Former Democratic State Senate Leader Janet Bewley Endorses Joel Brennan for Wisconsin Governor

Ashland, WI -- Former Democratic State Senate Leader Janet Bewley today released the following letter announcing her enthusiastic endorsement of Joel Brennan for Wisconsin Governor.

Bewley, who served as leader until  2023, said she is endorsing Joel because we need a candidate "who is electable in the primary and general election and who will appeal to everyday Wisconsinites. Who will fight for our way of life, great healthcare and schools, and affordable cost of living for those of us who are not billionaires."

Bewley also wrote, "Joel knows how to run a state...But what I admire most about Joel, beyond his depth of experience, is that he is the kind of person who lives by a solid set of core values."

Read the full letter here:

Why I’m Endorsing Joel Brennan

As a former Wisconsin State Senator, I have not endorsed a candidate in a partisan primary. Until now.

In the current primary race for the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, with just a few weeks out from the August 11 primary election, I’m expecting lots of noise, confusion, and inconsistent hyperbole.  We may be shouted at in television and radio ads, and screams from our various devices and the nightly news.

Whenever this starts, I find myself thinking, if only campaigns could be simple and truthful. I found a candidate for governor who fits that bill, and I am excited to endorse: Joel Brennan.

Here’s what made up my mind.
I want a candidate who is electable in the primary and general election and who will appeal to everyday Wisconsinites. Who will fight for our way of life, great healthcare and schools, and affordable cost of living for those of us who are not billionaires. As Joel says, “Wisconsin families work too hard to have nothing left at the end of the month.”

There are many good Democratic candidates, but we must select the one who will do the best job as governor once elected, and then work like hell to get that person elected.

That’s why I endorse, and I will vote for, Joel Brennan.

Joel knows how to run a state. As Secretary of the Department of Administration under Gov. Tony Evers, his job included growing the Rainy Day fund and the state budget surplus. Joel has fiscal and policy experience from overseeing the creation of a $60 billion dollar biennial budget. He crafted programs and cooperative agreements as the top cabinet official, and he has private-sector experience running Discovery World museum for 11 years, guiding it through the 2008 financial crisis and even taking a pay cut himself to help guide it back to solid footing.

But what I admire most about Joel, beyond his depth of experience, is that he is the kind of person who lives by a solid set of core values.  

I drove the length of Wisconsin each time I reported for duty during my four terms in the Legislature, taking different routes to break up the routine, and along the way I learned much from all the people I met – Democrats, Republicans, Independents and “I don’t vote much” folks. Just like us, they don’t like to be shouted at. They don’t want flashy. They want a governor who’s competent, smart, and cares about important kitchen-table issues. Someone who will listen to them.

I think they’d like Joel Brennan.

Joel Brennan: Sara Rodriguez Fails to Take Responsibility or Answer Many Serious, Mounting Questions

“If Sara Rodriguez can’t answer questions about her campaign, what answers does she have for people who are hurting in Wisconsin?”

MILWAUKEE, WI — Democratic candidate for Governor Joel Brennan released the following statement following Sara Rodriguez’s press conference about her campaign: 

“Sara Rodriguez failed to answer many serious and mounting questions about her campaign's mismanagement and, more importantly, failed to take responsibility for what unfolded on her campaign. Wisconsinites deserve competence and transparency, as well as a strong Democrat who can win in November. Otherwise, we will lose to Tom Tiffany, risk Democratic majorities in the legislature and give up any shot at lowering costs, expanding health care and standing up to Trump. If Sara Rodriguez can’t answer basic questions about her campaign, what answers does she have for people who are hurting in Wisconsin?”

Earlier today, Brennan released a series of critical questions the Lieutenant Governor needed to answer, but she failed to fully address those at her press conference.

1. When were you first aware of the malfeasance and misreporting that appears to have taken place for months? Your January report was filed hours after the deadline, amended twice, and already showed duplicate donor listings. Did anyone flag these problems back then, and if so, why did it take six months to act? 

2. Who in your organization had a role in approving the use of campaign dollars that could be associated with this, and what checks and balances did you have in place? 

3. Your campaign publicly reported a $1 million media buy. Did your campaign not have the funds to pay for that at the time of the announcement? Do you now?

4. What do you say to supporters who you asked to invest in and help your campaign, asking them for resources that have now been squandered? Will you be able to refund donors who request their money back?

5. How is this not disqualifying?

Five Critical Questions Sara Rodriguez Needs To Answer After Reported Financial Mismanagement Within Her Campaign

MILWAUKEE, WI — In the wake of significant campaign mismanagement and inaccurate financial reports, Sara Rodriguez must answer the following questions and be transparent with Wisconsinites.  

