Joel Brennan joins race for governor

Joel Brennan, a former top official in Gov. Tony Evers’ administration, announced Thursday that he is running to succeed the two-term Democrat, joining a crowded primary field for the 2026 election. Brennan, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, told The Associated Press that he would be a governor who both fights President Donald Trump’s “chaos and dysfunction” and works across the aisle with Republicans in the state. Brennan said he wants to build relationships with both Democrats and Republicans to “roll up our sleeves and work together.” Other Democrats in the race include Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez; former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes; state Sen. Kelda Roys; state Rep. Francesca Hong; Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the highest elected official in the Democratic stronghold; and former state economic development director Missy Hughes. Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a staunch Trump supporter, is the highest-profile GOP candidate. He faces a challenge from Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. An August primary will narrow the field ahead of the November general election.