Sean O'Brien (Wisconsin)
2025 - Present
2026
0
Sean O'Brien is a member of the Madison Common Council in Wisconsin, representing District 16. He assumed office on April 15, 2025. His current term ends on April 21, 2026.
O'Brien ran for election to the Madison Common Council to represent District 16 in Wisconsin. He won in the general election on April 1, 2025.
O'Brien completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Sean O'Brien earned a high school diploma from Madison East High School and a bachelor's degree from Edgewood College in 2020. His career experience includes working as a policy director.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Madison, Wisconsin (2025)
General election
General election for Madison Common Council District 16
Sean O'Brien defeated Kim Richman in the general election for Madison Common Council District 16 on April 1, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sean O'Brien (Nonpartisan)  | 62.2 | 4,040 |
| Kim Richman (Nonpartisan) | 37.4 | 2,432 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 25 | ||
| Total votes: 6,497 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Sean O'Brien and Kim Richman advanced from the primary for Madison Common Council District 16.
Endorsements
O'Brien received the following endorsements. To view a full list of O'Brien's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sean O'Brien completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by O'Brien's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I currently serve as the Policy Director for Fair Wisconsin, our state’s only LGBTQ+ civil rights and political advocacy organization. I’ve worked with every level of government, drafted policy and budget proposals, and built relationships with leaders and organizations across Wisconsin. I am also a member of the Richmond Hill Condo Association Board.
I'm running for alder because I love Madison and want to give back to the community that raised me. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and tackle some of our city’s toughest issues, from affordability and transparency to public safety, transportation, and protecting our environment. You can learn more about our campaign at www.seanformadison.com.- I am running for alder to bring new ideas, energy, and thoughtful leadership to the council. I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership that will bring a fresh perspective to government focused on lowering costs, increased communication, and protecting our values.
- As a young homeowner with parents who are living on a fixed income, I’ve seen firsthand the financial strain Madisonians face. We have to make it more affordable for people to live, buy a home, and raise a family here if we want to see the full benefit of the growth Madison is experiencing. We must use every tool available to prevent people from being priced out, including improving efficiency and building more affordable housing that prioritizes access to public transportation, jobs, and opportunities. We must also continue to provide financial relief for those struggling most, including our seniors. I am committed to finding ways to lower costs and make Madison affordable for current and future residents.
- I am a civil rights advocate and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. I've spent my career listening, fighting for others, and protecting them from unfair treatment. I’ve worked with every level of government at every step of the policymaking process to get things done. I’m ready to hit the ground running on Day 1 to deliver for District 16.
Collaboration and building coalitions is also key to being successful. It helps ensure a diverse set of voices and ideas are at the table that may not have been elevated before. I have spent almost a decade working in and around government, whether in the state legislature, on local and statewide campaigns, or for nonprofit advocacy organizations. I have a strong understanding of how the government works and how to build coalitions to get things done.
Alders need to be good listeners and collaborators. I want to ensure that the city is keeping everyone informed and giving residents a voice in decisions that impact them. It is important that residents of District 16 feel seen, valued, and benefit from the services that our city has to offer.
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.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Madison Common Council District 16 |
Officeholder Madison Common Council District 16 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 2, 2025
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jael Currie |
Madison Common Council District 16 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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