Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Jonathan Brostoff
Jonathan Brostoff was a member of the Milwaukee Common Council in Wisconsin, representing District 3. He assumed office on November 16, 2022. He left office on November 4, 2024.
Brostoff ran for re-election to the Milwaukee Common Council to represent District 3 in Wisconsin. He won in the general election on April 2, 2024.
Brostoff died on November 4, 2024.[1]
Biography
Brostoff's professional experience includes working as a district director for Senate Democratic Leader Chris Larson, as a legislative aide to Milwaukee County supervisor Jason Haas, and serving on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin.[2] He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2008.[3]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Brostoff was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Brostoff was assigned to the following committees:
- Aging and Long-Term Care Committee
- Financial Institutions Committee
- Mental Health Committee
- Regulatory Licensing Reform Committee
2019-2020
Brostoff was assigned to the following committees:
- Aging and Long-Term Care Committee
- Constitution and Ethics Committee
- Regulatory Licensing Reform Committee
- Family Law Committee
- Mental Health Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Aging and Long-Term Care |
| • Government Accountability and Oversight |
| • Mental Health |
| • Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage |
| • Regulatory Licensing Reform |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Brostoff served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Mental Health Reform |
| • State Affairs and Government Operations |
| • Ways and Means |
| • Financial Institutions |
| • Aging and Long-Term Care |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2024)
General election
General election for Milwaukee Common Council District 3
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff defeated Ieshuh Griffin in the general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 3 on April 2, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jonathan Brostoff (Nonpartisan) | 76.6 | 4,269 |
| Ieshuh Griffin (Nonpartisan) | 22.5 | 1,253 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 53 | ||
| Total votes: 5,575 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff and Ieshuh Griffin advanced from the primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 3.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Brostoff in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2022)
General election
Special general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 3
Jonathan Brostoff won election in the special general election for Milwaukee Common Council District 3 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jonathan Brostoff (Nonpartisan) | 98.1 | 14,246 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.9 | 283 | ||
| Total votes: 14,529 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Jonathan Brostoff advanced from the special primary for Milwaukee Common Council District 3.
2020
See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff defeated Helmut Fritz in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jonathan Brostoff (D) | 78.4 | 27,552 |
 | Helmut Fritz (R) | 21.4 | 7,535 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 52 | ||
| Total votes: 35,139 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jonathan Brostoff | 99.4 | 9,426 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 60 | ||
| Total votes: 9,486 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19
Helmut Fritz advanced from the Republican primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Helmut Fritz | 99.3 | 905 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 911 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
2018
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018
General election
General election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff won election in the general election for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jonathan Brostoff (D) | 100.0 | 27,543 |
| Total votes: 27,543 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff advanced from the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jonathan Brostoff | 100.0 | 9,446 |
| Total votes: 9,446 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2016
Elections for the Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 general election.[4][5]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 19 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Jonathan Brostoff Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 26,732 | |
| Total Votes | 26,732 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
Incumbent Jonathan Brostoff ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Wisconsin State Assembly, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Jonathan Brostoff Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 12, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 2, 2014. Jonathan Brostoff defeated Marina Dimitrijevic, Dan Adams, and Sara Geenen in the Democratic primary. Joseph Klein ran as a Wisconsin Pirate Party candidate. Brostoff and Klein faced off in the general election.[8][9] Democrat Brostoff defeated Klein in the general election, and was elected to the seat.[10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jonathan Brostoff |
82.1% | 18,077 | |
| Independent | Joseph Klein | 17.9% | 3,943 | |
| Total Votes | 22,020 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Jonathan Brostoff |
35.2% | 3,069 |
| Marina Dimitrijevic | 32.4% | 2,819 |
| Dan Adams | 23.2% | 2,023 |
| Sara Geenen | 9.2% | 797 |
| Total Votes | 8,708 | |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jonathan Brostoff did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Jonathan Brostoff did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Jonathan Brostoff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brostoff's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Racial Justice
- Deaf Rights
- Environmental Security
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jonathan Brostoff completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brostoff's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Education, Deaf Rights, Environmental Security
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Many but I would put economic justice near the top of the list. After decades of working with homeless youth in Milwuakee I've seen firsthand how devastating economic disparity is to our community and how much work we have to do.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Bernie Sanders.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
https://youtu.be/dnfIyM2PZts
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity and speaking truth to power.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Uncompromising values and the willingness and ability to fight for what's right.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Making the world a better place and looking out for the people above all else.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Campaign finance reform and progress on Deaf Rights.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
September 11, 17 years old.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The poisonwood bible, the art of war and the ethics of our fathers (Pirkei Avot)
What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?
