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Common Council appoints Laurie Fabian as interim municipal judge
Summary
The Waukesha City Common Council voted 7–5 on Feb. 3, 2026, to appoint municipal attorney Laurie Fabian as interim municipal judge through April 30, 2026; an oath was administered at the meeting. The council cited Fabian's municipal-court experience in backing the appointment.
The Waukesha City Common Council on Feb. 3 appointed Laurie Fabian as interim municipal judge to serve through April 30, 2026, following a 7–5 roll-call vote. The appointment came after the council heard brief introductions and answered questions from two other applicants, Richard Stecroft and Christopher Drought.
Fabian, a downtown Waukesha attorney who said she has "substantial knowledge and understanding of the municipal courts, how they work," told the council she prosecutes municipal matters and has served as village prosecutor for Pewaukee since 2004. She said her practice is winding down, and that she believes she could step into the judicial role "with the first court date" and minimal learning curve for local procedures.
Council member Alden Piper moved to appoint Fabian; Eric Payne seconded the motion. Piper said his choice was based on experience, telling colleagues the motion was "based on the fact that she simply has a little bit more municipal experience." Opponents noted Christopher Drought had greater interest in running for the seat in April; Alderman Rick Lemke said he favored Drought because Drought expressed intent to run for the seat in the upcoming election.
Drought, who described more than two decades of legal practice and federal-court experience, expressed condolences to the late Judge Wimmer and said he "would welcome this opportunity" and had interest in running for the seat if appointed.
After brief discussion the council voted. The clerk recorded two explicit "no" votes—Rick Lemke and Christine—and the mayor announced the motion passed 7–5. The council then administered the oath of office and Fabian thanked members for their support.
Why it matters: The interim appointment fills the municipal-judge vacancy until the term expires April 30, 2026, and the person appointed will handle municipal traffic and ordinance matters that come before Waukesha municipal court.
Next steps: The appointment is effective immediately; the council noted a separate election or write-in process could follow depending on who seeks the seat in April.
