Milwaukee Common Council special election ordered for 3rd District

Milwaukee City Hall

Common Council President José Pérez on Monday ordered a special election to fill Milwaukee's 3rd District seat following the death of Ald. Jonathan Brostoff.

The special election – held on April 1, 2025 – will fill the remainder of the term, which expires on April 17, 2028. If necessary, a primary election will be held on Feb. 18, 2025.

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The circulation of nomination papers can begin Dec. 1. The deadline for submitting nomination papers to the Milwaukee Election Commission is no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2025.

Candidates are urged to contact the Milwaukee Election Commission at 414-286-3491 with questions and for further information.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, there is help available. Call 988 – the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the county crisis line near you – all the phone numbers are available on the Prevent Suicide Wisconsin website.

Jonathan Brostoff

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said Brostoff died by suicide on Nov. 4.

The 41-year-old Brostoff was a husband and a father to four children. He represented Milwaukee's east side on the city's Common Council. Previously, he served in the Wisconsin Assembly.

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Funeral services were held on Friday, Nov. 8 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Zelazo Center. Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff that day.

State Sen. Chris Larson said Brostoff was a fierce advocate for mental health and part of the suicide prevention task force. The alderman pushed for red flag laws which would keep guns away from people in crisis. 

A GoFundMe online fundraiser was created to help Brostoff's family.

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