Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
19.1%
18.2%
10.5%
7.7%
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
$2.2M
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleExecutive
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderMale
LocationWisconsin
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BackgroundExecutive
EducationMarquette University (B.A., English)
Notable personal detailsJoel Brennan is a Wisconsin executive and Democratic candidate for governor of Wisconsin in 2026. He served as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration from 2019 to 2022 under Gov. Tony Evers and later became president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee. He previously led Discovery World in Milwaukee and has worked in public, nonprofit, and business civic roles.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgpbswisconsin.orgbrennanforwi.comapnews.comgpelections.orgpolitics1.comwispolitics.comlinkedin.comwisconsinwatch.orgmadison.comkenoshacountywi.govco.pepin.wi.uswaupacademocrats.comdoa.wi.govwicourts.govreddit.comyahoo.comwisconsinexaminer.comwtmj.comwpr.orgweau.comblackchronicle.comyournews.comjayselthofner.comgmconline.orgarchive.phnews4jax.comurbanmilwaukee.comjsonline.comwausaupilotandreview.commilwaukeecourier.comnbc26.compbs.orgtmj4.comchannel3000.comwsaw.comcaptimes.compro.stateaffairs.comheartlandpost.comfacebook.cominstagram.comhistory.house.govballotready.orgjudiciary.senate.govclerk.house.govwikidata.orgdocs.house.govdemocrats.senate.govbaldwin.senate.govrepublicanleader.senate.govdisclosures-clerk.house.govfec.govnga.orgncsl.orggovinfo.govronjohnson.senate.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering the tax burden for middle-class families while also endorsing finding “rational, reasonable ways to raise revenue” and directing revenue toward state priorities. Emphasizes continuing tax policies from the Evers administration and investing in government programs consistent with those priorities.
Healthcare
The candidate has said health care affordability and uncertainty are priorities and highlights involvement in Wisconsin’s COVID response, but has not published a detailed policy plan on health care, Medicaid expansion, or a public option. Available public statements emphasize improving access and addressing costs without clear prescriptions for specific reforms. The public record therefore shows general commitments on health care but not specific policy positions.
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Immigration & Border
Supports measures to limit and investigate alleged abuses by federal immigration enforcement and to increase state oversight and transparency of ICE activity; proposes a state commission to collect and review evidence of ICE operations and refer potential violations to authorities. Emphasizes protecting families and holding federal immigration authorities accountable while framing actions in terms of rule-of-law and public safety.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate says abortion is health care and that decisions about abortion should be made between a woman and her health care provider, and expresses a desire to remove politics from those decisions. He supports ensuring that women and their doctors can make informed decisions without political interference.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 24, 2026
Joel Brennan is still in Wisconsin’s crowded Democratic governor primary and says he plans to keep campaigning, even as the field keeps shifting around him. He has also been trying to benefit from the fallout over Sara Rodriguez’s campaign finance problems and has said his campaign will resume advertising soon. More recently, Brennan joined other candidates in responding to the Madison police shooting, which has become a campaign issue ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. He also backed a push for new absentee ballots after some candidates dropped out and re-entered the race, a move that could lead to a lawsuit.
en.wikipedia.org+56
Articles
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette3 months ago
Brennan clarifies comments about prospects for non-white candidates
Negative
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette3 months ago
Brennan proposal strikes contrast with Democratic rival for governor
Positive
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette9 days ago
Joel Brennan staying in the race, seems to criticize Hong and Barnes
Neutral
GBGreen Bay Press-Gazette2 months ago
7 Democrats running for governor to square off in televised debate
Neutral
Polls
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Joel Brennan for Wisconsin Democratic Governor nominee?
Former Wisconsin legislators
Former elected official
Twenty former Wisconsin legislators endorsed Joel Brennan's campaign for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising