For Immediate Release:
December 8, 2017
Contact:
Lis Smith, 224-567-9062
Robert Dempsey, 614-546-8377
Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney Endorses Mahlon Mitchell for Governor
First Law Enforcement Endorsement in Race for Governor
Today, Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney announced his support for Mahlon Mitchell in his campaign for governor. Mahoney has served as Dane County Sheriff since 2006. The Dane County Sheriff’s office is the 4th largest law enforcement agency in the state of Wisconsin.
“It’s time for change in Wisconsin. That’s why I’m supporting Mahlon Mitchell for governor,” Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney said. “He has shown the leadership that we need to move Wisconsin forward, and he has always stood with law enforcement throughout the years. I know that he put Wisconsin’s public safety first, and give our first responders the tools they need to do their jobs.”
Mitchell, a 20-year firefighter and President of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin, thanked Mahoney for his support, and pledged to continue to stand with law enforcement when he is elected governor.
“Sheriff Mahoney has been on the front lines of public safety in our state. He knows the challenges that law enforcement faces—whether in dealing with our state’s opioid crisis or trying to keep communities safe in the face of budget cuts in Madison. Keeping our communities safe is critical to the future of our state, and it requires all hands working. I look forward to working with him to ensure that law enforcement has the resources they need to effectively carry out their jobs.”
About Mahlon Mitchell:
Mahlon Mitchell was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin. He now lives with his wife, April and two children, Sie’anna and Karson, in Fitchburg.
Mahlon followed in his older brother’s footsteps when he became a fire fighter in Madison twenty years ago. His two brothers are fire fighters in Atlanta and St. Paul. These careers came out of a family that instilled values of service and working for others.
This sense of service is also exemplified in Mahlon’s other activities. He was a counselor at the Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety’s Burn Camp, which he also directed for five years. This summer camp worked with burn-injured youth to help them cope with their unique situation and build a network of support.
Mahlon also worked as a street outreach coordinator with Briarpatch and Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin, where he linked at-risk youth with services from their community.
Recently, Mahlon was instrumental to passing two pieces of legislation that were a huge victory for fire fighters across the state. The Infectious Disease Presumption fought to make sure fire fighters are covered if they contract a disease or disability on the job. Additionally, the legislature passed a bill that ensures families and spouses of fire fighters who die in the line of duty will have their health insurance premiums covered.
When the fight over collective bargaining began in 2011, Mahlon led the fire fighters in a monumental stand of solidarity with other public servants. Despite being exempted from the bill, Mahlon and his fellow fire fighters marched on the Capitol with fellow working families that were threatened by the Budget Repair Bill.
Mahlon took the opportunity to travel the state as a fire fighter spreading the words about Scott Walker’s divisive policies.
In addition to his service in the community, Mahlon was a real estate agent for six years at First Weber in Madison. He currently serves as President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, being the youngest and first African American to serve in the post.