Alec Lefeber makes a run for Oshkosh Common Council

Updated on 1/26/26 @ 8:20 a.m. to correct number of candidates running

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)—At just 27 years old, Alec Lefeber is taking on a challenge that usually is tackled by someone much older; he’s running to serve on the Oshkosh Common Council. Lefeber is one of eight candidates competing for the three seats available on the Oshkosh Common Council.

“ I’m running because when I look around the city, I see a lot of people who are being forgotten, including people in my generation. That includes young people and working families who are doing everything right, doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Yet, it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to build a stable life here and to find connection and build roots in this community.”

Lefeber moved to Oshkosh about a year and a half ago, after making Colorado his home for three years. But he is no stranger to Oshkosh. He grew up in North Fond du Lac, went to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and lived here during those four years and for about a year after graduation.

He said housing is becoming less affordable, entertainment options are limited, and the City of Oshkosh isn’t keeping up with the new generations.

“ It’s just kind of a feeling that people – especially people my age, but people of all ages here in Oshkosh – that people are being left behind and forgotten about. And so I want to be someone who represents the next generation and also the people who may feel forgotten or separated in this community,” he said.

Lefeber said that is why he is campaigning as a young person, as someone who sees that Oshkosh could be more.

“That’s just a kind of hopelessness. You might even say apathy. You might even say dread. It feels like it’s impossible to build a life here. It feels like housing is out of reach,” said Lefeber. “And it feels like childcare costs. So when I say youth opportunity, it’s supporting the development of the next generation.” 

He said he’d like to see more spaces in Oshkosh for people to come together, more activities for families, more events that celebrate Oshkosh’s community and culture, and more activities that aren’t centered around alcohol.

Alec Lefeber’s Campaign

Oshkosh Issues

While others are calling out housing availability and property taxes as issues within the Oshkosh city government, Lefeber is focused on optics and communication.

“ I think that right now we’re seeing a disparity between what’s happening in the city and how that is communicated. And I think that it feels like the communication in the city is a decade behind,” he lamented.

Lefeber mentioned Oshkosh’s primary form of communication with the community is through social media, specifically Facebook. However, he noted, Facebook is not the preferred social media platform for many Gen Z citizens. That is Reddit and TikTok.

“It’s one thing just putting the information out there. It’s another to present it to the people where they are, in a style or a fashion that is engaging and communicates the information clearly,” Lefeber explained. “To give a specific example, the city will put out a 200-page budget report and, to give them credit, they’ll also put out a 50-page slide deck that accompanies it and explains it. But I think that we can do better than 200-page reports and 50-page accompanying explainers.”

Housing 

Lefeber called out housing affordability as a strong issue facing Oshkoshians. He acknowledged that housing affordability is a national problem, but he said there are local solutions.

“ Affordability touches everything. And the housing market here in Oshkosh is not great – but that’s a national problem. You know, you can say that about anything,” Lefeber said. “I think that there are proactive ways that we could be addressing that, including making it easier to build and especially build like townhomes and duplexes in the city.”

Lefeber said it is difficult to develop anything in Oshkosh, so he believes easing regulations will make it easier and more appealing for developers to build in the city. He also suggested more mixed-use development that includes retail, commercial, and residential uses.

He added that affordability is a problem facing all Oshkoshians.

“That’s affordability in all areas of life. That’s housing, that’s groceries, car payment. And just the cost of going out.” Lefeber said. “It’s like affordability is in every factor of life. And, you know, that’s not all. A lot of those are nationwide trends that came from the national decisions or statewide decisions. Not a lot of that is stuff that the council can address. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s real. And that’s what the people are dealing with.”

Lefeber said when we talk about affordability, most people think of housing prices and property taxes and the price of groceries, but he added that for the younger generation and for many, rent prices are a key component.

“The reality for about half of residents here in Oshkosh, they’re not dealing with a mortgage. They’re not dealing with property taxes, but they are dealing with rent, and that part of the conversation, I don’t think, comes up as often,” he said.

Property Taxes

Lefeber said he knows that increases in property taxes have been an issue in the past couple of years in Oshkosh, but he is encouraged by the current direction of city leadership. He noted that this year, property taxes went down marginally.

 I think that the city should continue its efforts to make the government more efficient and streamline where it makes sense. But I don’t think that we should be looking into doing any more budget cuts at this time. I think that the, that the budget is in a good spot,” he said. “I would propose, if I were on the council, I would continue to work to keep it flat. I think it would be detrimental to Oshkosh to bring down our quality of services in order to, again, marginally reduce property taxes.”

Lagniappe: a little something extra

To know a little bit more about Alec Lefeber is to see that he loves his dogs, two pugs named Ollie and Gus. 

“ I’m actually out all the time walking the dogs. If you ever see me on the street walking the dogs, feel free to stop. And everybody loves the dogs because they’re adorable!” Lefeber said. “I spend a lot of time with my dogs, and walking the dogs, and playing with them. I love animals, and I love going out in the community and seeing the different pets that people have.”

Engaging with the campaign

To engage with Lefeber’s campaign, Oshkosh residents can visit alecforoshkosh.com. He has profiles on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and Threads. His email address is [email protected], and his phone number is 920-312-7887.

“Residents can engage with my campaign, widely and everywhere,” said Lefeber. “That’s what I want to get across.”

Oshkosh Common Council Race

Nine people are running for the three Common Council seats being decided this spring. In addition to Lefeber, Jacob Amos, Paul Esslinger, Meredith Scheuermann, Tim Neubauer, Eric Gumz, Logan Jungbacker, and Dan Lenz have all turned in papers to run. Amos was appointed to fill the remainder of Kris Larson’s term in November. He is running for his first full term.

Incumbents D.J. Nichols and Jacob Floam have decided not to seek reelection.

The primary will be held on February 17th, during which the field of candidates will be reduced to six. The spring election is April 7, 2026.