KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna’s mayor will have a challenger in the spring election following the deadline Tuesday for candidates to file nomination papers.
Incumbent Mayor Tony Penterman will face Daniel Schafer in the Tuesday, April 7, 2026 spring election.
Penterman, Kaukauna’s mayor since 2018, is running for a fifth, two-year term.
“I will continue to work diligently with my constituents, the common council and city staff to make Kaukauna a great and safe, community to live, work and play,” Penterman said in a campaign announcement.
Schafer, who works with Laborers Union 330 and owns Brighter Futures Counseling Services, LLC, is a 2005 graduate of Kaukauna High School. He served in the Army National Guard for seven years and twice in Iraq.
“I am a hardworking family man who understands the importance of transparency, honesty, and being open with the people I serve,” Schafer said in his Facebook page.
He said he is running for mayor because he is concerned about the direction our community is heading —particularly with frivolous spending and a lack of transparency around how our hard-earned tax dollars are being used.
Follow Schafer on his Facebook page HERE.
Follow Penterman on his Facebook page HERE.
Incumbent City Attorney Tim Greenwood and Incumbent Municipal Judge Tim Hufschmid are running unopposed.
Alderperson District 1 Jennie Eggleston, Alderperson District 2 John Moore, Alderperson District 3 Mary Jo Kilgas and Alderperson District 4 Marty Schumacher all are running unopposed.
Kaukauna Area School District Board of Education
Incumbent Charles West and Annika Schuller-Rach are running for two seats on the Kaukauna Area School District Board of Education. Sue Gertz is not running for re-election.
