Challenger Unseats Alderman; School Board Members Hold Seats

Incumbent Oak Creek Alderman Dan Jakubczyk was unseated in his re-election bid, losing to challenger Steven Kurkowski in Tuesday's general election.

According to unofficial election results, Kurkowski pulled in 348 votes (53 percent) to Jakubczyk's 308 (47 percent). Results remain unofficial until certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Tuesday was a reversal of the primary, when Jakubczyk was the leading vote-getter in the February primary with 42 percent of the vote against Kurkowski's 30 percent.

"I was very surprised," Jakubczyk said. "I thought I had a reasonably good chance, and I was comfortable with what I did."

Jakubczyk said he stopped by Kurkowski's home and congratulated him on his victory.

"I would like to thank the people for First District for electing me for two terms and allowing me to serve."

Kurkowski said Jakubczyk was a class act Tuesday night and even offered to help him transition into his new role.

"I'm anxious to get started," Kurkowski said. "It's an exciting evening."

During the campaign, Kurkowski sensed a lot of disappointment over what is planned for the Drexel Town Square development, he said. Residents weren't necessarily opposed to the Meijer store in Oak Creek, but not for that development, he said.

Kurkowski said Drexel Town Square should be something unique for the city and that's where his focus will be as he begins his first term.

Jakubczyk was one of three aldermen up for re-election but he was the only one who faced a challenger.

The two-term alderman stood by his support for the Drexel Town Square project and his votes, including one last year in favor of moving the library and city hall to the site.

Jakubczyk, 70, was first elected to the council in 2009. He's retired from General Electric Medical Systems and also carries a military background.

Kurkowski, 55, is a retired special agent in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Oak Creek-Franklin School Board

Incumbents Frank Carini and Paul Mason both won re-election to the Oak Creek-Franklin School Board.

According to unofficial results from Patch's media partners at WISN, Carini was the leading vote-getter with 2,261 votes (37 percent). Mason pulled in 1,388 votes (23 percent)

Challengers William McIntosh and Rosemarie Annonson each had 19 percent with just three votes separating them (1,187 and 1,184, respectively).

Carini, the board president, was first elected to the School Board in 2007. Mason is in his 10th year on the board.

Carini said he was happy the public supported the school board's efforts. He said the board has done a great job managing budgets, building relationships with teachers and keeping taxes in check.

"Our future is very positive," Carini said. "I'm glad people supported me and will continue working really hard."

Mason said he was also pleased with the results and particularly the widespread support for Carini.

"As for me, I stand ready to serve the district and our community as I have done for the past 10 years," Mason said. "This is a time of great change for school districts across the state of Wisconsin and I look forward to working with Frank, the board, and Dr. (Sara) Burmeister to meet the needs of the time."

Carini called on residents to be engaged and tell board members how they feel about issues. He noted the recent debate over school grading scales culminated after months of input from parents and teachers.

"That just tells you we are ready to listen," he said.

How Oak Creek voted in other races

Oak Creek gave its support to Don Pridemore in the race for state superintendent of schools. He got 52 percent (2,000 votes) of the Oak Creek vote, compared to 48 percent for Tony Evers, who won re-election.

State Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack won re-election and the Oak Creek vote, getting 70 percent of the vote (2,835 votes) against challenger Ed Fallone (1,189).

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Bradley also got big numbers in Oak Creek. She got 69 percent of the vote (2,675 votes) against challenger Janet Protasiewicz (1,170) and went on to win re-election.

Voter turnout in Oak Creek was 18 percent.