Max Ujdak (Waunakee Village Trustee, Wisconsin, candidate 2025)
From Ballotpedia
 |
State executive offices • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Recalls • All local elections by county • How to run for office |
 |
Max Ujdak ran for election to the Waunakee Village Trustee in Wisconsin. He was on the ballot in the general election on April 1, 2025.
Ujdak completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Max Ujdak provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on March 27, 2025:
- Birth date: December 21, 1995
- Birth place: South Bend, Indiana
- High school: St. Joseph High School (South Bend, IN)
- Bachelor's: University of Notre Dame, 2018
- Other: Madison Area Technical College, 2023
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Profession: Project Manager
- Prior offices held:
- Waunakee Public Works Committee Member (2023-Prsnt)
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Transparency, Integrity, and Service: Building a Stronger Waunakee Together.
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
General election for Waunakee Village Trustee (3 seats)
Jack Heinemann, Sam Kaufmann, Dustin Mueller, Max Ujdak, and Chris J. Zellner ran in the general election for Waunakee Village Trustee on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Jack Heinemann (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Sam Kaufmann (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Dustin Mueller (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Max Ujdak (Nonpartisan)  | |
| Chris J. Zellner (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ujdak in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Max Ujdak completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ujdak's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Hello, I’m Max Ujdak (pronounced “YOU-Dack”) and I’m running for the Waunakee Village Board because I believe in this community and want to see it thrive for generations to come. I’m originally from South Bend, Indiana, but when I followed my wife Katie to Wisconsin, I knew Waunakee would be home.
Since moving here in 2021, I’ve jumped in with both feet. I’m a volunteer firefighter with the Waunakee Fire Department, a proud member of the Waunakee Rotary Club, and a project manager at Endres Manufacturing, where I oversee large construction projects across the state. Before this, I worked in South Bend’s Department of Innovation and Technology, where I helped create their Open Data Portal—a tool still used today to bring transparency to local government.
Waunakee has an incredible potential, and I’m ready to put my experience in both community service and business to work for you. Whether it's improving downtown, advocating for safer streets, or navigating the challenges of our fire department, I’m committed to making decisions based on data and putting the people of Waunakee first. Let’s build a future that’s transparent, inclusive, and strong for everyone.- Smart Infrastructure for a Thriving Waunakee: Waunakee is growing, and we need infrastructure that matches that growth. I’m committed to making downtown a destination, not just a thoroughfare, with smart, pedestrian-friendly streets that support local businesses while improving safety. We’ll prioritize investments that keep Waunakee accessible, vibrant, and ready for the future
- Transparent Governance for Accountability: I believe that government works best when it’s open and accountable. That’s why I’m committed to bringing the same transparency to Waunakee that I helped implement in South Bend. With an Open Data Portal, we can give residents easy access to budgets, infrastructure projects, and more—so you can see exactly how your tax dollars are being spent.
- A Fire Department That Works for Everyone: The decision to withdraw from the Waunakee Area Fire District was rushed and done without a solid plan. We need to slow down, bring in an independent audit, and have a clear plan in place before moving forward. I will fight for a fair, accountable process to ensure our fire department transition is done responsibly and keeps Waunakee safe without burdening taxpayers.
I’m passionate about three key areas of public policy. First, I want to ensure Waunakee grows in a way that keeps our community accessible and vibrant, whether that’s by improving downtown or investing in roads and utilities. Second, I believe in government transparency. Local government should be open and accountable, so I’ll work to bring tools like an Open Data Portal to Waunakee, allowing residents to easily see how their tax dollars are being spent. Finally, as a firefighter, I care deeply about public safety and will work to make sure our fire department has the resources it needs while prioritizing safety across the community.
The position of Village Trustee is unique because it’s truly a “boots on the ground” role. Unlike higher levels of government, where decisions can feel far removed from everyday life, trustees are directly involved in the issues that shape our community—things like local infrastructure, public safety, and budgeting. Through my experience with the Waunakee Fire Department, I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is to make decisions that affect people’s daily lives. Whether it’s responding to emergencies or planning for the future, this job requires being deeply in tune with the needs of residents. The Village Board plays a key role in keeping Waunakee running smoothly, and that hands-on involvement makes this office a vital and important part of our local government and legal system.
I look up to my grandpa, Gerald J. Ujdak, for many reasons, and his example has had a lasting impact on me. His life was marked by dedication to his family, his community, and his work. He was deeply committed to teaching, having spent 38 years in the classroom, shaping generations of students. He wasn’t just a teacher in the classroom—he taught the value of self-sufficiency, a curious mind, and a lifelong love of learning. He was also involved in local politics, serving as a member of the first National Education Association negotiating team and on the St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Commission.
Beyond his career, my grandpa was someone who put family first. After retiring, he dedicated himself to being a full-time grandpa, supporting his grandchildren in their daily lives and extracurricular activities. His love for his family, his fighting spirit, and his ability to keep learning and growing throughout his life are qualities I strive to emulate. His legacy of service, love, and resilience continues to inspire me.
Beyond his career, my grandpa was someone who put family first. After retiring, he dedicated himself to being a full-time grandpa, supporting his grandchildren in their daily lives and extracurricular activities. His love for his family, his fighting spirit, and his ability to keep learning and growing throughout his life are qualities I strive to emulate. His legacy of service, love, and resilience continues to inspire me.
Shortest Way Home by Pete Buttigieg
The most important characteristic for an elected official is integrity, doing what’s right, even when no one’s looking. It’s about making decisions based on what’s best for the community, not personal gain or political pressure. Integrity means being honest, transparent, and accountable, whether the spotlight is on you or not. It’s about building trust with residents, knowing that you will always act with their best interests in mind. When integrity guides your actions, you create a government that truly serves the people, even in the toughest moments.
