Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 18th Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration | |
| In office January 7, 2019 – January 17, 2022 | |
| Governor | Tony Evers |
| Preceded by | Ellen Nowak |
| Succeeded by | Kathy Koltin Blumenfeld |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 (age 55–56) Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Marquette University (BA) University of Chicago (MPP) |
Joel Brennan (born 1970) is an American businessman and politician who was the 18th secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration from 2019 to 2022, under Governor Tony Evers. He is the president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and was a candidate in the Democratic primary for governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election.[1][2]
Early life and education
Joel Brennan was born and raised in Wisconsin. He is one of 11 children. He attended Marquette University High School and graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University with a bachelor's degree in English. He later earned a master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Brennan and his wife, Audra, have two children.[3]
Career
Early in his career, Brennan managed campaigns for former Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett and led the Milwaukee Redevelopment Authority under Barrett. He worked in government relations at Miller Brewing Company and served as a vice president at the Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau.[1] Brennan then spent over a decade as president and CEO of Discovery World, a science and technology museum on Milwaukee's lakefront.[4]
In December 2018, Governor-elect Tony Evers nominated Brennan as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration. He was confirmed unanimously by the Wisconsin State Senate in October 2019.[5] As secretary, Brennan oversaw state budget negotiations with the Republican-controlled Legislature and was the lead state official in renegotiating the state's contract with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn, reducing the maximum state tax credit exposure from $2.85 billion to $80 million.[6][7]
In late 2021, Brennan announced he was leaving the Evers administration to become president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, a Milwaukee business and civic organization.[7]
2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial campaign
In December 2025, Brennan announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.[8][2] Former Milwaukee mayor and U.S. ambassador Tom Barrett endorsed his campaign.[9] In his first campaign finance report covering July through December 2025, Brennan raised $566,212, ranking third among Democratic candidates in the race behind David Crowley and Sara Rodriguez.[10] Brennan ultimately placed fourth in the primary, behind Crowley, Francesca Hong, and Kelda Roys.[11][12]
Electoral history
Wisconsin governor (2026)
| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Primary | Aug. 11 | David Crowley | Democratic | 315,278 | 39.81% | Francesca Hong | Dem. | 311,495 | 39.33% | 791,957 | 3,783 |
| Kelda Roys | Dem. | 59,438 | 7.51% | |||||||||
| Joel Brennan | Dem. | 37,132 | 4.69% | |||||||||
| Sara Rodriguez (withdrawn) | Dem. | 32,687 | 4.13% | |||||||||
| Mandela Barnes (withdrawn) | Dem. | 32,410 | 4.09% | |||||||||
| Missy Hughes (withdrawn) | Dem. | 3,246 | 0.41% | |||||||||
References
- 1 2 Kremer, Rich. "Former Evers cabinet secretary Joel Brennan enters race for governor". WPR. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- 1 2 "Joel Brennan, Former Top Evers Aide, Joins Crowded 2026 Wisconsin Governor Race". Associated Press. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ↑ Karnopp, Hope. "Who is Joel Brennan, latest Democrat in Wisconsin governor race?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ Spears, Baylor. "Joel Brennan, former Evers cabinet member, joins Democratic primary for governor". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ↑ Hauer, Sarah. "Governor's top cabinet official Joel Brennan to become president of Greater Milwaukee Committee". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Gov. Tony Evers doesn't tell whole story with claim that new Foxconn deal saves taxpayers $2.77B". PolitiFact. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- 1 2 Hess, Corri. "Joel Brennan leaving Evers cabinet to lead Milwaukee business and civic organization". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ Beck, Molly. "Joel Brennan, former top Evers official, enters Dem field for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Milwaukee Mayor and U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrett Endorses Joel Brennan for Governor". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
- ↑ "David Crowley Tops Democratic Fundraising in Wisconsin Governor's Race". Milwaukee Courier. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
- ↑ Hill, Meredith (August 12, 2026). "David Crowley defeats democratic socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin governor primary". Politico. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
- ↑ Yoon, Robert (August 10, 2026). "AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Wisconsin's state primary". Associated Press. Retrieved August 11, 2026.