Couto And Lynn Set To Be Shorewood's Next Village Trustees

SHOREWOOD, WI — Eric Couto and Jerry Lynn are set to be Shorewood's two newest Village Trustees, according to unofficial results reported by the village. Both would be newcomers to the board.

Turnout in Tuesday's election clocked in at around 29 percent, with 2,869 ballots cast out of the village's 9,671 registered voters, those village results say. According to Milwaukee County's results page, 1,571 absentee ballots were issued, and 1,191 came back.

The vote totals are unofficial until canvassed, and voters were able to select two out of the three candidates for village board on the ballot. Here are the latest results:

Eric Couto: 1,848

Jerry Lynn: 1,542

Noah Wolfe: 1,227

In a statement on his campaign Facebook claiming the victory Tuesday evening, Lynn said running "has been an incredibly fulfilling experience."

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to continuing the work of the board to build a brighter future for the Village," Lynn wrote.

Wolfe told Patch in a statement that although the results were not what he was looking for, he is "happy for Eric and Jerry on their election victories."

"I hope they will both work to represent Shorewood well and collaborate with all residents, including renters and students, to do what is best for the Village as a whole community," Wolfe said. "I look forward to continuing to be involved in Shorewood politics and to remain an advocate for communities often not heard enough by the Village. Thank you to everyone who supported my campaign with yard signs, contributions, votes and more. I am encouraged by all of the people who believe that young adults and young people should have a voice on the Shorewood Village Board."

Couto did not immediately reply to Patch's request for comment Wednesday.

Each candidate approached their candidacy from a long history in the village, and each had unique views on key issues. Housing affordability marked one of the most touched-upon issues in the race leading to Tuesday's election.

Incumbents Tammy Bockhorst and Wesley Warren did not run in the race. Those who took the most votes Tuesday are set to join four other Trustees and Village President Anne McCullough McKaig.

Couto, who told Patch ahead of the election he was running in an effort to work with neighbors to make sure Shorewood is a great community to live, work and raise a family in, approached candidacy with recent experience on the Plan Commission and the Wilson Drive Task Force.

He said aging infrastructure, environmental sustainability, housing affordability, and transparent governance are issues that "deeply concern me."

"I hear everyday from residents that we need to find a way to work together to address lead laterals, safe drinking water, affordable housing and closed government," Couto wrote for his Patch Candidate Profile.

Lynn, who told Patch he was running because he believes "the Village is in a great position for growth in the next few years," said it will be necessary to "leverage community input in constructive and impactful ways to ensure that completed projects meet the high standards of Shorewood and better the Milwaukee community at large."

"I hope to act as a guarantee to the community that racial justice will always be on the forefront of my decision making," Lynn wrote for a Patch Candidate Profile. "The Village also needs to be on the forefront of inclusivity for our handicapped, disabled, and senior citizen neighbors as well."

Lynn also approached candidacy with experience as the Co-Chair of the Pedestrian and Bike Safety Committee.

Couto approached the issue of housing affordability saying it "will require a multi-tool approach using affordable housing, an end to village-sponsored corporate subsidies and an increase in government efficiencies."

Lynn said that when on the board he would hope to "further the efforts to create Affordable Housing options, specifically to help tackle the problems caused by decades of racist segregation in the Milwaukee area."

More on the candidates:

Candidate Profile: Eric Couto For Shorewood Village Board

Candidate Profile: Jerry Lynn For Shorewood Village Board

Candidate Profile: Noah Wolfe For Shorewood Village Board