Joel Brennan, 55, former top aide to Gov. Tony Evers and current president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, announced his 2026 bid for Wisconsin governor. He says he will oppose President Donald Trump's 'chaos and dysfunction' while working with Republicans to deliver results. Brennan emphasizes 25 years of private-sector experience, senior state government roles and a statewide network as assets in a crowded Democratic primary.
Joel Brennan Launches 2026 Wisconsin Governor Bid — Vows To Counter Trump, Work Across The Aisle
This photo provided by Joel Brennan's campaign shows Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor Joel Brennan posing for a portrait in Milwaukee, Nov. 14, 2025. (Joel Brennan for Governor campaign via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Madison, Wis. — Joel Brennan, a former senior official in Governor Tony Evers' administration and current president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, announced Thursday that he is running for governor in 2026, joining a crowded Democratic primary to replace the two-term incumbent.
Brennan's Message
Brennan, 55, said he will be a candidate who both confronts what he called President Donald Trump's 'chaos and dysfunction' and reaches across the aisle to get things done with Wisconsin Republicans.
You don’t grow up in a family of 11 kids without learning how to fight, Brennan said. But there’s a difference between just fighting and getting something done.
He emphasized building relationships with leaders of both parties so they can 'roll up our sleeves and work together' on practical solutions for the state.
Where He Fits In The Field
Brennan joins a deep Democratic primary that already includes Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez; former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes; state Sen. Kelda Roys; state Rep. Francesca Hong; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; and former state economic development director Missy Hughes.
This photo provided by Joel Brennan's campaign shows Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor Joel Brennan posing for a portrait in Milwaukee, Nov. 14, 2025. (Joel Brennan for Governor campaign via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a staunch supporter of former President Trump, is currently the highest-profile GOP candidate, and he faces a challenge from Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann.
Experience And Campaign Plan
Brennan highlighted roughly 25 years of private-sector experience, plus his time as Evers' top aide during the first three years of the governor's administration, as qualifications that set him apart. He served as secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration from 2019 to 2022 and has led the Greater Milwaukee Committee since then, an organization of about 200 business, nonprofit and civic leaders focused on southeastern Wisconsin's economy and civic life.
Earlier in his career, Brennan spent 11 years as executive director of Discovery World, Milwaukee's science museum.
Brennan said he plans to tap a statewide network to raise funds and assemble a campaign team prepared to compete in an August primary that will narrow the field ahead of the November general election.
Political Context
Wisconsin remains a tightly contested battleground state: it voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024, and for Joe Biden in 2020, with all three presidential contests decided by margins under one percentage point. Brennan framed his campaign as offering pragmatic leadership from day one if voters give him the chance.
