Politics & Government

John Macy Looks to Improve Republican Party of Waukesha County

New local GOP chairman talks with Patch about his role in the Republican Party of Waukesha County, the future of the Republican Party and his job as a municipal attorney.

The new leader of the Republican Party of Waukesha County is looking to move the local political party forward — building on the successes from his predecessor Don Taylor.

John Macy, a long-time political leader and municipal attorney based in Waukesha, recently was unanimously voted in as chairman of the Republican Party of Waukesha County. He follows Taylor, who led the Republican Party of Waukesha County for 30 years. Macy served on the Executive Committee for 22 years with 12 of those as first vice chair.

“He is a tough act to follow,” Macy said.

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The Republican Party of Waukesha County has seen success as it has increased the number of Republican voters in the area — as well as the number of Republican candidates voted into office. And it’s time to continue that growth, Macy said.

“We think after 30 years, we should do a top to bottom review of everything we do,” Macy said. “We think we do a great job. … But you can always improve.”

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The local Republican organization has put together two committees — for grassroots activities and financial aspects — to analyze the party.

Waukesha County is a predominantly Republican county, but Republicans across the country have come under criticism for a perception that the party is for white men – alienating minors and women. Macy would like to see that perception changed.

“Everybody should read what the principles are of the Republican Party,” Macy said. “We have to live our principles and we have to go out and spread the word on what our principles are. We believe that the Hispanic vote and the black vote is family orientated and all of the things that we stand for — lesser government, less taxes and family — should resonate in all of the minority communities. … I guess what we need to do is go out and talk about our principles.”

In addition to leading the Republican Party of Waukesha County, Macy, who was born in Menomonee Falls, is a leader throughout the area for various causes. He also is a municipal attorney for dozens of communities, including Muskego and Sussex.

While being active in the Republican Party for decades, Macy said he still separates himself in his non-partisan role as a municipal attorney.

“If you ask us how to vote, we can’t tell you how to vote” said Macy about his firm Arenz “We have survived a lot of major election shifts and political controversy in the communities just because we don’t pick sides. One of my goals in a meeting — especially when it is hot and contentious and tough and I have to give a lot of legal advice — I should leave that meeting and you should have no idea how I would have voted on that issue. That’s my goal. I stay out of the politics. I can be a political person — I’ve been a political person for over 30 years — but I am not a political person when it comes to my job.”


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