Embattled Outgoing Mayor John Antaramian Endorses Bogdala To Succeed Him

Copied!
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian (D) and Alderman David Bogdala
(Both Photos, Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian (D) has endorsed David Bogdala (R) to succeed him as the 51st mayor of Kenosha, a source has confirmed. Antaramian will be completing his 24th year as mayor, having served from 1992 to 2008, and then again from 2016 until when his term expires next month.

Paid Advertisement

Antaramian is a lifelong democrat, having been a representative in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1985 to 1993. Antaramian decided not to seek re-election shortly after what most people call a failure of leadership during the Kenosha riots.  Bogdala, who was the City Council President at the time is happy to accept the endorsement. Antaramian also oversaw the city at its highest homicide rate ever (15 in 2021).

Paid Advertisement

Bogdala, a once prominent leader in the Kenosha County Republican Party, changed his political affiliation in public to that of a democrat in 2016, when Antaramian was elected for his second stretch. This was done as a strategic move to position himself in the best light to be elected mayor of a mostly-democrat city. In private, Bogdala is a republican. As an Alderman, however, he voted more than 95% with the democrat mayor. For Bogdala’s first 15 years in office, he opposed the Kenosha Casino at every turn. In 2023, however, he pledged his support of the casino to the Mayor. This is about the time that Antaramian made the commitment to endorse Bogdala.

Paid Advertisement
Lydia Spottswood (D) – Candidate for Kenosha Mayor
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The mayoral race is expected to be a close one. Bogdala’s opponent, retired nurse and former Alderman Lydia Spottswood, has been a Democrat her whole life. She openly admits as much. Here is a list of her recent campaign contributions:

Paid Advertisement

The election will occur on April 2, 2024.

Paid Advertisement

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Long-Time Detective Resigns Amid Internal Investigation into Mishandled Cases

Kenosha, Wis. — A longtime Kenosha police detective has resigned just days before the conclusion of a sweeping internal investigation that sources say uncovered years of mishandled cases and investigative shortcuts. Detective Jason Melichar, who joined the Kenosha Police Department in 1999, resigned effective April 2, 2025, according to a department spokesperson. KPD confirmed that Melichar stepped down before the internal inquiry had concluded but declined to comment further, citing the investigation as a personnel matter.

Read More »

Ziminski’s Bid for Early Prison Release Denied by Kenosha Judge

Kenosha, Wis. — Joshua Ziminski, the man who fired the first gunshot during the August 2020 riots in Kenosha, has been denied early release from prison. Ziminski, 40, is serving a three-year prison term after pleading guilty last year to armed robbery and armed burglary stemming from an August 2022 incident. Prosecutors said Ziminski and his wife, Kelly, robbed a man at knifepoint and attempted to withdraw cash from his bank account. As part of a

Read More »
MORE TOP STORIES

Pleasant Prairie Police Department Opens Doors to the Public with State-of-the-Art Facility

Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — Residents in Pleasant Prairie will get their first public look inside the community’s new police station during an open house on Saturday, April 12, offering a glimpse into what law enforcement officials say is a facility built for both the present and the future. Located just south of Village Hall at 10111 39th Avenue, the new 58,000-square-foot station represents a significant leap forward for the Pleasant Prairie Police Department. After years of

Read More »

High-Speed Chase Ends in Courtroom: One Faces Potential Child Pornography Charges

Kenosha, Wis. — A 23-year-old Milwaukee man who led sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase through western Kenosha County is being held on $75,000 cash bail as prosecutors weigh possible child pornography charges related to his relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Jose Luis Soto-Nunez appeared in Kenosha County Circuit Court on March 27 and faces six felony charges stemming from the March 26 incident, including fleeing police, multiple counts of recklessly endangering safety, and operating a

Read More »

New Christian School Opens in Kenosha With Free Tuition for Eligible Families

Kenosha, Wis. — A new private school offering free tuition for qualifying families has opened in Kenosha, thanks to a partnership between Shining Star Christian Schools and Heritage Baptist Church. The new campus is located inside Heritage Baptist Church at 2313 17th Ave., and enrollment is now open for students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. Pastor Curtis McMiller, who leads the church, said he’s excited to welcome families and provide children with access to a quality,

Read More »

Salem Man Gets Two-Year Sentence in Fond du Lac Despite High-Speed Chase, Firearm, and Drug Allegations

Kenosha, Wis. — A 24-year-old Salem man with a long history of criminal charges was sentenced to just two years in prison last month after pleading guilty to multiple felonies tied to a 2021 high-speed chase that endangered motorists and law enforcement in Fond du Lac County. Trenton Benjamin Kmiec, the son of local attorney and ousted politician, Theodore “Ted” Kmiec, appeared before Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker on Feb. 25, 2025. Walker

