The Milton Common Council has selected Micah Wright to fill the alderperson seat left vacant when Sharla Walker resigned in August after relocating out of the city. Wright is expected to serve the remainder of the term, which runs until April 2027.
Selection and background
Council’s decision came after a short application process that produced five contenders for the seat. Wright, an assistant history professor at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, brings an academic background and previous military experience to the role. He has served as a public-relations non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Active Guard Reserve and Army Reserve.
In a cover letter to the council, Wright said he was committed to representing the community. He wrote:
"My professional experience has prepared me to conduct the research necessary to competently represent residents’ interests and communicate those interests effectively."
Who else applied
City records and council reports identify four other applicants who sought the seat but were not chosen:
- Ben Humbert
- Bart Droessler — identified as a former county board supervisor candidate
- Max Olson — chair of the Historic Preservation committee
- John Pethtel — member of the Plan Commission
| Candidate | Background |
|---|---|
| Micah Wright | Assistant history professor; public-relations NCO in U.S. Active Guard Reserve and Army Reserve |
| Ben Humbert | Applicant (background not detailed in council release) |
| Bart Droessler | Former county board supervisor candidate |
| Max Olson | Historic Preservation chair |
| John Pethtel | Plan Commission member |
What this means for Milton
The appointment fills a seat with roughly six months left before the next municipal term ends in April 2027. For residents, the change restores full representation on council benches and ensures wards have a voice in decisions on budgets, planning and local services for the remainder of the term.
Council appointments to fill mid-term vacancies are common in municipalities when an elected member steps down before their term expires. In this case, Walker’s resignation in August — prompted by a move outside Milton — created the vacancy. The replacement process rests with council, which reviewed applications and chose Wright from the five candidates.
Wright’s mix of academic training and military public-relations experience suggests he intends to emphasise research and communication in the role. Beyond his written commitment to represent residents, the council’s vote brings him into municipal business at a moment when local priorities such as planning and heritage — areas linked to some applicants’ backgrounds — remain on the civic agenda.
Residents seeking more detail on council deliberations or Wright’s initial priorities should consult council meeting minutes and future public agendas, where appointments and any statements from the new appointee will be recorded.
For now, Milton’s Common Council returns to a full roster with Wright seated as alderperson until the scheduled end of the term in April 2027.
