(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
People keep asking me the same thing – “What happened to the county board?” So many people, in fact, that I chose to write my opinion on what happened. Many share the blame – the local party, voters, but the lion’s share of the blame goes to one man – Gabe Nudo, the former Chairman of the board. Gabe was my friend for some 12 years. He became Chairman and thought he was my superior, like I had to ask permission to write about a certain subject. I was very confused. He then developed wild conspiracy theories about me joining forces with the county exec (who I’ve praised and criticized over the last two years) and other board members to “f— him.”
It’s disappointing when elected officials start off with promise but then become consumed by personal ambitions or vendettas. Former County Board Chairman Gabe Nudo lost sight of his original intentions and became more focused on his own power and unfounded threats against his chairmanship. Nudo’s tenure took a negative turn, impacting the potential for positive conservative reform in Kenosha County. Several County Board Members claimed Nudo was acting like a dictator and allowed the newly-found power to go to his head in a big way.
Nudo didn’t follow through on his promises and mislead his county board colleagues and constituents. Nudo initially rallied support by promising conservative reforms such as eliminating the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) position and the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission, but then failed to take action on those issues. The DEI position was created by Kreuser’s chief of staff and ultra-liberal activist Jennie Tunkieicz (former Kenosha News pundit). That position was created to appease the Left and for optics for Kreuser. The same for the Racial and Ethnic Equity Commission. It was created to pay lip service, but it was clear that Kreuser never planned on supporting the REEC – this lack of support was proven by how the REEC got nothing accomplished and was offered virtually no support under Kreuser’s administration. Nudo actively worked against passing conservative reforms by convincing some supervisors, like Brian Bashaw and Zach Stock, to vote against them. Then he told the other supervisors supporting these reforms the votes weren’t there to pass them. Stock and Bashaw were recently defeated by very wide margins earlier this month.
He even appointed former Supervisor Andy “Sergeant Hard” Berg to the REEC to plunge the commission into turmoil and controversy.
It eroded trust and his credibility among most of the other conservative county board members.
There was a concerning pattern emerging with Nudo’s actions as a county board chairman. He made promises before he was elected chairman, and once he became chairman he went back on his word. He actively opposed efforts to fix unconstitutional gerrymandered maps, even though he had no problem engaging in a lawsuit regarding those same maps.
Nudo’s behavior became increasingly authoritarian, using his position to exert control over the county board and silence dissenting voices. When fellow supervisors resisted his influence or refused to comply with his demands, he retaliated by removing them from committee chairmanships and replacing them with individuals who would do his bidding.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Nudo’s actions extended to appointing individuals like Brian Bashaw, who championed Kenosha’s “Green New Deal” and Bashaw’s son-in-law Zach Stock to committee chairmanships on the county board. These appointments were made primarily to serve Nudo’s interests rather than the interests of the conservatives that helped him get elected.
It’s evident that the shift in Nudo’s priorities and actions had a significant impact on the perception of conservative leadership within Kenosha County. The initial excitement and hope for conservative reforms gave way to frustration and disillusionment as Nudo’s focus shifted towards personal power and appeasing opposing political pressures. The lack of tangible conservative reforms during the latter part of Nudo’s chairmanship likely contributed to a decline in voter turnout for conservative county board candidates in the April 2024 elections.
Elections often serve as a mechanism for voters to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the performance of their elected officials. The overwhelming defeat of Brian Bashaw and Zach Stock could be interpreted as a clear message from constituents that they were no longer willing to support candidates associated with Nudo’s leadership style and lack of progress on conservative reforms.
It’s certainly disheartening when personal ambitions and power dynamics take precedence over the greater good and the interests of the community. In this case, Nudo’s actions not only contributed to the election of a liberal county board chair and vice-chair but also prevented the possibility of conservative control over the board.
Nudo refused to support the conservatives running for those positions. If Nudo had supported the conservative that were planning on running for chair and vice-chair the conservatives would have won those seats and the county board would have been in conservative control for 2 more years.
But Gabe’s obsession with power and delusions of being chair for a second term outweighed his need for a conservative chair and vice chair.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Monica Yuhas, the newly elected chairman, who seemingly admitted to committing an election-related fraud, hasn’t released the new county board committee assignments. Watch to see what committee Nudo is appointed to chair as a bribe to vote for Yuhas. Insiders believe Nudo will be appointed chair of the useless Legislative Committee. Will that be Nudo’s “thirty pieces of silver”?