Read More »

Deputy Suspended Over Retaliatory Traffic Stop After Middle Finger Incident

Kenosha, Wis. — The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office has disciplined a deputy who conducted a questionable traffic stop after a driver gave him the middle finger — a gesture protected by the First Amendment. Deputy Manuel Mandujano Jr. received a one-day unpaid suspension and mandatory constitutional policing training following an internal investigation into the February 1 incident, which gained traction online after video footage was posted to the “LackLuster” YouTube channel. The footage showed Mandujano initiating

Read More »

Salem Elementary Teacher Arrested After Alleged THC-Fueled Disturbance at Home

Kenosha, Wis. — A preschool teacher at Salem Elementary School was arrested late Saturday night after authorities say she ingested THC edibles and began behaving violently inside her Salem Lakes home. Melissa E. Briggs, 42, was taken into custody by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department just after 11 p.m. Deputies responded to the 10000 block of 256th Avenue after her husband called 911, reporting that Briggs was experiencing a mental health crisis and pounding on a

Read More »

Body Cam Footage Contradicts Pastor’s Claim of Cooperation in Youth Minister Sex Crime Case

Kenosha, Wis. – Despite publicly claiming that Journey Church was cooperating with police, newly released body-worn camera footage obtained by Kenosha County Eye reveals that lead pastor Kevin Taylor declined to give a statement to investigators following the arrest of a fellow pastor now charged with 15 felonies involving intimate images of two women. Gabriel Mills, a former “Guest Experience Pastor” at Journey Church in Kenosha, was first arrested on September 30, 2024. According to a

Read More »

Dominick Black Violates Probation, Faces Arrest Warrant If He Fails To Return To Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has notified a Kenosha County judge that Dominick Black, a probationer best known for his connection to the Kyle Rittenhouse case, violated the terms of his probation and is being ordered back to Wisconsin. In a letter sent yesterday to Judge Angelina Gabriele, Probation and Parole Agent Kimberly Ruhle reported that Black failed a drug test, was kicked out of substance use programming, and missed a mandatory probation

Read More »

Illinois Man Faces 46 New Charges, Possible Life In Prison After Multi-Agency Highway Pursuit

Kenosha, Wis. — An Illinois man already out on bond for multiple pending felony cases in Kenosha County was charged Thursday with 46 new counts in connection to a daytime police chase that spanned multiple jurisdictions and ended on the interstate. John S. Miller, 56, of Zion, now faces a staggering range of charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property, fleeing and eluding police, and 36 counts of felony bail jumping. Prosecutors say

Read More »

County Executive Kerkman Announces Call For Nominations For Inaugural Kenosha County Veteran Of The Year Award

County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County. The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award seeks to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service. This year’s award will be presented at Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, to be held May 30 at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Nominations for the inaugural award are being accepted until 5 p.m. April

Read More »
Categories
Archives
Authors

52 Responses

  1. She endorsed Angela Cunningham! Thats all I need to know. Thats a berg, and cardinali supporters and helped with her campaign. Shows character and enough for a sane person to vote bogdala over her in a heartbeat

    10
    2
  2. Not much to choose from both carry baggage. The new mayor is the same as the old mayor keep watching Kenosha unravel.

    14
    1
  3. Checkbook Lydia could not buy John? David will do well but he sold out his district recently to the Indians and most likely took the bioweapon mascarding as a vaccine, so like everything in life, his mayoral duties will be short-lived, died suddenly ain’t no joke. peace from my ranch in yaxcaba mexico

    6
    5
  4. God help Kenosha. Neither candidate is worth anything. Spotswood is a crazy liberal. Bogdala stopped supporting conservative ideals a long time ago. He will tell you he is neither a Republican nor a Democrat. Saying you’re a Republican behind closed doors for friends means nothing if you’re voting for liberal agendas.
    Buckle up Kenosha….

    25
    3
    1. Polarization doesn’t help the community. There’s a reason these elections are supposed to be nonpartisan. Political parties want to bring gridlock and bickering to the local level. Ugh! Neither candidate is awe inspiring or offers much of a vision for Kenosha.

      9
      1
      1. It’s unfortunate but politics has crept into everything. The left has gone so far off the rails. They have brought their crazy lack of morality into nonpartisan offices. It is incredibly impactful to our every day lives. We have to counterbalance that.

        8
        4
  5. Bogdola is a sell out. He sold out his vote for the stupid casino just to get this endorsement? This explains it and tells me all I need to know. Voting for neither is better than voting for four more years of Antaramian pulling the strings of Bogdala.

    12
    3
  6. Good bye John ” just let it burn” Antaramian.
    Bogdala is clearly a windsock, but I find him less irritating than Cruella Spottswood.

