An election cycle always seems to be coming and going for Wisconsinites; we are constantly reminded of our importance as a battleground state. State senate races, judicial elections and many others continually shape the political landscape and draw national attention. However, many overlook the mayoral race occurring in our own town. Planted in front yards, clustered near busy intersections, and scattered in public spaces, campaign signs have begun to pop up across the landscape. Bright blue and bold white lettering compete for attention, each carrying the name of a candidate who hopes to lead the city forward. Among those names, two frontrunners have emerged: Emily Kuhn and Lisa Janairo.
Kuhn Cites Job Growth and Housing
The incumbent mayor Emily Kuhn is currently seeking reelection after first being elected in April 2023. Prior to becoming mayor, Kuhn served four years as a Middleton City Council member representing District 4, which includes neighborhoods around Lakeview Park and Sauk Trail Elementary School. During her time as mayor, the city has seen several major initiatives and changes, one of the most notable being her push to expand housing development in Middleton, which has improved housing availability, particularly on the city’s northside around High Road and Parmenter Street.
According to her election website, under Kuhn’s leadership, “[Middleton] moved from approving just 10 single-family homes per year to more than 200 annually.”
That 10-home average figure comes from the 2018-23 period prior to her election. This rapid development was made possible by a 2023 zoning ordinance rewrite, the first since the 1980s, aiming to increase housing affordability by allowing for smaller lot sizes and duplex-style developments.
Apart from the urban development that emerged under her tenure, Kuhn’s administration played an essential role in keeping 1,800 Thermo Fisher jobs in Middleton. Thermo Fisher, a major manufacturer of scientific instruments and research software, is the city’s largest employer, featuring a 72,500-square-foot, $58 million laboratory facility that opened in 2024 as a result of Kuhn’s push at the state capitol to keep business local. This further bolsters Middleton’s burgeoning industrial park on Airport Road.
However, the decisions of her administration have not gone without criticism. While Mayor Kuhn has been praised for initiatives such as rapid urban development, these projects have also sparked concerns of overpopulation, congestion, and increased pressure on our town’s highly rated schools. Since 2020, according to the US Census Bureau, Middleton’s population has grown from roughly 21,800 to about 23,500 today, an increase of nearly 1,700 residents. As our town runs out of open green space, the issues persist.
In response to these concerns during our previous interview, Mayor Kuhn stated: “Building more homes at multiple price points lets seniors downsize, young families move in, and the community stays balanced.”
By creating multiple housing options at different price points, Kuhn’s urbanization plan aims to balance growth with the needs of residents.
Janairo Runs on Transparency and Long-Term Planning
Candidate Lisa Janairo is no stranger to Middleton city government. She currently serves as the District 6 council member on the Common Council, representing the Misty Valley, Middleton Hills and the Northside Neighborhood around High Road. Over the past four years, she has shaped city policy through her work on eight committees, commissions and boards.
Notably, she has served on the Finance/Personnel Committee, which oversees city budget and financial planning; the Plan Commission, responsible for reviewing all development and construction plans; and the Workforce Housing Committee, an advisory body focused on housing affordability and planning for working-level households. During our interview, Lisa Janairo reflected on her experience stating,
“I learned all about things like city finances, transportation infrastructure, our water resources and storm water management, [as well as] our growth and development,” Janairo said. “I’m very familiar with the city’s budget and some of the challenges we face.”
Janairo’s campaign promises transparency, community outreach, sustainability and a vision for our city’s future, presenting herself as a candidate who will bring experience and commitment to the mayor’s office.
She has highlighted her efforts to keep residents informed and engaged during her years on City Council through a monthly newsletter, which she does because she wants “people to understand city government […] and [for] people to hold me accountable as their elected official,” a practice she plans to continue during her mayoral term.
Janairo also has plans to engage normally underrepresented groups in government decision making, chiefly, younger residents through this newsletter. She intends to engage younger residents through a proposed Mayor’s Council of Youth, which would include a group of high school, middle school and even elementary school students. The council would regularly share their perspectives and give insight into what it’s like to grow up in Middleton.
“I want to hear from young people directly,” Janairo said, “Are you able to get around town easily? Do you feel safe walking [outside]? I want to strengthen our sense of community between young people and the rest of the city.”
Janairo also emphasizes that city development must come sustainably and with thoughtful planning strategies. Due in part to her time on the Sustainability Committee, she is committed to a goal of 100% renewable energy for Middleton by 2050 and often asks developers to consider how their projects can work towards or against this goal.
She says apartments are the key; they have less of an ecological footprint per person and will provide affordable housing options in a high-demand market with limited space. Additionally, placing apartments in areas with good transit access, such as bus stops, can reduce traffic congestion.
She prioritizes preserving the elements that make Middleton a special place, such as conservancy lands, parks and recreational facilities.
“If we can preserve those things, even as Middleton grows, we will remain the good neighbor city,” Janairo stated.
How the Race Will Impact Middleton’s Future
As Middleton voters head to the polls, they will have to choose between two candidates with different approaches to growth, community engagement and city management. Eligible voters, including Middleton High School students who are 18 or older, will have the opportunity to make their voices heard on Tuesday, April 7. Emily Kuhn emphasizes rapid housing development and job retention, while Lisa Janairo focuses on transparency, sustainability and long-term planning. The outcome will decide how the city handles these issues in the years ahead, shaping Middleton’s future.
