MADISON, Wis. — Today, radical Milwaukee politician Peter Burgelis announced his candidacy for Congress in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, a district where he does not live and cannot easily move to without resigning his current office. Southeast Wisconsin families cannot afford a candidate more focused on Milwaukee politics than on the needs of the 1st District.
“Southeast Wisconsin can’t afford an out-of-district Milwaukee politician like Peter Burgelis. His record shows a clear contrast to the needs of Southeast Wisconsin, including voting for increased sales taxes and verbally abusing female staff,” stated WisGOP Spokesperson Anika Rickard. “He needs to decide who he wants to represent: the people of Milwaukee, where he lives and serves as alderman, or the hardworking families of the 1st District, where he has never lived.”
Key Facts on Peter Burgelis:
- Burgelis resides in Milwaukee’s 4th Congressional District. He cannot simply move into the 1st District without resigning his position as Milwaukee Alderman.
- Milwaukee officials have accused Burgelis of being verbally abusive toward female staff and disregarding their expertise.
- As a Milwaukee County Supervisor, Burgelis voted for a sales tax increase that nearly doubled the county’s portion of the tax, adding an estimated $80 million annually in costs borne by working families. He reportedly told reporters he “can’t think of a fiscal reason not to” support the hike.
- Burgelis has been previously endorsed by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, a group advocating for:
- Taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants
- Eliminating voter ID requirements (opposed by roughly 80% of Americans in many polls)
- Defunding the police and releasing half the prison population
- Decriminalizing prostitution and recreational drug use
Congressman Bryan Steil’s Strong Record for Working Families
In contrast, Congressman Bryan Steil has delivered real results for Southeast Wisconsin:
- Voted for the largest middle-class tax cut in U.S. history (2017 TCJA), which increased average take-home pay for families by about $250 per month.
- Created a new $6,000 senior deduction, meaning 88% of Social Security recipients no longer pay federal taxes on their benefits.
- Reduced taxes on tips and overtime pay.
- Made permanent and increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200.
Last cycle, Steil defeated a top Democratic recruit by more than 10 points despite millions in outside spending against him.
Bottom Line: Peter Burgelis is a Milwaukee insider with a record of higher taxes, verbally abusing staff, and fringe policy ties. Southeast Wisconsin voters deserve a proven fighter for lower costs, safer communities, and common-sense representation, not an out-of-touch politician from outside the district.
