Wauwatosa alderpersons favor third‑party candidate forums, agree to offer city space if chamber hosts

City staff asked the Government Affairs Committee to authorize staff to coordinate a candidate forum for alder and municipal judge races ahead of the April 2026 election and described possible dates and formats. The city had previously partnered with the Wauwatosa West/Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce to moderate forums.

Several alderpersons — including Alder First, Alder McClough, Alder Moldenhauer and Alder Phillips — said the city should avoid crafting questions or appearing to host a forum in races that include incumbents, and they recommended that a third party such as the chamber or neighborhood associations handle format and questions. “I think there’s a huge conflict of interest for those who are sitting when nine people decide what the format is like,” Alder First said, urging neutrality and suggesting library or other neutral spaces.

Alder Arnie warned that if no community group steps forward the city may need to help ensure forums occur, given the council restructuring and contested races. Administrator Archambault said staff can reach out to the chamber to offer the Lower Civic Center without a fee if the chamber wants to host, and staff would communicate council feedback to the chamber. City staff said they do not intend to craft questions or otherwise run the forum; the chamber would set format and moderating if it agrees.

Committee members supported offering space and asked staff to convey the committee’s preference that a third party run the forum and that the city’s role be limited to providing space and public notice. No formal resolution was enacted at the meeting; staff will contact the chamber and return with any updates if the chamber agrees to host.