Jan. 6, 2026 9p
(WGTD)---Samantha Kerkman will sail into her second term as Kenosha County Executive. Kerkman drew no opponent for re-election this spring. The filing deadline for the non-partisan April races was Tuesday night. Four years ago, the former state representative defeated Clerk of Courts Rebecca Mastoska-Mentink to replace Jim Kreuser, who retired.
In races for the Kenosha County Board, five incumbents drew opposition. Laura Belsky will face Jon Kim. Felix Garcia will go up against David Lux, although at last report Lux’ nominating petition signatures were still being verified. In other races, incumbent Guida Brown will face Zach Stock in a rematch. John Franco will be challenged by Dan McKnight. And Dave Geersten drew opposition from Lee Broadway, Sr.
Four incumbents chose not to seek re-election. They are board chair Monica Yuhas, Jeffrey Gentz, Andres Gama and Frederick Brookhouse. Luke Pollock is a shoe-in to replace Yuhas as no one else filed for the seat. Pollock recently retired from a career in manufacturing. For the seat currently held by Gentz, Annette Flynn will go up against Riki Tagliapietra. Running to replace Gama will be Duane O’Keefe and Dave Tarzon. Running to fill Brookhouse’s seat are Jeff Cologna and Andreas Mamalakis.
All 17 seats on the Kenosha City Council will be on the spring ballot, although only six are being contested.
In the third district, incumbent Jan Michalski has drawn opposition from Josh Maglasang. In the 4th, Rex Davenport, who was recently appointed to the position after Holly Kangas resigned, will run against Craig Sadur. Incumbent Brandi Rose Ferree will be challenged by Red Arnold. Keith Rosenberg will go up against Nicholas Prorok. In the 12th , Leticia Packard will challenge incumbent Ruth Dyson.
Two incumbents are not seeking re-election. They are Jack Rose and Kenny Harper. Harper’s seat will be filled by former alderman Dan Prozanski, who entered the race only after learning that Harper had to move out of the district. No other candidate filed. Prozanski served 16 years on the council before stepping down two years ago to make way for Harper. The candidates running for Rose’s seat are former alderman Jesse Downing and newcomer Julia Metallo.
Nine incumbents will have no opposition, unless write-in candidates emerge.
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