    10
    3
  7. Bogdala is just Antaramian’s clone. More corruption for a worse, more violent Kenosha. Bodala came to my house a few months ago and I startled him with several questions about our community–he was unwilling to answer any of them. He also promised to call me about another issue and never did. He is a coward. Spottswood is even worse. Our poor city suffers at the hands of corrupt politicians who care only about themselves and having power.

    13
    3
    1. This is a BS comment. He came to my door and me and my neighbor were outside. He sat there for over 20 minutes and answered all of our questions about our city. Very knowledgeable and definitely we both said we were going to vote for him and we are. We asked him if he was a Democrat or Republican he reminded us that it was a nonpartisan seat and he likes working with all people of all different opinions. He’ll learn that why he was an alderman. Please don’t lie.

      5
      12
  8. Bogdala’s wife did nothing but exercise a dictatorship over Brookside Nursing home residents, staff and visitors. I had to call the Ombudsman and file a complaint to see my father. She also pushed the experimental, deadly C-19 jab on everyone- even pressuring family members. My father finally stopped taking boosters realizing that he could say no! They want you to check in and out like a prison. I hope she took multiple doses and reaps what she sowed. She is a deep state puppet and I have no hope for this city with these choices. Bogdala is the lesser of 2 evils, but not by much.

    14
    4
    1. Wow the people like twist and the Truth. My mother was at brookside they’re that whole time. Ms. Bogdala was very kind and compassionate whenever I had to talk to her about anything. Working in healthcare there’s certain mandates that are required to keep a facility opened. Just like a hospital has mandates.
      I hope people have come some common sense

      6
      7
      1. This is the truth. Forcing everyone into a temp check and entering there cell number was not necessary and still is not. She has power to take CMS guidelines as guidelines. She pushes the C-19 jab every chance she gets. She is not a republican, she is not for reasonable reactions to health authorities and she is not a friend to freedom no matter how nice she states things. Actions speak volumes and she is a puppet.

        7
        4
      2. Mandates.. BS forcing healthcare workers to take the jab is wrong. You can’t pick and choose “My body, my choice “ when it’s convenient.

  9. I looked at your crime chart and I noticed that you don’t have the deaths in Kenosha years 2022and 2023. I’m retired law enforcement.
    That rate is mostly way down probably four a year. That Spike and death was mostly due to drugs and people that know each other. It’s always been the case and Kenosha would murders. Back in the day I know the averaged about 5 murders a year in Kenosha county. Over 90% rate to solve them.

    4
    1
  10. Correction: Spottswood is not a lifelong Democrat. She switched parties in the mid-90’s to suit her political career when she saw a chance at the House with Clinton.

    6
    1
    1. Wow, that would be a story! Do we have any evidence to prove she was a republican? I spott wood is a terrible person.

  11. I’m not voting for either mayoral candidate. It is very unfortunate that our only options are Bogdala or Spottswood. Kenosha is doomed.

    8
    1
  12. Neither candidates are very good options but I had an encounter with Spottswood some time ago and she is an absolute nut!

    3
    2
  13. An endorsement that could backfire. Many, like myself are still disillusioned with Antaramian and the lack of effort during the riots. He, and others let Kenosha burn. Of the candidates, Bogdala, perhaps the least of the “evils”? So sad Kenosha can not put forth really good candidates for key leadership roles. Those commenting on his wife as leader of Brookside, that is worthy of it’s own story and much of it existed before she took over the helm.

    1
    1
  14. Your comment is ridiculously contradictory. A vote for Bogdala is a vote for Antimarian, in your opinion. I can respect that.

    Then you say you are not voting for either candidate because of Bogdala’s relationship with Antimarian. Wouldn’t the logical adult decision be to vote for Spotswood?

    1
    1
  15. Can you share the Vos recall petition on your page?
    I would like to see who signed it and the extent of their cheating.

    1
    1
  16. I remember when her and her rich husband in their 2nd Avenue Mansion wanted the taxpayers to foot her babysitting when she was an Alderman. Imagine what she would do with your money now.

    1. And have you seen her latest campaign postcard? It says when extremist politicians try to steal Kenosha women’s reproductive freedom and healthcare, I’ll fight them every step of the way. “YOU CAN COUNT ON IT.”
      That’s some funny s***, from a local mayor’s office, she’s going to overturn a Supreme Court decision and change state law? It’s a really stupid statement, but I’ll give her credit for knowing that really stupid people might believe it and those are the people who are most likely to vote for her, anyway. Her fighting for abortion rights reminds me of when she was fighting against the “boner invasion” in Kenosha decades ago. Now she’s mounting a turgid campaign. 🤡

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS
Categories
Archives
Authors

Subscribe to updates

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.