A more deliberative process.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Our lack of infrastructure for our aging population, economic disparity, and environmental security.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Co-equal branches with a lot of comminication and respect.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Non-partisan, like the Iowa model.
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
The ability to help protect consumers and work on issues of aging and long-term care.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
No.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Paul Wellstone.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Many, but I'm always interested in more. The best legislation comes from healthy and open dialogue with the community and I work hard to be accessible and keep my door open.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2014
Brostoff's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[11]
Economic Development
- Excerpt: "We need to focus our efforts on promoting small business development, community empowerment, and innovative environmental technologies to foster growth in Wisconsin’s economy."
Reinvesting in Public Education
- Excerpt: "The Voucher Tax on Milwaukee has not worked, and it is time to put this failed experiment to an end."
Transit in Milwaukee
- Excerpt: "We need to provide dedicated funding for transit that is linked to job growth, regionalize transit service, planning and governance, and link transportation investment decisions to key urban development goals."
Non-Partisan Redistricting
- Excerpt: "One of my top priorities will be to put an end to partisan redistricting in Wisconsin and bring back the traditional Wisconsin values that have been under attack because of the extreme nature of current state politics."
Voting Rights in Wisconsin
- Excerpt: "The reason behind the recent push to change our open, democratic voting laws is transparently partisan and it is unacceptable."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wisconsin scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2022
In 2022, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 18 to March 8.
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Legislators are scored by the Wisconsin Family Action on their votes on legislation related to "marriage, family, the sanctity of human life, or religious freedom."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on industry-specific legislation.
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2021, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 4 to December 31.
|
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 to May 13.
|
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7, 2019 through January 13, 2020.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2018, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 16 through March 27. Special sessions were held from January 1 through February 27 and from March 15 through March 29.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 3 through December 31. There were also special sessions. The first special session was January 5. The second special session was August 1 through September 15.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 15.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31.
|
Endorsements
In 2014, Brostoff's endorsements included the following:[16]
|
|
Noteworthy events
On March 19, 2020, Brostoff announced a self-quarantine after coming into contact with an individual who later tested positive for coronavirus.[17]
|
|---|
| Coronavirus pandemic |
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
|
COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first confirmed case of the disease in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. For more of Ballotpedia's coverage of the coronavirus impact on political and civic life, click here.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Milwaukee Common Council District 3 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "East side Milwaukee Ald. Jonathan Brostoff has died," November 4, 2024
- ↑ Vote Brostoff, "About," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 18, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commission, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability, "Candidates Registered by Office," June 11, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2014 Partisan Primary Candidates," accessed June 19, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Canvass Results for 2014 General Election," December 1, 2014
- ↑ Vote Brostoff, "Issues," accessed October 24, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Vote Brostoff, "Endorsements," accessed July 28, 2014
- ↑ 'Urban Milwaukee, "State Rep. Brostoff Quarantining After Coronavirus Exposure," March 19, 2020
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Nik Kovac |
Milwaukee Common Council District 3 2022-2024 |
Succeeded by Alex Brower |
| Preceded by Jon Richards (D) |
Wisconsin State Assembly District 19 2015-2023 |
Succeeded by Ryan Clancy (D) |
| |||||||||
