Fifth Candidate Announces Run For Assembly Seat

A fifth Republican has entered the mix in the special state Assembly election later this fall. 

KEI executive Chris Kujawa announced Friday he will run for the 21st Assembly District seat vacated by Mark Honadel, who resigned Monday. 

"I have lived in the area all my life and know the issues families face because my family has faced them too," Kujawa said in a statement. "I've also run a business here and know how important it is to help local companies grow—not weigh them down with what government thinks is best."


Kujawa, of South Milwaukee, joins a crowded Republican field that also includes Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl, school-choice advocate Jessie Rodriguez, local tea party officer Larry Gamble and South Milwaukee resident Jason "Red" Arnold. 

With four days left to circulate nomination papers, no Democrats have yet publicly announced their intentions to run for the seat. 

A primary will be held Oct. 22, with the general election Nov. 19. 

Kujawa, 51, is an executive vice president for KEI, an Oak Creek-based landscaping firm. He touted his business experience, saying it's much like Honadel's, who he praised for working with both parties and "standing up for what's right."

"Since the Great Recession of 2008, small businesses have had to be incredibly smart with their spending decisions and growth strategies just to survive," Kujawa said. "I know how hard it has been. With health care and other challenges coming at us, I want to be in Madison to make sure Wisconsin government does what’s right for the people and businesses of the 21st Assembly District."