Kathy Ehley, Village BID Director, To Run for Wauwatosa Mayor

A fourth candidate for mayor of Wauwatosa has emerged as Kathy Ehley, executive director of the Village of Wauwatosa Business Improvement District, threw her hat in the ring.

Ehley said Thursday she had filed her candidacy earlier in the day.

"Yes, I did put in my papers," she said. "I'm excited about the opportunity, and I think it's the right time. After 40 years in Wauwatosa and with an accumulation of knowledge and relationships, I'm ready."

As BID director, Ehley has overseen the development of the Village from an underoccupied district to what has become a metropolitan mecca of noteworthy shops and restaurants.

Now, she says, she's ready to spread that concept across Wauwatosa.

"I plan on this being a very inclusive campaign based on thoughtful solutions," she said.

This year, Ehley shepherded a proposal through the city bureaucracy for an improvement plan for the Village to be incorporated into the city's official long-range development plan. But outside the Village, she also supported a similar plan for the East Tosa district along North Avenue.

Other candidates for mayor include , and Ald. . With more than two candidates in the race, and unless any two would drop out, a primary will be held Feb. 21 to reduce the field to two. The top two vote-getters will square off in the April 3 general election.

Sitting Mayor Jill Didier will step down Jan. 3 to , and Common Council President Eric Meaux will take over as acting mayor until a new mayor is sworn in after the April election.