1. When were you first aware of the malfeasance and misreporting that appears to have taken place for months? Your January report was filed hours after the deadline, amended twice, and already showed duplicate donor listings. Did anyone flag these problems back then, and if so, why did it take six months to act? 

2. Who in your organization had a role in approving the use of campaign dollars that could be associated with this, and what checks and balances did you have in place? 

3. Your campaign publicly reported a $1 million media buy. Did your campaign not have the funds to pay for that at the time of the announcement? Do you now?

4. What do you say to supporters who you asked to invest in and help your campaign, asking them for resources that have now been squandered? Will you be able to refund donors who ask for their money back?

5. How is this not disqualifying?

About Joel Brennan

Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Joel Brennan Releases His Own Self-Research File: Transparency will be a hallmark of my administration -- and my campaign

Milwaukee, WI — As opposition research dumps and political attacks become fixtures of the final weeks of the 2026 Democratic primary, Joel Brennan today released his own self-research file and offered it up for viewing on his website at www.brennanforwi.com/book. 

Like other candidates, Brennan paid a third party to conduct research into his personal and professional relationships and accomplishments, and the document released today contains the completed research project. The document runs 99 pages, with a nine-page executive summary at the front end.

Along with the release of his research, Joel Brennan released the following statement: 

"Wisconsin voters deserve to know what they're getting before they vote. Many candidates say, ‘Don’t just listen to what I say; look at what I have done.’ Well, every voter has a chance to review what I have done — the good and the bad -- before they cast their vote in the Democratic Primary in 5 weeks. The stakes of this election are too high to hand Tom Tiffany and the Republicans a weapon they can use against us all fall. My life has pretty much been an open book — and here are 99 pages of data that demonstrate it. I'm not afraid of the scrutiny - and every candidate in this race should be able to say the same.

“I doubt that others in this race - Democrats or Republicans — will be willing to release their own self-research. I might even be the only gubernatorial candidate in the country willing to take this step — but more should. And voters would be better off if we did. They wouldn’t get the ‘gotcha’ moments in the press or more ‘October surprises’ -- they would see us for who we really are.

“I may not make many headlines for my social media posts or my personal life. No viral moments, no daily drama. But that’s not a weakness, it's a strength. It means I can stay focused on the work, win in November, and actually deliver for Wisconsin families. Wisconsin doesn't need a reality show right now — it needs a governor who will show up, roll up their sleeves, and make people's lives better. That's who I am and who I have been throughout my career."

A few highlights of the research:

• Brennan once faced eviction from a Milwaukee apartment (he stopped paying rent due to substandard conditions and was unaware of his tenant rights, like so many other Wisconsin residents).

• Brennan has been praised by the likes of Republicans Scott Fitzgerald and Robin Vos (who also found opportunities to criticize Brennan as well); he also helped push to land the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

• Brennan has been criticized by the Milwaukee Teachers Union, though he has also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Milwaukee Public Schools.

• Brennan, along with Governor Tony Evers, stood up to extremists in the legislature and distributed hundreds of millions of COVID relief dollars to farmers, small businesses, and renters.

Governor Evers has said it himself: sometimes boring is a good thing. However, no one should ever mistake boring for timid. Here are five bold actions Joel Brennan will take as governor:

1. Set 3% mortgages for first-time home buyers — make homeownership achievable again for Wisconsin families who have been priced out of the market

2. Create portable retirement savings for every Wisconsin worker — create retirement accounts for private-sector workers who don't have access to a pension or 401(k), so nobody gets left behind

3. Provide real child care relief — fight immediately to restore funding for Wisconsin's child care providers so families can afford care and providers can keep their doors open, and then create a long-term solution that bolsters the workforce and gets kids the start they need

4. Fund the kid, not the zip code — scrap the broken school funding formula and create a system that stops pitting property taxpayers against Wisconsin kids and ensures every child gets a quality education no matter where they grow up

5. Safeguard Wisconsin's elections and stand up to Trump — defend our democracy, protect election workers, and make sure Wisconsin voters — not Washington politicians — decide the outcome of our elections

ICYMI: Joel Brennan launches statewide TV-ad buy

Yesterday, Joel Brennan became the first Democratic candidate for governor to launch a TV advertising campaign, going up with a six-figure statewide TV buy across broadcast, cable, and streaming that introduces him to voters across Wisconsin with help from two people who know him best: his kids. 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrat Joel Brennan's governor campaign launches statewide ad buy

KEY POINTS:

• With Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary just two months away, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan is the first Democratic candidate in the crowded field to make a statewide television advertising buy.