40 Responses
Is it time for those west of I94 to become a new county?
So sad that keno city has become a hole. I can’t think of one benefit can you?
I agree. I was born and raised here, but now this city is a pit. It’s embarrassing to have anyone from out of state visit – even from Illinois. Many are curious to see the city due to the notoriety of what the ultra leftist rioters did. I fear that was only the beginning. I can’t tell you one good thing Gabe did for our city as Chairman, but having the power absolutely did nothing for him but lose all credibility – even loss of good friends. I highly doubt Monica will be any better. Sad that good conservatives can’t win elections in Kenosha – especially when the alternative is so devastatingly horrible for the city. Thanks a lot for nothing Gabe.
The problem is that the county board is supposed to be nonpartisan. Counties in Wisconsin are largely conduits to administer certain governmental functions. The county board is not a legislative agency to the same extent as the state legislature or even a city council or village board. There is not much policy to be made. These positions should be about good neighbors doing their best to represent everyone in the county and protect the taxpayer. Frankly, I am concerned a lot about wasteful spending in the county — saw it for decades in county government and it continues. The county also has a habit of outsourcing a lot of work with no quality control.
The county board is not “non-partisan.” The County board election is non-partisan
Hence no intent that it be partisan.
The impetus for non-partisan elections at the local level in Wisconsin originated with a fear among Milwaukee Republicans and Democrats that their Socialist competitors might become a sustained political alternative following the election of Emil Seidel in the 1910 mayoral election. Two years later, during the next campaign for mayor, Republicans and Democrats united behind a single candidate who won. To blunt future threats from Milwaukee’s Social Democratic Party, mainstream legislators in Madison quickly passed a bill in the spring of 1912 to make most local offices across Wisconsin non-partisan, stripping away party identification from the ballot. A handful of county-based positions, including clerk, sheriff, and district attorney, remain partisan positions.
Imagine that assclown Andy Berg only lost by one vote. He should have only had one vote. Pure ignorance permeates Kenosha county.
Yes. The low-informed (aka readers of the Kenosha News) liberal voters are a stain on this county. The only thing wrong with Kenosha County is the City of Kenosha voting block, otherwise it is a wonderful county.
100% on target. Nudo got drunk with “power” and is the worst thing that happened to the county board in a long time.
Nudo voting for Yuhas was the Judas move for conservatives, next election get rid of him.
How does a liberal register a deed any different than a conservative? Or how does a conservative plow snow any differently?
As the county board is largely an agent for state programs and laws we should be focusing more on who we elect to the legislature and governor.
If you don’t know the difference between liberals and conservatives, then you should read more history
Remember, when you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you, Kevin.
What the fuck does that mean ?
It means he doesn’t want your opinion.
Is that you Sarge?
The boy scout salute?
Remember, when you don’t have anything to say, it’s Facebook so you should do it anyway just for the sake of looking stupid.
We no longer have republicans and democrats. We have marxists and marxist sympathizers. America is lost. The Marxists have infiltrated our local government, our schools, our state government and of course the federal government. We will live thru the same horror show that every other country that toyed with marxism has. And they will continue to tell you that everything is awesome. Because commies gonna commie. They think they are your betters.
The right isn’t really the right anymore. They were the party of morals and good, solid judgement. Gone are those days. It’s time to stop supporting “republicans” and look to the grassroots conservative candidates to pull us out of this mess. These party-selected candidates are nothing but RINOS.
And then we have CINOS — conservatives in name only who are in it for personal or ideological gain as opposed to true conservatism. These radicals have destroyed the GOP just as the wackos have tainted the Dems.
The RINOS, like Vos, August, Nedweski, Bashaw, and—Nudo, have destroyed the GOP. Nedweski is one term in, and seems to be spending most of her time under Vos’ desk. Can’t even lump Kerkman in with the RINOs, because she’s just a disorganized disaster with no real direction. That’s the true tragedy with this county board switchover— at least with a quasi-conservative majority, positive things were happening. Now, who knows.
Kenosha GOP is standing behind Nedweski instead of finding someone new to run. Guess they’ve surrendered any hope of being taken seriously as True Conservatives.
That was fast.
