Challenger Verhalen Defeats Incumbent Cerniglia in Squeaker

Mark Verhalen narrowly defeated incumbent Sheryl Cerniglia Tuesday night in the race for Oak Creek-Franklin School Board.

Verhalen won with 50.1 percent of the vote, just 30 votes more than Cerniglia (49.8 percent). Unofficial results show Verhalen with 4,381 votes compared to 4,351 for Cerniglia.

All results remain unofficial until certified by the Board of Canvassers, which meets Wednesday.

"It came right down to the wire," Verhalen said when told of the results. 

Verhalen said he thought it was his business experience which resonated with voters in this election.

He said he was excited about moving forward and getting acclimated to the School Board.

"Anytime you try to get an incumbent out it's tough," he said. "I'm glad we pulled it out."

Cerniglia watched the returns as they came in at City Hall Tuesday night, and for a brief moment it looked like she had won.

But after the three Franklin districts that make up the Oak Creek-Franklin School Districts were reported, she realized she was barely defeated.

"Very disappointing, just because of all the hard work I put in and my volunteers put in trying to get the word out," she said moments after the results were posted. "It's hard to overcome the name recognition to someone who's been in the community his whole life."

She was referring to Verhalen's past runs for office - he served one term on the Oak Creek Common Council - and his prior work in the community.

Cerniglia said she will still be active in the school district and is "leaning toward" running for the board again next year.

"I won't be giving up," she said. "I still plan to attend board meetings and be advocates for students and the taxpayers in the district because I really felt like I was the best candidate.

"But the voters spoke."

Voter turnout in Oak Creek was 44.5 percent, an unusually number for a spring election. Two high-profile races contributed to that total - those for Milwaukee County executive and state Supreme Court.