Milwaukee Ald. Mark Borkowski won't seek re-election, two candidates throw hat in the ring
Ald. Mark Borkowski of Milwaukee's south side 11th district announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election in 2024.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have represented the south side for 32 years,” Borkowski, who earlier represented the area on the Milwaukee County Board, said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. ”I entered public service to be the voice of my constituents, and I am proud of my record of constituent service and responsible public policy."
District 11 is situated in the southwest leg of Milwaukee, which includes the Alverno College, Fairview, Wedgewood, Lyons Park, White Manor, Alcott Park, Honey Creek Manor and Jackson Park neighborhoods.
Borkowski, 65, was elected to the Common Council in a 2015 special election held to fill the vacant seat after his predecessor, Joe Dudzik, died in a motorcycling accident.
Borkowski serves as the chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee Committee and the vice chair of the Licenses Committee.
The alderman formerly served as a county supervisor between 1992 and 2016.
Borkowski has $8,500 in his campaign bank account — money that he can use to help other candidates. He has yet to endorse a candidate.
"I'm going to keep a very, very open mind," Borkowski told the Journal Sentinel. "I'd like to see what else is out there."
The general election will be held on April 2, 2024.
Milwaukee County Supervisor Peter Burgelis has thrown his hat in the ring by announcing his campaign for the aldermanic seat Tuesday afternoon.
"When I think good public service I want to be able to make a difference and improve quality of life in my community," Burgelis told the Journal Sentinel. "There's a lot of impacts a legislator can make on the County Board of Supervisors, but alder at the City of Milwaukee is certainly a much bigger role."
Lee Whiting, a member of the city's Safety and Civic Commission, is running for the seat. Borkowski appointed Whiting to the commission on Oct. 12, 2021.
Whiting filed for candidacy on Sept. 9, 2022. He has raised $5,355, including $4,899 coming from loans, according to his campaign finance reports.
Whiting could not be reached for comment.
Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or vswales@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Vanessa_Swales.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Ald. Borkowski won't seek re-election, setting up for
