Politics & Government

Incumbent Aldermen Sweep Challengers

Aldermen Renee Lowerr, Dan Sutton and Buck Jurken coasted to re-election Tuesday to new four-year terms.

It was a good night for incumbent aldermen in Brookfield.

All three incumbents who faced challengers outpolled their challengers by substantial margins.

  • In a rematch of her 2008 race to become alderwoman for southeastern Brookfield, 7th District Ald. Renee Lowerrr defeated former city alderman Tom Schellinger, by the largest margin of 65 percent to 35 percent. (Lowerr: 849 votes; Schellinger: 462)
  • Ald. Dan Sutton, in the city's northeastern 1st District, received 64 percent of the vote over Dick Steinberg, former city municipal judge. (Sutton: 949 votes; Steinberg: 528)
  • And Ald. Buck Jurken, in the city's 4th District, won with 56 percent of the vote over challenger Cathy Wolfla.(Jurken: 778 votes; Wolfla, 605)

Lowerr, who said she was nervous before the results, threw her arms in the air upon hearing the news in City Hall where many aldermen waited after Tuesday's Common Council meeting.

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"I'm so happy to represent District 7," Lowerr said. "Thank you, voters. I worked very hard for my last four years. The residents know I support them at City Hall."

Sutton also beamed after seeing his hard-fought victory over Steinberg. The two disagreed on whether the size of the council should be cut in half, with Steinberg advocating for a cut and Sutton favoring the status quo.

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"I'm humbled and honored," Sutton said. "I look forward to the task at hand."

Sutton attributed his win to his advocacy for district residents and businesses. "If you look at what I've done to promote our part of the city, I think it resonated with people."

Jurken said he was "very excited" to serve another term.

"I did a lot of door-to-door campaigning, and I don't know but maybe that's what did it," he said.

Jurken added that his opponent, Wolfla, did a "great job" during the campaign.

Wolfla sent Patch an email congratulating Jurken on his win. "I would like to thank my friends and family for all of their support," she said. "I congratulate Buck Jurken and wish him the best. I encourage District 4 to meet Buck and contact him with concerns."

Jurken pledged to listen to the questions and concerns from residents.

"I have been working on this for 18 months and that will continue for the next four years," he said.

Mayor Steve Ponto said that the fact that residents backed the incumbents showed that those alderman — and the city as a whole — are doing a good job providing services and controlling taxes.

"I think overall the city's on a real good course," Ponto said, adding, "I have a lot of confidence in the voters of Brookfield, honestly."

Patch correspondent Carrie Siebel contributed to this story.

  • For more on Brookfield's elections, see , and a story on the .


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