Wisconsin’s spring election is coming up on Tuesday, April 1, and three common council positions will be open along with the mayoral position. Once elected, each candidate will serve a term of two years. Three candidates, Karl Buelow, Paul Esslinger and Joe Stephenson are already serving on common council, and are running for reelection. Brad Spanbauer is a new candidate. Matt Mugerauer is running for reelection as mayor.
To see who is on the ballot for the spring election, Oshkosh residents can visit VOTE411.org or www.myvote.wi.gov. Voters can register on election day at their polling location and must bring a proof of residence and a form of identification. The closest polling location near UWO is the Culver Family Welcome Center.
Mayoral Candidate:
Matt Mugerauer
Education: UW Oshkosh
Website: https://www.facebook.com/MugerauerforOshkosh/
Mugerauer did not respond to email questions, but stated on his campaign’s social media page that he began his journey in public service with a few goals in mind which he continues to work on today. “Champion fiscal responsibility, transparency in our process and making each decision based upon what’s best for our entire community,” Mugerauer said.
Oshkosh Common Council Candidates:
Karl Buelow
Education: UW Oshkosh
Website: https://karlforoshkosh.wixsite.com/2023
Can you share a bit about yourself and what sets you apart as the best candidate for city council member?
“One of the reasons I ran and chose to serve on city council is my experience working with non-profits in Oshkosh. I am the only councilor that has direct experience working with organizations that directly serve our neighbors through the toughest times. I was a manager at the Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry and a director at the [Day By Day Warming Shelter], so when I am voting at city council, I think about all the people that we served in those organizations. I think about the voices that are not always able to be heard. I do a lot of work now with our refugee population that do not readily have the access to come and speak to city council, so I make sure their voices are heard through me when possible.
(*While I believe I am the only councilor that has worked for service non-profits, I will say I know a lot of the other councilors volunteer or have worked alongside agencies, I am not trying to throw shade)”
What are your key priorities if elected as city council member?
“Housing, housing and housing … next question.
In all seriousness, housing will continue to be my primary focus. We have some amazing projects in the works now, but study after study reveals we are in need of housing options at almost all levels of the continuum. I am also focused on transportation accessibility. At the pantry and shelter, I worked with many community members who rely on our public bus system, and we need to make sure that stays available and attainable to them. I serve as the council member on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and it is vital that this committee stays engaged and activated to ensure Oshkosh continues to become a more welcoming and accepting community.”
Paul Esslinger
Education: Fox Valley Technical College, Marian University
Website: N/A
Can you share a bit about yourself and what sets you apart as the best candidate for city council member?
“I’m a lifelong resident of Oshkosh and currently am a Real Estate Agent with Real Marketing Real Estate here in Oshkosh. I’m married and have two children. My son is 25 and my daughter is 23.
I served on the Council from 2000-2011. From 2009-2011 I was elected to the position of Mayor of Oshkosh. Then in 2023, I ran and was successful in my current term as Council Member.
The things that set me apart from the others is that they are younger and better looking than me, but I have several years more experience than they do. LOL.”
What are your key priorities if elected as city council member?
“My priorities are the same as they’ve always been: o listen to the residents of Oshkosh and represent their interest as best as I can. I also strive to make sure that the taxes that they contribute to Oshkosh are utilized for what they want them to be used for.”
Joseph Stephenson
Education: UW Oshkosh
Website: https://votestephenson.wixsite.com/citycouncil
Can you share a bit about yourself and what sets you apart as the best candidate for city council member?
“I believe I am a highly qualified candidate for several reasons:
- Professional Expertise – As a planner and economic development professional, I bring expert guidance on critical issues like housing and attracting high-quality, family-supporting jobs to Oshkosh. I serve at the state level as a board member of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and as a Wisconsin Representative for the American Planning Association.
- Proven Impact – Over the past two years, Oshkosh has made significant strides in housing development. We have substantially increased our housing stock and taken a bold step by creating city-led affordable workforce subdivisions—something few other cities have achieved. Additionally, we strategically used ARPA funding to support community organizations and establish a new downtown nonprofit focused on events and placemaking. To name a few things.
- Commitment to Oshkosh – Beyond my role on the Council, I am actively involved in the community. I serve on the Oshkosh Sustainability Board, where I advocate for responsible environmental policies, and on The Grand Oshkosh Board, supporting the city’s arts and cultural initiatives.”
What are your key priorities if elected as city council member?
“1. Continue expanding affordable and workforce housing initiatives to ensure that Oshkosh remains a place where everyone, regardless of income, has access to quality housing. This includes advocating for mixed-use developments, updating zoning policies to encourage diverse housing types, and leveraging grants and public-private partnerships. I also want to ensure the city lead housing developments are not a one-off but an initiative that continues into the future.
- Strengthen efforts to promote Oshkosh’s downtown as a hub for business, culture, and recreation. Support local businesses, enhance pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure, and activate public spaces to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. I would like to see the downtown 2.0 plan started and key areas within the downtown redeveloped.
- Strengthen ties with neighborhood associations, ensuring they have a voice in shaping their communities. Support initiatives that empower neighborhoods to address local issues, improve public spaces and foster a sense of belonging. A city thrives when its neighborhoods are engaged, connected and supported.
- Craft a budget that reflects the needs of all residents while ensuring financial sustainability. Advocate for a fair and transparent property assessment policy to distribute the tax burden equitably. We need to start assessing on a regular basis and not just whenever we feel like it.
- Expand green spaces and improve tree canopy coverage. Given that Oshkosh has one of the worst tree canopy coverages in the state, prioritize urban forestry initiatives, increase tree plantings in underserved areas, and integrate green infrastructure into development projects.
[In] the last two years we have secured a number of grants for reforestation and I would like to expand upon that work and see it come to fruition.”
Brad Spanbauer
Education: UW Oshkosh
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Brad-Spanbauer-for-Council-61569779896528
Can you share a bit about yourself and what sets you apart as the best candidate for city council member?
“I am running for Oshkosh City Council for a number of reasons. I am from Oshkosh but I think I can offer a unique perspective as someone who has grown up in Oshkosh, traveled extensively internationally, and has a well-rounded educational background and career experience that has allowed me to familiarize myself with multiple stakeholders at the local and state level, and how they do, and should, interact.”
What are your key priorities if elected as city council member?
“My key priorities for serving as a city council member is to ensure that city budgets and priorities align with setting up Oshkosh for a strong, resilient future and protecting what makes Oshkosh unique — all while ensuring good communication, transparency and accountability. My background as an ecologist helps me see networks of people as an ecosystem, each with a role to play in the sum of all the parts. My work as a campus administrator has allowed me to become familiar with budgets, strategic utility management and planning for the future of the [UW Oshkosh’s] physical development. For example, by developing a strategic plan around our utilities at UWO, the work I am leading with our facilities team has allowed the campus to realize a savings of $562,000 since July 1, 2024. I will bring this kind of critical thinking and analysis to my role as City Council Member.”
