Stemming from alcohol-related revocation, mayoral candidate Alicia Halvenleben responds to the situation.
Waukesha mayoral candidate Alicia Halvensleben was fined in two separate cases for driving with a revoked license in 2017 and 2018, according to Waukesha County circuit court records reported by The Waukesha Freeman.
The offenses stemmed from an earlier alcohol-related revocation of her driving privileges. Halvensleben, serves as Common Council president and was first elected to the council in April 2022. She faces state Rep. Scott Allen in Tuesday’s election for Waukesha mayor.
Court documents indicate Halvensleben was pulled over Aug. 8, 2017, near Highway 164 and River Park Drive in Pewaukee after a Waukesha County sheriff’s deputy spotted a malfunctioning driver-side headlight. A records check showed her license had been revoked for an alcohol-related reason. She told the deputy she drove only to and from work when rides were unavailable, the complaint stated. She represented herself in court, entered a no-contest plea Dec. 12, 2017, and was ordered to pay a $379 fine plus a $200 DNA surcharge.
Halvensleben also appeared in court on a signature bond in a second case. A sheriff’s deputy stopped her Jan. 9, 2018, on Interstate 94 near Underwood Creek Parkway after a random registration check revealed the vehicle owner’s license was revoked. She acknowledged knowing about the revocation, and records confirmed it was tied to the operating-while-intoxicated offense. She again represented herself, pleaded no contest May 8, 2018, and paid $284.50 plus a $200 DNA surcharge that day.
Halvensleben addressed the matter in a subsequent statement.
“Nearly a decade ago, I made a serious mistake. I was charged with a DUI, and two instances of operating after revocation. I take full responsibility for those actions. They were wrong. I am grateful that no one was hurt, and I do not take that for granted. I have followed all required legal processes and have taken the necessary steps to return to driving legally. I have learned from this experience, and I’ve worked to move forward with greater accountability and better judgment. I understand that trust is earned, and I am committed to earning it every day through my actions, my judgment and my service to this community.”
Allen described the violations as serious. “It’s a serious matter when you drive when your license has been revoked. It’s a willful ignoring of the law. At that point it’s not an accident,” he said. “You know your license has been revoked and you made the choice to drive.”
Asked whether the cases raised questions about Halvensleben’s fitness for the mayor’s office, Allen said the decision rests with voters ultimately. “That’s for the voters to decide, I guess. When your license has been revoked and you choose to drive anyway, I would not want anybody to do the same thing. There’s a reason your license has been revoked in the first place. We do need to keep our roads and streets safe.”
Voters go to the polls April 7 to decide the next mayor of Waukesha.