It was very disappointing that she couldn’t make it to the board meeting to vote on moving inappropriate books into their own section in the libraries. This is what she stood for in M4L. I guess it wasn’t politically a good move to be there to support her fellow board member who stuck his neck out on this…
She’s been an all around disappointment. She definitely seems to be a person who wants the clout but doesn’t have the brains or guts to actually accomplish something on her own. She pushes that she got Kenosha a few more DA’s in the state budget, but all she did with that, was add to Gravely’s corruption.
She also turned around and backstabbed the pro-life organizations who donated to & supported her, by supporting AB 975 when they were urging her not to.
Nedweski is a hellfire conservative forest fire tornado, kickin’ ass and taking names. And all y’all wanna do is take her down. Why? Who’s the real RINO here? Pathetic that every time a strong female republican like Kerkman or Nedweski is successful, y’all default to idiotic comments about Vos. What a sad old story. Like Nudo and Bashaw, you obviously hate REAL women, so maybe you’re just a trans lib plant. Or maybe you’re Jodi Muerhoff. As if a woman can’t accomplish anything on her own… PUH-LEASE. GFY – you’re the problem. Step up and run or shut your whiny pie-hole.
The evidence speaks to the contrary, for both Kerkman & Nedweski. Their actions do not speak to your comments of “hellfire conservative,” “tornado.”
Casino deal? Not only that— but a mostly backroom, in bed with the dem mayor, casino deal?
Giving Gravely more corrupt DAs?
Focusing on child support rather than working on building strong families and giving tax benefits to families that would incentivize families staying together- which ACTUALLY would benefit children?
AB 975, which the GOP is trying to gaslight us into believing is pro-life, meanwhile pro-life orgs throughout the state are all saying is a bad deal for the pro-life movement?
And then the following bill, giving funding to a company from which several political talking heads financially benefit— which funds stem cell & (aborted) fetal research?
Where was she for the library vote? That would have benefitted children in her district!
Many pictures available where’s she’s buddying up to the proven-racist Bristol Village Board members.
Yikes. Doesn’t sound very conservative, and DEFINITELY doesn’t sound like who she promised to be…
Nedweski has some wins, but her “bass” far outweigh the good. You say that there’s a default to idiotic comments about Vos, however Nedweski gives the impression that she works closely with Vos— and they’re frequently listed on the same ABs. So, there’s likely a bit of merit to the “idiotic comments about Vos.” She’s probably your friend, like she’s friends with the M4L ladies & the Kenosha GOP ladies. But— don’t let your friendship cloud your views of her from a political standpoint. She may be a great person & a great friend- but she’s a bummer from a political standpoint, and we need conservatives who will stand AGAINST the RINOs, not NEXT TO- WITH them.
Nedweski’s actions are overwhelmingly disappointing. The GOP not seeing that is very telling.
“bads” not bass.
Dear West-End:
Using buzzwords and claiming that I “hate women” is a typical dem move. Do you have any facts to show how many incredible, positive things that Nedweski has ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED for the conservatives in WI?
Looks like facebook superfan and disbarred bankruptcy lawyer Sue Grace Krokocz and maybe Adrianne Melby and their deranged ilk have joined the KCE. The Democrat Party pays them a lot of money to be lazy keyboard warriors trolling hardworking people who actually get things done. They also pay her group to run crazy recall campaigns that distract and divide the party in order to give Dems the advantage. No secret there. When the legislature loses the majority and we lose ACT 10, concealed carry, voter ID, school choice, right to work, etc… you can blame Melby and her “conservative” friends. It will be because of them that abortion will be completely UN-restricted in WI, though Nedweski tried to help it be more restricted.
Nedweski has more brains and guts in her pinky finger than all of these morons combined, and she sure as hell doesn’t need Vos. Anyone who knows her knows that the job pays peanuts, and she could be making a ton more in the private sector while minding her own business and enjoying privacy. She does it because she cares and got fed up with the government, and she’s obviously doing something right to earn the time and effort of the haters. It’s people like Melby and the trolls here that make great republican candidates not want to run for office. There is no incentive for good people to serve when all they can expect from their own side is constant complaining and trashing, no matter what they do. That’s how you got Evers again, and that’s how you got Janet.
Anyone with a fully-functioning brain can see that the pro-life groups are nothing but evil swamp scum lobbyists who DON’T WANT there to be ANY progress on the abortion issue. They would lose money, duh. None of those groups donated to Nedweski, but she would not be beholden to them if they did.