• Brennan's campaign on Tuesday announced a six-figure buy across broadcast, cable and streaming designed to introduce him to voters ahead of the Aug. 11 primary election.

• The ad features his children, Allison and Conor, and his wife, Audra, who tout his work ethic, his business experience and his work in Gov. Tony Evers' administration. Brennan himself doesn't say much in the 30-second spot, aside from responding to some ribbing about his "dad jokes" and his fashion sense.

• "My kids may be right about my dad jokes, and they also know I have spent my whole life showing up and getting things done for Wisconsin, and that is exactly what I’ll do as governor," Brennan said in a statement. "No one in this race is more ready to fight for Wisconsin families.  On costs, on rights, and on standing up to Donald Trump. I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and get the job done."

• Brennan is the first in the Democratic field to buy airtime ahead of the Aug. 11 primary election. In 2018, the last time a Wisconsin governor’s race did not feature an incumbent Democrat, the first ad from Democratic candidates aired in mid-July.

Read more here.

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WisPolitics: Gubernatorial candidate Joel Brennan today became the first Dem contender to go up on TV, releasing an ad that features his kids saying he “cleaned up Scott Walker’s mess.”

KEY POINTS:

• His campaign said it’s a six-figure buy across broadcast, cable and streaming services.

• The spot features Conor and Allison Brennan, who say their dad’s strengths include hard work, paying his way through college, 25 years in business and nonprofits, running Wisconsin’s largest science museum for kids, serving as Gov. Tony Evers’ top cabinet official and building a budget surplus.

• They say his weaknesses include his jokes and dance moves before his wife asks the kids if they’ve mentioned Joel’s clothes.

• A narrator concludes the spot, “Joel Brennan. Common sense. Experience. A governor for us.”

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Joel Brennan Launches Statewide TV Ad Introducing Himself to Wisconsin Voters…With Some Help From His Kids

Milwaukee, WI – Today, Joel Brennan became the first Democratic candidate for governor to launch a TV advertising campaign, going up with a six-figure statewide TV buy across broadcast, cable, and streaming that introduces him to voters across Wisconsin with help from two people who know him best: his kids.

The ad features Joel Brennan's children, Allison and Conor, alongside his wife, Audra, who walk through his work ethic, record of leading nonprofits and businesses, and serving as Governor Evers’ top cabinet official – and a few of his shortcomings – in a spot that reaches voters across Wisconsin.

"My kids may be right about my dad jokes, and they also know I have spent my whole life showing up and getting things done for Wisconsin, and that is exactly what I’ll do as governor,” said Joel Brennan. “No one in this race is more ready to fight for Wisconsin families.  On costs, on rights, and on standing up to Donald Trump. I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and get the job done."

The statewide buy makes Brennan the first Democratic candidate in the race to go on air, reflecting the campaign's growing momentum heading into the August 11 partisan primary.

TRANSCRIPT (WATCH THE AD HERE) 

Conor Brennan: Our dad, Joel Brennan, is running for governor.

Allison Brennan: We can tell you about his strengths and weaknesses. Strengths. Hard worker. Paid his way through college.

Conor Brennan: 25 years in business and nonprofits.

Allison Brennan: Ran Wisconsin's largest science museum for kids.

Conor Brennan: Governor Evers made Dad his top cabinet official.

Allison Brennan: Built a budget surplus. Cleaned up Scott Walker's mess.

Conor Brennan: Now weaknesses.

Allison Brennan: Dad jokes.

Conor Brennan: Dance moves.

Audra Brennan: Did you mention his clothes?

Joel Brennan: Come on.

VO: Joel Brennan. Common sense. Experience. A governor for us.

20 Former Wisconsin Legislators Across the State Endorse Joel Brennan’s Campaign for Governor

Milwaukee, WI – Today, Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan announced endorsements from 20 former Wisconsin legislators. From Milwaukee to the Northwoods, from western Wisconsin to the Fox Valley, leaders who have spent decades serving Wisconsin families are making their choice clear ahead of the August 11 primary.

"It's time for Democrats to choose. I choose Joel Brennan. Joel is a reasonable, rational leader who relates to northern Wisconsin,” said former Wisconsin State Senator Jim Holeprin. “Joel Brennan will listen and, once having listened, will act to the benefit of all of Wisconsin.  And, he can win."

“Serving 21 years in the legislature and as the first democrat woman elected Senate Majority Leader, I know a real leader when I see one. I've campaigned with Joel at farmers markets and watched him really listen and engage with people — not just shake hands and move on,” said former Wisconsin State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson. “He is kind, he is genuine, and my gut tells me Joel Brennan is the real deal. He shares our Wisconsin values, and that is exactly what we need right now."

