schuett, Waukesha voter
“It feels like it has gone more purple in the last 4 or 5 years. So that is just a trend more towards the blue.”
— William Glaser, Waukesha voter
“We knew that this was going to be a tight race. This is a city on the cusp, so we were prepared for anything.”
— Alicia Halvensleben, Mayor-elect of Waukesha
What’s next
Halvensleben will be sworn in as the new mayor of Waukesha on April 21, 2026.
The takeaway
Halvensleben's victory in the traditionally Republican Waukesha mayoral race suggests a potential shift in local politics, with the city trending more 'purple' in recent years. This outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of broader political trends in the state and region.
