State Rep. Scott Allen squares off against progressive Common Council President Alicia Halvensleben in one of the most closely watched local races on the April 7 ballot as D.C. money floods in to back progressives.
Voters in Waukesha head to the polls on April 7 for a contested mayoral race. With incumbent Mayor Shawn Reilly opting not to seek a fourth term, the contest pits State Rep. Scott Allen—a battle-tested conservative with deep roots in state and local government—against Common Council President Alicia Halvensleben, a far-left challenger whose agenda and backers raise serious questions about the future of Waukesha.
Residents now face a clear choice: choose the proven, pro-business approach that has kept taxes in check and quality of life high, or gamble on untested leadership aligned with the same failed policies driving decline in nearby liberal municipalities like Milwaukee and Wauwatosa.
Scott Allen is no newcomer to Waukesha governance or conservative principles. A longtime state representative and former city alderman, Allen has fought for limited government, pro-growth policies, and taxpayer accountability. His background in real estate, business ownership, and risk management gives him practical insight into attracting jobs and keeping Waukesha competitive. He has earned strong support from local leaders like Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.
In contrast, Alicia Halvensleben—a second-term alderwoman and current Common Council president—offers a markedly different direction. A salesperson who has limited executive leadership, she has endorsements from the Waukesha County Democratic Party and outgoing Mayor Reilly who endorsed Kamala Harris for President. Her platform emphasizes “creative solutions” for growth, affordable housing, and government-resident connections—language critics say masks a progressive agenda more suited to blue-city strongholds.
While this is a local race, outstate resources are pouring into Wisconsin according to reporting by the Diaryland Sentinel. A Washington, D.C.-based political machine—the State & Local Election Alliance (SLEA)—has poured $739,700.44 into Wisconsin’s spring elections to boost progressives. In Waukesha, the group funneled $121,007.10 in support of Halvensleben and $41,767.17 specifically attacking Allen. The pattern mirrors their investments in nearby suburbs like Brookfield.
Allen highlights his tangible record of conservative governance and business know-how. Halvensleben offers a risky progressive vision that her own party’s voters have fled in the cities they dominate.
On April 7, voters will decide whether to keep the city toward a proven path under seasoned conservative leadership or hand the keys to a far-left challenger backed by out-of-state D.C. dollars.