"These are men and women who have spent their careers fighting for Wisconsin, in the legislature, in city halls, and in communities across this state,” said Joel Brennan. “Earning the trust of folks who have devoted their lives to Wisconsin is something I do not take for granted. I am ready to show up, roll up my sleeves, and get to work for this state– and I will not let Wisconsin down."

The full list of endorsers includes:

• Judy Robson, former State Senator and Senate Majority Leader — Beloit

• Tom Barrett, former Mayor of Milwaukee — Milwaukee

• Bob Jauch, former State Senator and State Representative — Poplar

• Dana Wachs, former State Representative — Eau Claire

• Jim Holperin, former State Senator — Conover

• Donna Seidel, former State Representative — Wausau

• Mike Sheridan, former Assembly Speaker — Janesville

• John Antaramian, former State Representative and Mayor of Kenosha — Kenosha

• John Robinson, former State Representative and Mayor of Wausau — Wausau

• Wally Kunicki, former Assembly Speaker — Milwaukee

• John Medinger, former State Representative and Mayor of La Crosse — La Crosse

• Dennis Conta, former State Representative — Milwaukee

• Chet Gerlach, former State Representative — Elkhart Lake

• Jim Wahner, former Assembly Majority Leader — Milwaukee

• Jeff Neubauer, former State Representative — Racine

• Dan Schooff, former State Representative — Beloit

• Tony Staskunas, former State Representative — West Allis

• Kevin Soucie, former State Representative — Milwaukee

• Shirley Krug, former Assembly Minority Leader — Milwaukee

• Mark Meyer, former State Representative and State Senator — La Crosse

Joel Brennan Makes It Official, Files for Governor Backed by Thousands of Wisconsinites and Fueled by Hundreds of Volunteers

Madison, WI – Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan filed his nomination papers today with the Wisconsin Elections Commission, submitting over 3,000 signatures gathered by hundreds of volunteers from every corner of the state. The filing marks a major milestone for a campaign that has built its foundation one conversation, one doorstep, and one handshake at a time.

The signatures represent thousands of Wisconsin voters who have already put their name behind Brennan's vision for the state — a governor who will lower costs for families, stand up to Donald Trump, and make sure government actually works for the people of Wisconsin.

“This campaign has been built by the people of Wisconsin from day one, and today is proof of that,” said Joel Brennan. “Hundreds of volunteers gave their time and energy to make this happen, knocking on doors, spending time at farmers’ markets, and talking to their neighbors about what's at stake in this race. I am grateful for every single one of them. The energy out there is growing every day, and we are just getting started. Buckle up.”

Joel Brennan Slams Tom Tiffany for Joining Trump in Continuing to Re-litigate the 2020 Election

Milwaukee, WI – This morning, Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany refused to say whether Joe Biden won Wisconsin's 2020 presidential election, backed FBI agents questioning Wisconsin election workers, and said those workers should face criminal charges if federal authorities deem it necessary. 

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted, “Wisconsin's 2020 election outcome has been confirmed and vetted by lawsuits, a state audit, a study by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, and through a taxpayer-funded investigation launched by Republican lawmakers that turned up no evidence of wrongdoing. A recount of the 2020 election paid for by Trump in two Wisconsin counties also confirmed Trump's loss. Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by about 21,000 votes.”

“Donald Trump lost Wisconsin in 2020. By 21,000 votes. It was recounted. Audited. Litigated. Investigated by Republican lawmakers. He lost every single time. Six years later, he still can't accept it, so he's sending FBI agents to the homes of Wisconsin election workers who did nothing wrong," said Joel Brennan. "Wisconsin families are getting crushed by Trump's trade war. Gas prices are through the roof. Mortgage rates are up. Farmers are getting squeezed. And Tom Tiffany is spending his time doing Donald Trump's dirty work, helping him relitigate an election he lost six years ago. Wisconsin election workers did their jobs. They followed the law. Wisconsinites deserve a governor who will stand up for them, not someone who will gleefully stand by as the leader of the free world sics the FBI on them."

While Tom Tiffany refuses to say who won an election that happened six years ago, Joel Brennan is the only candidate in the race with a plan to protect the next one. Brennan's plan to defend our democracy commits to protecting election workers and officials from threats and intimidation, defending early and absentee voting, deploying state law enforcement resources — and if necessary, the Wisconsin National Guard — to safeguard election workers and polling places, and making sure Wisconsin voters, not Washington politicians, decide the outcome of Wisconsin elections.

WXOW: Sen. Pfaff endorses Joel Brennan for Wisconsin governor

On Friday, State Senator Brad Pfaff endorsed Joel Brennan for governor at Riverside Park in La Crosse, highlighting Brennan's record and focus on western Wisconsin. Pfaff called Brennan a leader who can represent all Wisconsinites.

