New Opponent Announces Campaign For Mayor Of Brookfield

BROOKFIELD, WI — A former alderman and Elmbrook School Board member has announced his campaign for Mayor of Brookfield.

David Morello, a real estate agent, will run for mayor in the April 2022 election. The informal announcement was made at a recent public presentation hosted by the Fair Elections Project on Monday.

He will run for current Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto's seat. Ponto has been mayor since 2010, when he beat incumbent Jeff Speaker. Both Ponto and Marcello have spent time as aldermen.

Marcello said he has ideas about how Brookfield can improve its community and bring a sense of "the common good" forward. After observing a debate-filled Elmbrook School Board meeting on Tuesday, he said division is the biggest issue in Brookfield and that he wants to unify residents.

"You can't help but notice (the division)," Marcello told Patch. "Let's agree that we're all working towards the common good of our community. Let's have conversation and work together to make things happen."

Marcello's daughter, Jenna Meza, is an alderperson in the Brookfield Common Council right now.

Ponto said that he plans to run for election next spring and that he would run on his 11-year record. He wasn't challenged when he ran for mayor in 2018.

"I think this has been a very good period for Brookfield," Ponto told Patch. "We've had a lot of development, more than our past history, and I think the city is doing well."

Ponto said that attracting business and first class development were the biggest issues in Brookfield. "I wouldn't plan beyond another term at this point," he said. "I feel great now, I'm enjoying my job and I'm looking forward to continuing."