Rusty McConnell (Oconomowoc Common Council District 2, Wisconsin, candidate 2025)

Rusty McConnell

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Oconomowoc Common Council District 2

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 1, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Concordia University, 2011

Graduate

Concordia University, 2014

Personal

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Rusty McConnell ran for election to the Oconomowoc Common Council District 2 in Wisconsin. He was on the ballot in the general election on April 1, 2025.

McConnell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rusty McConnell provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on March 17, 2025:

• Birth date: November 17, 1988
• Graduate: Concordia University, 2014
• Bachelor's: Concordia University, 2011
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Business Owner
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Rooted in Community, Committed to a Bright Future
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook
• Campaign YouTube video

Elections

General election

General election for Oconomowoc Common Council District 2

Rusty McConnell and Andrew Moroni ran in the general election for Oconomowoc Common Council District 2 on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate
		Rusty McConnell (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Andrew Moroni (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McConnell in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rusty McConnell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McConnell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a husband, father of two amazing girls, and a small business owner in Oconomowoc. Though I grew up in Phoenix, AZ, my wife was raised right here in Oconomowoc, and together, we always knew this was where we wanted to build our family. This community is truly special, and I am grateful that my daughters get to grow up here. I am running for office to do my part in preserving everything that makes Oconomowoc such a wonderful place—not just for my girls, but for future generations as well.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I believe in Responsible Growth! Growth is not a bad thing - but we MUST make sure that growth in Oconomowoc reflects the values of the people living here. I will ensure the future of our city services, values, and finances are considered when evaluating new additions to our city. Short term needs and the desires of big developers cannot and will not dictate the long term prosperity of Oconomowoc.
• I believe one of the things that makes this country great is small local business. As a small business owner I know small business is hard. As Alderman I will absolutely focus on our incredible small business community here in Oconomowoc and make sure resources stay local. Our future should be driven by the entrepreneurs here in Oconomowoc!
• Oconomowoc is easily one of the best places to have a family and be a kid. We need to make it our greatest fight to keep it that way. We can do this by prioritizing public safety, focusing on school, and working with the community to keep the amazing events we have year around. I will be a champion for a family friendly future!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fiscal Responsibility - We must continuously evaluate how our tax dollars are spent. Raising taxes due to irresponsible spending is simply unacceptable. Our budget should prioritize what matters most—education, public safety, and essential services.

City Growth - New developments need to serve the needs of the citizens here. I also believe developers need to show long term investment in our city and show that their development will not increase the tax burden years into the future.

Public Safety - Oconomowoc is a safe place to live thanks to our amazing fist responders. Lets keep it that way!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe elected officials need to be a reflection of the people who elected them to office. They are not elected to execute a personal agenda but rather be the voice of their community. This means our they must be able to listen, be educated on the issues, and be able to articulate their thoughts. Above all our officials must be open minded and transparent!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent the people who elected them and keep them informed on the issues...simple as that.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

One of my favorite events was watching Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chase the home run record. I was around 9 at the time and begged my parents, unsuccessfully, to let me stay home from school to watch the games where the record could be broke.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked at a grocery store because it was close to my house and I didn't have a car. I worked there for 2 years in high school. It was actually a lot of fun.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Common Council plays a crucial role in shaping Oconomowoc’s future, overseeing both legislative decisions and fiscal management. The choices made by the Council have a direct impact on daily life and the long-term direction of our community. Though often overlooked, this position carries significant responsibility.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe our elected officials should have a solid understanding of how government operates and the issues at hand. However, the most effective government is one that includes a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. In contrast, it is least effective when experience is limited solely to government itself—leading to a system dominated by career politicians.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The genuine desire to represent the people.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Our government should have no problem explaining how dollars are spent. If we cannot easily and comfortable explain an expense then that expense should be evaluated.

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.

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