In the fire service, accountability, teamwork, and integrity aren’t just important—they’re a matter of life and death. Every day, we rely on each other to do our jobs with precision and care. Accountability means knowing your role, executing it to the best of your ability, and being responsible for your actions, because a mistake can have serious consequences. Teamwork is essential in emergency situations; every decision we make has to be coordinated, and we depend on each other to ensure that everyone goes home safe. Integrity is the foundation of everything we do—our community trusts us to act in their best interests, and we must always be honest, transparent, and focused on what's right. When you’re in a high-pressure, high-risk environment like the fire service, these qualities are not optional—they’re the difference between life and death. It’s a mindset I carry into every role I take on, because the stakes are always high.
As a trustee, it’s my job to make sure the basic services that keep Waunakee running smoothly are taken care of. That means making sure the trash gets picked up on time, the roads get paved, and that our public works department has what it needs to maintain our infrastructure. But it’s not just about the day-to-day operations—it’s also about ensuring the village has a balanced budget. We need to make sure our resources are used wisely so that we can keep providing these services without overburdening taxpayers. It’s about keeping the village running efficiently while planning for the future.
I’d like to leave a legacy of service, integrity, and community. Whether through my work in the fire department, my involvement in local organizations, or as a Village Trustee, I want to be remembered for always putting the needs of Waunakee first. I hope people remember me as someone who worked hard to make our community stronger, more connected, and more transparent. I’d also like to leave behind a legacy of making smart, data-driven decisions that helped build a more efficient and sustainable village for future generations. Ultimately, I want my legacy to reflect the values I hold dear: honesty, hard work, and a commitment to doing what's right, even when it’s not easy.
I vividly remember 9/11. I was in kindergarten, and I actually saw the second plane hit the south tower from the playhouse window in my classroom. My teacher immediately turned off the TV. Kids were randomly picked up throughout the day, and by the end, there were only six of us left in class.
My very first job was as a busboy at Sorin's at the Morris Inn at Notre Dame. I cleaned tables and ran room service for about eight months, until the hotel closed for renovations. After that, I worked at Five Guys for roughly three years, flipping burgers. Both jobs taught me the value of hard work, customer service, and getting things done efficiently, lessons I still carry with me today.
My favorite book is Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. It’s just an all-around fun read. The story is full of science, problem-solving, and unexpected twists, but it also has a lot of heart and humor. On a more serious note, I enjoy the work of Malcolm Gladwell.
I’d be a Pokémon trainer. I grew up playing Pokémon. Who wouldn’t want to travel the world, catch cool creatures, and become the best?
Dear Maria, Count Me In by All Time Low
Where the Wild Things Are by Luke Combs
Seasons & Narcissus by Bastille
28 by Zach Bryan
In Spite of Ourselves by John Prine
One of the biggest struggles in my life was when my father went to federal prison in 2003. It was an incredibly difficult time for our family, and it forced me to grow up quickly. I learned a lot about resilience, facing adversity head-on, and the importance of staying true to your values, no matter what. This experience shaped who I am today and reinforced my commitment to accountability and integrity in all aspects of life. It’s also a big reason why I’m so passionate about making sure our community leaders act with transparency and responsibility.
Additionally, trustees are tasked with holding municipal officials accountable. We’re not just here to blindly follow recommendations—we have a duty to question and challenge proposals to make sure they’re in the best interest of Waunakee residents. It’s about being proactive in making our village a better, more efficient place to live, and that starts with being willing to examine, update, and improve the systems in place.
No, absolutely not. While experience in government or politics can be helpful, it’s not necessary to be effective as a Village Trustee. In fact, I believe having a fresh perspective is often more valuable. What matters most is a commitment to serving the community, a willingness to listen, and a focus on making practical, data-driven decisions that benefit the residents. My experience in the Waunakee Fire Department, the Rotary Club, and as a project manager has given me a deep understanding of what our village needs. I don’t believe you need a career in politics to do the right thing for the people you serve—you just need integrity, accountability, and the drive to work hard for your community.
The most helpful skill for a Village Trustee to possess is a strong understanding of data and analytics. In today’s world, decisions should be driven by facts, not assumptions or political agendas. Whether it's analyzing budgets, reviewing infrastructure needs, or evaluating public safety data, being able to interpret and use data effectively ensures that the decisions we make are grounded in reality. It’s about being able to look at the numbers, ask the right questions, and make choices that are backed by evidence, not just the loudest voices in the room. Data-driven decision-making is key to making Waunakee a more efficient, transparent, and accountable community.
The role of a Village Trustee is unique because it’s where the rubber meets the road in local government. It’s not just about setting policy from a distance—it’s about being in the trenches, solving problems that directly impact people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s making sure our streets are safe, our budgets are balanced, or that our infrastructure is built for the future, this office is where real, tangible change happens. Trustees are the ones who ensure that the basics work smoothly, while also thinking long-term about how to make the community thrive. It’s a job that requires a blend of practical problem-solving and vision, making it an essential part of shaping the future of Waunakee.
How do you know someone went to Notre Dame?
They'll tell you.
They'll tell you.
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are absolutely essential for building trust between the government and the community. As a public official, it's my responsibility to ensure that taxpayers can easily understand how their dollars are being spent. This means having clear, accessible budgets and open reporting on spending, so residents can see exactly where their money is going. It’s about being honest and upfront, not just during election time, but every day. When government decisions are driven by data and made publicly available, it empowers citizens to hold us accountable and ensures we’re making the right choices for the community. That’s why I’m committed to bringing transparency to Waunakee, whether it’s through tools like an Open Data Portal or clear communication about our budget and spending priorities.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ [Email with Wisconsin Secretary of State Election office, "Candidate list," March 12, 2025]