WKOW: Sen. Pfaff endorses Joel Brennan for Wisconsin governor

By Jack Mulvaney | May 1, 2026

KEY POINTS:

• Wisconsin State Senator Brad Pfaff endorsed Democrat Joel Brennan for governor at Riverside Park in La Crosse Friday.

• Pfaff called Brennan a leader who can represent all Wisconsinites, highlighting a $4 billion budget surplus, a strengthened rainy day fund and pandemic relief for families.

• Brennan emphasized his commitment to western Wisconsin, including education at the K-12, early childhood, and higher education levels: "We need to make sure we're investing in schools in the way that we know them. Both at the k-12 level but also in early childhood, which is a broken system in Wisconsin."

• Brennan also emphasized support for farmers, pointing to rising input costs he attributed to President Donald Trump’s tariff plan. Pfaff said while the recently passed farm bill is a step forward, more needs to be done.

• "As Joel [Brennan] stated, our family farmers work very hard every single day and quite frankly, due to tariffs and fertilizer cost and fuel prices, they're getting squeezed at the margins. They really, really are," Pfaff said. "This Farm Bill is important, but again, a lot more work needs to be done and it's disappointing that it has taken Congress so long to move forward."

• Pfaff said Brennan is ready to step into the governor's office and be a leader on day one.

Read the full article here.

State Senator Brad Pfaff Endorses Joel Brennan for Governor

La Crosse, WI – Today, State Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) officially endorsed Joel Brennan for Governor, joining Brennan at a press conference at Riverside Park in La Crosse to make the announcement.

"Joel Brennan isn’t your typical candidate, he’s a workhorse, not a show horse. He shows up, gets things done, and treats people right. He knows how state government actually works, and he's the kind of person you want running this state,” said State Senator Brad Pfaff. “We have a real shot at winning the governorship and flipping both the Senate and the Assembly in November and then going on the offense in the New Year, but that only happens with the right person at the top of the ticket. Joel is that person."

Pfaff represents Wisconsin's 32nd Senate District, covering La Crosse, Vernon, and parts of Monroe and Trempealeau counties. The two worked together at the Wisconsin Department of Administration after Pfaff's removal as DATCAP Secretary by Senate Republicans in 2019, the first time in over thirty years the Senate had fired a governor's cabinet appointee.

Brennan welcomed the endorsement from his longtime colleague and friend.

"Brad Pfaff has spent his career fighting for Wisconsin farmers and rural communities, and he has never forgotten where he came from and who he represents," said Joel Brennan. "I am honored to have his support in my race for Governor and look forward to continuing to work with him to strengthen rural communities all across Wisconsin."

As Gas Prices Hit Four-Year High, Joel Brennan Calls for a 30-Day Gas Tax Holiday

Brennan proposes using funds from Wisconsin's budget surplus to offset the relief, so road funding projects can continue uninterrupted

Milwaukee, WI – Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan is calling for an immediate 30-day gas tax holiday to keep more money in Wisconsin families’ pockets as gas prices hit a four-year high and experts warn prices could surge even higher in the days ahead. Brennan proposes using money from the state's nearly $2.5 billion budget surplus to backfill road funding so Wisconsin families get relief, and Wisconsin roads don't pay the price.

Gas prices are at a four-year high, with parts of Wisconsin already seeing prices jump by 33 cents in a single week, crossing above $4.00 for the first time since October 2022, and experts warn it's not expected to let up anytime soon. Prices in Wisconsin are expected to jump another 50 to 80 cents per gallon, driven by refinery problems and rising oil prices tied to President Trump's escalating conflict with Iran.

"Wisconsin families are getting squeezed every which way right now, and every dollar counts. Trump's trade war and foreign policy disaster are driving gas prices through the roof, and Tom Tiffany has stood by and done nothing while working families have taken the hit,” said Joel Brennan. “This won't end the chaos Trump is causing, but it will give Wisconsin's workers, families, and farmers some temporary relief while we wait for Tom Tiffany and the GOP Congress to grow a spine and stand up for the people they were elected to serve."

Wisconsin's gas tax is 30.9 cents per gallon. According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Wisconsin drivers consume roughly 200 million gallons of gasoline per month. A 30-day gas tax holiday would put approximately $80 million back in the pockets of Wisconsin drivers and businesses. 

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Joel Brennan Releases “The People’s Budget”, Outlining His Plan for an Open & Transparent Budget Process, Accountable to the People of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI – Today, Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan released “The People’s Budget,” outlining the process he would use to craft the Wisconsin biennial budget in an open, transparent way that is accountable to the people of Wisconsin.

