Holly Gilvary
RACINE — Four new faces will join City of Racine Common Council this month, as decided by the April 1 election.
Voters on Tuesday unseated three incumbents in favor of newcomers, electing Malik Frazier for District 1, Jens Jorgensen for District 5 and Nathan Pabon for District 15.
Grace Allen won the race for District 9 against fellow newcomer Patrick Schwanke. District 9 incumbent Alder Terry McCarthy did not seek reelection.
District 11 incumbent Alder Mary Land secured her seat against challenger Michael Hansen.
Four districts get new alders
Jorgensen, who defeated District 5 incumbent Alder Melissa Kaprelian with just under 52% of the vote, said he’s most excited to collaborate with other council members and “really try to bring everyone together.”
“When I was knocking on doors, talking to voters, they shared time and time again that they wanted the council to come together and work together, and not be so divisive to where we have these boycotts and everything else that’s going on,” he said.
Jorgensen “fully intend(s)” to carry out the promises he made during the campaign, including protecting the Racine Public Library and addressing speeding and traffic issues to promote neighborhood safety.
Pabon, who won the race for District 15 against incumbent Alder Cory Sebastian, said it’s important that elected officials never forget the constituents who voted them into office.
Serving as an elected official, he said, is not about playing “partisan politics, not rubber stamping, not being an obstructionist, but going there to represent our constituents and their voice, and helping to make our city a better place.”
While Racine faces a lot of issues, Pabon said, “we also have a lot to be proud of.”
“There’s a lot that has come from our city, so I think when we band together and we work together for the common goal of making our community a better place for everyone, that’s when we really win, because we are rooted in our city,” he said.
Pabon said he looks forward to working on the Racine Police Department contract, helping businesses in his district thrive and getting to know his constituents.
Frazier won District 1 with more than 61% of the vote against incumbent Alder Jeff Coe.
Frazier said he is especially excited to work with downtown businesses and discover “how I can best be that support from the city in terms of resources, relationships, exposure.”
Allen said in a Facebook post that she is “beyond honored” to be the alderman-elect for District 9.
“This victory is not just mine — it belongs to all of us who believe in a stronger, safer, and more connected community,” Allen said. “I am committed to working effectively with my fellow Common Council members to ensure that we are making the best decisions for Racine.”
Reactions from incumbents
Kaprelian said she respects the voters’ decision and that while her role has now changed, her “commitment to the community remains unwavering.”
“I wish the new, incoming alder success in addressing the challenges facing our district and our city,” she said. “Racine does deserve leadership that listens to all the voices and makes decisions with both present and future generations in mind.”
Sebastian said her time on the council, serving District 15 and the city as a whole has been a pleasure.
“I have maintained independence from any political party, as I have and as I will continue to do so,” she said.
The newly elected and reelected alders will be sworn in at Common Council’s April 15 meeting.
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| Frazier |
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| Jorgensen |
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| Land |
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