Larson, Laskowski advance in Germantown

Germantown - The primary for Germantown School Board became unusually heated thanks to some online forums and partisan disagreements. In the end, enough voters turned out to help Sarah Larson and Lisa Laskowski advance from the primary for Seat 1. Christina Wolf-Lang did not get enough votes to make it to the April 3 general election as two of the three candidates move on.

The vote total, according to unofficial results Tuesday:

Sara Larson 1,096

Lisa Laskowski 453

Christina Wolf-Lang 146

Those numbers represent the Germantown vote total only and do not include the sections of Richfield, Colgate and Polk in the district.

Laskowski had filed in an extended window after incumbent Kim Fischer was late filing her noncandidacy papers. Now, she's advanced through the primary and will face off against Larson, the winner by more than a 2-to-1 margin.

"I think that a lot of voters in the community wait until after the primary to select a preferred candidate. In the next six weeks, I'm confident there will be growing support for my candidacy," Laskowski said Tuesday.

Comments on NOW's website between Laskowski and Larson supporters became aggressive and confrontational, something both candidates said was disappointing.

"I think we can have a race and have it be cordial so that's my goal," Larson said Tuesday.

"I want to act in the interest of the citizens of Germantown and give them the best of what I have to offer."

Much of the controversy centered around Larson's support for Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill, drawing criticism from some who oppose Walker's collective bargaining reforms.

Larson has been an advocate of the changes to health insurance made by the district and has been a vocal part of the process as a community member at meetings. She said much of the digital debate was based on things she claims aren't true.

"I wanted to clarify, but I said 'You know what, let people do their research,' and I think people came to the right conclusion today," she said.

"I'm going to stick to my convictions on what I think I can bring to the School Board."

Laskowski, for her part, says she wants to remove politics from the race.

"I'm disappointed by my opponent and her supporters for injecting politics into a nonpartisan race. Partisan divisiveness has no part on the School Board."

The general election is April 3. A forum for the candidates to speak on the issues will be held March 14 at a time and place to be determined later.

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