"I helped build two budgets with Governor Evers. It's one of the hardest things a governor does,  you're balancing the needs of every state agency and every community, all at once, with the clock ticking. I saw what works. I also saw what could be done better,” said Joel Brennan. “Too many Wisconsin families feel like the budget happens to them, not for them, and honestly, can you blame them? Deals get cut in back rooms, last-minute items get crammed in at midnight, and by the time anyone finds out what's in the budget, it's already law. This is the people of Wisconsin's money, and they deserve a seat at that table, and as governor, I'll make sure they have one."

As Governor, Joel will commit to the following when crafting Wisconsin’s budget:

• Ask Wisconsin families what they need first. Before introducing Wisconsin's first budget, every household in the state will get a survey.

• Take the budget to Wisconsin — all of Wisconsin. Hold public listening sessions in every region of the state, in person and online, at varying times that work for people who work.

• Show our work. We'll publish every state agency's budget request alongside the governor's proposal, showing what they asked for, what made it in, and what got cut.

• See exactly where the money goes. Joel will release a live spending dashboard online, updated regularly, that tracks every grant, every contract, and every agency budget. Additionally, a true plain-language budget summary, so any Wisconsin family can track where the money is going, whether their community is getting its fair share, and why we're spending it.

• Make sure rural Wisconsin isn't left behind. Every budget will include a geographic fairness analysis. Ensuring all communities get their fair share, especially the rural areas of the state, who have been left behind by the state government for too long.

• End backroom lobbying on the budget. Any lobbyist who meets with a state agency about the budget must publicly disclose within 72 hours who they met with and what they asked for.

• No more midnight deals. If budget negotiations are still open, the public gets a 72-hour window to see what's on the table before anything is signed. No more last-minute air-drops or surprises. If it's going into the budget, Wisconsin deserves to know about it first.

Read the full plan here.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Joel Brennan Announces 3% Mortgages for First-Time Buyers as Part of Statewide “Build Roots, Build Wisconsin” Housing Plan

Milwaukee, WI – This afternoon in Wauwatosa, Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan released his “Build Roots, Build Wisconsin”, a comprehensive housing affordability plan focused on building up inventory, giving new homeowners better tools to buy, and keeping folks in their homes by providing property tax relief. 

“Every time a young person leaves Wisconsin because they can't afford to stay and build a life here, we lose a worker, a taxpayer, a neighbor — and our future,” said Joel Brennan. “I've traveled this state and heard the same thing everywhere: people want to stay, but they can't make the numbers work. This isn't a problem we can solve with one silver bullet. It takes a real strategy, and that’s what this plan is.”

At the core of his plan, Brennan announced the “Wisconsin Home Forward Program”: a state-backed effort to unlock homeownership and increase mobility in the housing market to help solve this problem. The program will direct 3% mortgages, powered by WHEDA, provided to first-time homebuyers and long-term homeowners looking to downsize.  It will be structured to recycle funds over time, reinvest repayments to support future buyers, and minimize long-term taxpayer cost. One program will trigger two outcomes: young families gain access to home ownership, and older homeowners gain the freedom to move.  

The “Build Roots, Build Wisconsin” plan is organized around three core strategies:

1. Build: 100,000 Entry-Level Homes. Brennan will transform WHEDA into a statewide housing delivery engine, modernize permitting and zoning to accelerate construction, and create a $50,000 shared-equity gap loan to close the gap between what homes cost to build and what families can afford to pay. The state recoups its investment as homes appreciate, making the program self-sustaining over time.

2. Buy: Make Homeownership Achievable. The Wisconsin Home Forward Program will offer below-market, state-supported mortgage options for first-time buyers and long-term homeowners looking to downsize, unlocking movement across the entire market. One program, two outcomes: young families get in, older homeowners get out.

3. Protect: Keep People in Their Homes. Property tax relief for low-income seniors, expanded support for cost-burdened households, and a tax on large corporate investors who purchase single-family homes as rentals,  with revenues reinvested directly into housing solutions.

Read the full plan here.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Joel Brennan Slams Trump’s Attempt to Take Over Elections: “Wisconsin runs Wisconsin’s elections. Period”

Milwaukee, WI – This evening, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would “exert federal control over voter rolls and mail-in ballots.”  Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan released the following statement: 

“Wisconsin runs Wisconsin’s elections. Period. Wisconsin residents are facing the surging costs of gas, food, child care, health care, you name it. Even Donald Trump can see they are struggling. And his solution? Try to make it even harder for us to vote. Wisconsin won’t stand for it, and neither will I.” 

