No one can say for sure who will be elected to the Wauwatosa Common Council in April 2026, but it's a safe bet that the city's primary governing body will look quite a bit different in the next term.
That's by design. A new council structure and district boundaries, endorsed in concept by voters in a 2022 referendum, will take effect with the next term, and it already suggests some interesting council races in the spring.
One of the new districts could have three incumbents on the ballot, based on the addresses of the current council members. Two other new districts are up for grabs because they have no incumbents.
The changes are significant but not as complicated as they may sound.
The city is currently divided into eight districts, each with two council members representing the same geographic area. Under the changes endorsed by voters, the Common Council will shrink in April from 16 to 12 seats, and each of those 12 members will begin representing a unique new geographic district — so, no more council member tag teams.
One intended benefit of this new structure is more direct accountability for individual council members, who now can focus on serving constituents in smaller districts.
To make this change, all of the current 16 members of the council will end their terms this spring and must decide now whether to run for one of the 12 new seats. Odd numbered districts will elect members to shortened two-year terms, and even-numbered districts' members will serve four-year terms, establishing staggered four-year terms going forward.
Who can run for those seats? Essentially anyone who lives in the City of Wauwatosa, as long as they are legal voters.
Dec. 1 is the first day prospective candidates can begin circulating nomination papers. Candidates must obtain 20 to 40 signatures to get their names on the ballot. Those nomination papers are due at 5 p.m. Jan. 6, 2026.
Full documentation is available on the city's website here.
The election is Tuesday, April 7. Winning candidates take office at the first Common Council meeting after the election. Pay for the new members will be $7,200 a year, and they will be limited to two consecutive terms.
Because the district boundaries are changing, some current council members are destined to end up in districts without any other incumbent opponents, while others may have to face off against their colleagues to maintain a seat on the council. The detailed maps can be found here.
The following is a quick overview of which districts already could have contested elections, though it is not yet clear which of the incumbents will run for office again:
District 1 — Two incumbents
This district includes City Hall and the surrounding neighborhoods south of North Avenue. Brad Foley and James Moldenhauer are the two incumbents who live in this new district.
District 2 — One incumbent
This east-side district includes much of the Pabst Park neighborhood, Washington Highlands and Quarry Heights. Andrew Meindl is the only incumbent who lives in this new district.
District 3 — Two incumbents
This is the southeast corner of Wauwatosa, starting at Glenview Avenue and extending east to the Milwaukee city line. Ernst Franzen and David Lewis are the two incumbents who live in this new district.
District 4 — One incumbent
This district spans from Olde Hillcrest through Tosa Village and parts of the neighborhoods south and west of Hart Park. Margaret Arney is the only incumbent who lives in this new district.
District 5 — One incumbent
Most of the Tosa East Towne neighborhood north of North Avenue is included in this east-side district. Rob Gustafson is the only incumbent who lives in this new district.
District 6 — One incumbent
This district north of North Avenue extends from 73rd Street west to Swan Boulevard, including most of the Pasadena neighborhood. Sean Lowe is the only incumbent who lives in this new district.
District 7 — Two incumbents
The neighborhoods along the Menomonee River just northwest of Tosa Village are part of this district, including Swan Park. Joe Phillips and Aletha Champine are the two incumbents who live in this new district.
District 8 — No incumbents
This district on the city's south side extends from Glenview Avenue west to 115th Street, mostly north and south of Wisconsin Avenue. It is one of only two new districts with no incumbents on the current council.
District 9 — Two incumbents
Wauwatosa's southwest corner, this district includes parts of the Fisher Woods and Underwood Parkway neighborhoods. Robin Brannin and Joseph Makhlouf II are the two incumbents who live in this new district.
District 10 — One incumbent
The west end of North Avenue runs through this district, which includes the neighborhoods to the north and south of the avenue and the new Firefly Grove Park. Amanda Fuerst is the only incumbent who lives in this new district.
District 11 — Three incumbents
This is the geographically largest new district in the city. It follows Mayfair Road north from Mayfair Mall to Capitol Drive and extends west to 124th Street. It also is home to three current council members: Mike Morgan, Melissa Dolan and Jason Wilke.
District 12 — No incumbents
Wauwatosa's far north end, this is the other new district without any incumbent council members. It includes Tosa Heights and Ruby Gardens neighborhoods north of Capitol Drive.
