Waukesha County Election Preview

Four countywide races are on the ballot in Waukesha County this November, but only one — that of the county clerk — is contested.

• Read story: County Clerk Candidates Vow to Restore Public Faith in Office

That seat has been the subject of heated controversy, as incumbent Kathy Nickolaus was criticized for a series of election mistakes, most notably reporting the wrong tally in the state Supreme Court race in 2011. Under heavy criticism, Nickolaus announced in April that she would not seek re-election, leaving a vacant seat.

The position pays $74,703 annually.

Vying for that seat are Republican Kathleen Novack and Democrat Jessica Read.

• Read, of the Town of Lisbon, has worked as a church office manager and volunteered for school and Svottish heritage organizations.
• Novack has worked in management for the Internal Revenue Service, and is a Pewaukee alderwoman who is also treasurer of the Pewaukee Area Historical Society.

Other candidates

The other countywide races are unopposed:

• a Republican incumbent. Schimel was first elected district attorney in 2006 after being an assistant district attorney for 16 years. District Attorneys serve four-year terms and their salaries are set using a state formula. Schimel earns $116,020.
• Register of Deeds Jim Behrend, a Republican incumbent. Behrend was first elected register of deeds in 2008. Before that time, he was a Waukesha County board member. He is the former mayor of the City of Delafield. The position pays $70,074.
• County Treasurer, Pamela Reeves, a Republican, is also running for re-election. She earns $69,143.