Brennan is the only candidate in the race who has laid out a comprehensive plan to defend democracy in response to Trump’s ongoing attempts to “nationalize” elections and allow the federal government to take control of voting in certain states. His plan includes: 

• Protecting election workers and officials from threats, harassment, and intimidation by directing state resources to keep them safe.

• Defending early and absentee voting, including allowing clerks to securely process mail-in and early ballots before Election Day to speed counting and improve transparency.

• Countering election misinformation by elevating facts and trusted election officials when false claims threaten public confidence.

• Defending Wisconsin’s authority over elections, including deploying state law enforcement resources — and, if necessary, the Wisconsin National Guard — to safeguard election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure.

• Expanding voter participation for all eligible Wisconsinites to make democracy work better for everyone, not to benefit any political party.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Joel Brennan Unveils Health Care Plan, Guarantees Health Coverage for Every Wisconsin Child

Milwaukee, WI – Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan today released “A Healthy Wisconsin Promise,” a plan to stabilize health care, lower costs, and ensure access for all Wisconsin families. 

At the center of the plan is “Health Care for All Kids” — a guarantee that every child in Wisconsin will have access to health coverage up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of their parents’ eligibility status. The proposal integrates Medicaid, CHIP, and state funding to close coverage gaps that leave thousands of Wisconsin children uninsured today.

"Wisconsin has one of the strongest health care systems in the country — our hospitals, physicians, and nurses are nationally respected. But the system is under strain, and families feel it every time they can't pay a bill or find a doctor close to home,” said Joel Brennan. “This is ‘The Healthy Wisconsin Promise’, because I intend to keep it. This plan is about making sure Wisconsin works for everyone, including getting every kid the care they need, and I know we can get it done."

The Healthy Wisconsin Promise plan is made up of four pillars, strengthen health care access, especially in rural areas; lower health care costs for families and employers; grow the health care workforce; and treat mental health care as essential health care. Here are just a few additional examples of how Joel will deliver:

• Give pharmacists in rural and underserved communities the authority to prescribe medications and provide preventive care, reducing unnecessary ER visits and expanding access where doctors are scarce

• Create a state public option that allows small businesses and individuals to buy into the state employee health plan, and crack down on pharmacy benefit managers by banning spread pricing, requiring drug rebates to go back to patients, and guaranteeing that independent pharmacies are paid at fair rates. 

• Create an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship program for nurses and allied health professionals to address Wisconsin's projected shortages 

• Transform mental health crisis response from a law enforcement model into a clinical care model, with mobile crisis teams and regional crisis centers statewide

Read the full comprehensive plan and how we pay for it here.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

Brennan Campaign Names Former State Party Executive Director Sarah Abel as Campaign Manager

Milwaukee, Wis. — Joel Brennan’s campaign for governor today announced that Sarah Abel, former Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, will serve as Campaign Manager, further strengthening a campaign competing across Wisconsin.

“Sarah understands Wisconsin and what it takes to win here,” Brennan said. “I’m grateful she’s stepping in to lead this effort. People across our state want a governor who will put their needs first, tackle affordability, and fight for our democracy. Together, we’ll take that case directly to voters across Wisconsin.”

Abel is an experienced political strategist and campaign professional with deep roots in Wisconsin. A sixth-generation Wisconsinite, she has worked on competitive races across the country, including U.S. Senate campaigns in Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin, and previously served as communications director for multiple members of Congress in Washington, D.C.

In 2020, Abel served as Campaign Manager for Congressman Ron Kind’s re-election, successfully defending a district Trump carried by five percentage points — one of only seven Democrats nationwide to win re-election in a Trump district that cycle. She later served as Senate Communications Director at American Bridge 21st Century and most recently as Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, where she oversaw the state party’s strategy, operations, and outreach.

Abel said she is ready to build a campaign focused on Wisconsin workers and families.

"Joel Brennan stands out because this isn't about him — it's about delivering for Wisconsin families. He's made government work before, and that's exactly what this campaign is about. I'm proud to be part of it.”

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

The Cap Times: Brennan's Got a Good Plan for Defending Democracy

Milwaukee, Wis. — A new column from The Capital Times applauds Joel Brennan’s Plan to Defend Our Democracy against President Donald Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections and allow the federal government to take control of voting – a move that would undermine the Constitution and override states’ authority.

In the piece, Associate Editor John Nichols reviews the plan - reported on here by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - and credits Joel, a Democratic candidate for Governor, for taking Trump’s threat seriously and offering “a sound” plan to protect Wisconsinites.

Learn more about Joel’s plan here and read highlights from The Capital Times column below.