Nedweski encouraged the corrupt county health director to leave and stood up to Nudo and Bashaw’s power grabs, even when they retaliated against her. The casino? That’s up to the feds and the governor, not Kerkman and Nedweski. Don’t like it? Appeal to them. Quit lying about backdoor deals. The competing tribes do enough of that already. Kerkman’s deal protects the taxpayers, and she gets nothing out of it. The library resolution would have done NOTHING for children in the district seeing as how the county board cannot MAKE LAWS that govern the library. Perhaps Nedweski was in Madison ACTUALLY making laws that day instead of making a symbolic vote on a resolution that was no more than a polite suggestion. In fact, I know she was because I bothered to ASK her instead of ranting on the KCE.
She led on literacy legislation, the parents bill of rights, and several more education bills, like she said she would. More DAs for Kenosha is a good thing, and it has nothing to do with Gravely, he’s on his way out anyway. It’s about making sure victims can get justice without waiting for years and years. Those positions were specifically for gun crimes and sex crimes. I think a pretty good thing to have these positions for Kenosha.
If you don’t think making sure families get their child support payments is HELPING FAMILIES, than you’re completely out of touch with reality. Families depend on this money to survive. You can’t legislate that families stay together… but establishing paternity and collecting child support is critical in helping children when things don’t work out. And she was part of the bill package that was all about keeping families together, especially her bill to fund pregnancy resource centers. Love that you spew lies on here without any intention of bringing facts.
I’ve gotten to know her personally in the past 2 years and follow her work. Nedweski one of the hardest working and most selfless people I’ve ever met. Because she’s not a career politician, she doesn’t owe anybody anything so she can actually get things done. She has gone so far above and beyond for constituents in ways you’ll never know because she doesn’t toot her own horn for helping people. Could say the same for Kerkman, really. We don’t agree on everything, but I’d rather have someone who agrees with me 80% of the time than 0%. I just can’t believe how many so-called republicans out there are so quick to criticize smart, conservative women. Who would you have run in her place? In Kerkman’s place? Are you offering someone better?
The Kenosha GOP is a joke. Bunch of RINO nerds running that organization. 2 thumbs down. If I wasn’t working 2 jobs while also trying to raise a family in this effed up culture and economy, I’d be more involved in our local gop. One of these days.
Wow you fools love to throw around the RINO label. All excuses. The Local GOP is all volunteers who bust their asses so you can sit at home with your kids- while those few working hard for this county miss time with their kids. Kenosha moved further red this election thanks to those “RINO nerds”. Look at the numbers compared to 2020- increased margins almost 100% across the board and maintained the conservative seat on the KUSD board even up against over $136000 given to the dem candidates.
You guys are clueless how things work, what it takes, how much work is being done by volunteers while you sit home.
Nedweski is grassroots. Have you reached out with your questions? She’s very damn transparent and smart as a whip!
It’s people like this who are handing elections to liberals. Wtf is wrong with you people?
I love the way there are two people named there, Sue something and Adrian something, like those are the only two people who don’t think Nedweski belongs in office- meanwhile, there are so many anti-Nedweski comments throughout this site, and like four comments in support of her 😂
Ok, here’s another comment in support of Nedweski- 100%. She has far exceeded my expectations in her first term and I hope she gets reelected this fall. Those that are so quick to criticize obviously don’t understand the abortion bill. If the bill passed, we all would have voted on lowering the gestational age from 20 weeks (current) to 14, which would save more lives. It actually had a chance at passing. A bill banning all abortions in WI would never pass. if you ever have a question about a piece of legislation, just ask her. In my experience, she’s always willing to explain things and why she voted the way she did.
Amen
What’s it like to have expectations so low that Nedweski exceeded them? You probably have a KUSD kid who “exceeds expectations” 🤮
All in it for themselves
Nudo copied the Template of Comrade Curt’s All-Power Strategy as an elected Public Servant’s role in serving his people.
Forget you work for them.
Lead as a Dictator.
Talk to and treat constituents like they’re Dogs.
Take care of your inner circle of friends.
Quietly punish those who object to your iron dictatorial fist.
I firmly believe the whole election would have gone differently if Decker would have been in Nudo’s chair.
Everything ran better during the months she was filling in. She’s got a better handle on things. She’s a more composed individual, and she seems to do a better job of reading people and working to the strengths of the various board members.
It should have been Decker this time around, too. 10/10 she would have beat Yuhas.