Scaffidi, Verhalen Advance in Mayoral Primary

Oak Creek Alderman Steve Scaffidi swept all six voting districts in Tuesday's mayoral primaries and will face School Board member Mark Verhalen in the general election April 3. 

According to unofficial election results, Scaffidi captured 49 percent of the vote (1,686 votes). Verhalen finished with 32 percent of the vote (1,095).

Alderman Tom Michalski finished third with 19 percent (669) and was eliminated. Results remain unofficial until the Board of Canvassers meets Wednesday.

Voter turnout was 18 percent.

Scaffidi said he was happy with the results and plans to keep his campaign on the same track in the run-up to the April election.

"I felt like I was all over the city," he said. "I talked to a lot of people. I think I did what I needed to do to get my message out. I think people for the most part agreed with my take on the issues.

"Not going to change - the next five weeks, it's going to be more of the same. Talking to people, knocking on doors. Doing the same things."

Verhalen said with the low turnout he wouldn't read too closely into the vote totals but plans to work hard to improve his numbers.

"I think we can present our side a little bit better," he said. "Definitely not discouraged at all."

The campaigning also won't end for Michalski, who finished second in the race to keep his aldermanic seat. He moved on to the general election with 38 percent of the vote in that race and will face Chris Guzikowski, who finished with 55 percent.

Michalski couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday night.

What voters said about Delphi

The election came just two weeks after Mayor Al Foeckler broke a 3-3 tie that paved the way for a new city hall and library to be constructed as part of the Delphi redevelopment project at the corner of Howell and Drexel avenues. 

The mayoral candidates were split on the proposal. Michalski voted for the move and Scaffidi against. Verhalen, an Oak Creek-Franklin School Board member, said he favored building a new library at the current site and putting off construction of a city hall.

Voters interviewed by Oak Creek Patch had conflicting opinions as well but said it wasn't the reason why they voted for one candidate over another.

Clarence Lechner, 45, said he's fine with the move as long as property taxes are not impacted.

"I just don't think we should overspend to build a new city hall, but if it's within our budget I think it's OK," he said after voting at the school administration building. 

Theresa Wrecza, a 73-year resident of Oak Creek, preferred to keep them at Puetz and Howell.

"I don't think it really should be moved," she said. "I think it should stay where it is."

John Meise contributed to this report.

Check out a recap of our live blog from City Hall Tuesday night.