Opinion | Joel Brennan's got a good plan for defending democracy

John Nichols

• We have reached the point in the race for the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial nomination where candidates should get beyond introductions and start sharing detailed plans for addressing the issues facing Wisconsin.

• So it is good to see that Joel Brennan, a late starter in the race, has a sound one for defending democracy at a point when Donald Trump’s authoritarian overreach demands smart and effective responses.

• Brennan recognizes what’s at stake. Trump regularly objects to legitimate election results, attacks state officials who don’t report results that are to his liking and seeks to upend safe and reliable practices for organizing elections.

• Brennan is taking no chances.

• “We will not let Donald Trump undermine our right to free and fair elections,” says Brennan, who served as Department of Administration (DOA) secretary under Gov. Tony Evers from 2019 to 2021, and more recently was president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC). “As governor, I will protect election workers, defend voter access, and make sure Wisconsin voters — not Washington politicians — decide the outcome of our elections.”

• Brennan’s strategy for protecting Wisconsin’s election system emphasizes:

  • Protecting election workers and officials from threats, harassment and intimidation by directing state resources to keep them safe.

  • Defending early and absentee voting, including allowing clerks to securely process mail-in and early ballots before Election Day to speed counting and improve transparency.

  • Countering election misinformation by elevating facts and trusted election officials when false claims threaten public confidence.

  • Defending Wisconsin’s authority over elections, including deploying state law enforcement resources — and, if necessary, the Wisconsin National Guard — to safeguard election workers, polling places and election infrastructure.

  • Expanding voter participation for all eligible Wisconsinites to make democracy work better for everyone, not to benefit any political party.

• Proposing to call out the National Guard and state law enforcement officers, if necessary, to make sure that no one messes with Wisconsin elections is a bold stance.

• The prospect that Trump will target Wisconsin with his election “nationalization” scheme has to be treated seriously. Give Joel Brennan credit for doing just that.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

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Joel Brennan Details Plan to Defend Our Democracy from Trump’s Push for Federal Control

Milwaukee, Wis. — Democratic candidate for governor Joel Brennan today outlined a comprehensive Plan to Defend Our Democracy to safeguard Wisconsin’s elections in response to President Donald Trump’s call to “nationalize” elections and allow the federal government to take control of voting in certain states — a move that would undermine the Constitution and override states’ authority.

“We will not let Donald Trump undermine our right to free and fair elections,” Brennan said. “As governor, I will protect election workers, defend voter access, and make sure Wisconsin voters — not Washington politicians — decide the outcome of our elections.”

The decisive steps Brennan will take to protect Wisconsin’s election system include:

• Protecting election workers and officials from threats, harassment, and intimidation by directing state resources to keep them safe.

• Defending early and absentee voting, including allowing clerks to securely process mail-in and early ballots before Election Day to speed counting and improve transparency.

• Countering election misinformation by elevating facts and trusted election officials when false claims threaten public confidence.

• Defending Wisconsin’s authority over elections, including deploying state law enforcement resources — and, if necessary, the Wisconsin National Guard — to safeguard election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure.

• Expanding voter participation for all eligible Wisconsinites to make democracy work better for everyone, not to benefit any political party.

During his tenure as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Brennan convened business and civic leaders to publicly affirm the integrity of Wisconsin elections and counter misinformation with facts.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

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Former Milwaukee Mayor and U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrett Endorses Joel Brennan for Governor

Barrett: “I've seen how deeply Joel cares for this state, the ideas he brings to solving challenges and his readiness to lead on day one”

Brennan: "It's another way to demonstrate that we are ready to hold ICE accountable for what happens in Wisconsin”

Milwaukee, Wis. — Tom Barrett, former Milwaukee mayor, Democratic nominee for governor, and U.S. ambassador, today endorsed Joel Brennan in the Wisconsin Democratic primary for governor, citing years of working closely with Brennan and his confidence in Brennan’s judgment and readiness to lead Wisconsin.

"Working side by side with Joel, I've seen how deeply he cares for this state, the ideas he brings to solving challenges, and his readiness to lead on day one," Barrett said. "Wisconsin needs a governor with the strength to stand up to the attacks from Washington and commitment to make Wisconsin an affordable place for people to thrive and that's exactly what Joel will do."

Brennan said Barrett’s endorsement reflects shared expectations about leadership.

“Tom Barrett understands the weight of this office and the responsibility that comes with it,” Brennan said. “His confidence means a great deal, and I’m committed to rolling up my sleeves and getting things done for the people of the state I love.”

Brennan has quickly emerged as a standout candidate for Governor, leading with ideas to hold ICE accountable through the Wisconsin Accountability Commission, outlining his approach to leading the state, and raising more than $560,000 in just three short weeks.

About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.

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