“It is good to see that Joel Brennan, a late starter in the race, has a sound [plan] for defending democracy at a point when Donald Trump’s authoritarian overreach demands smart and effective responses.”
“The prospect that Trump will target Wisconsin with his election “nationalization” scheme has to be treated seriously. Give Joel Brennan credit for doing just that.”
Milwaukee, Wis. — A new column from The Capital Times applauds Joel Brennan’s Plan to Defend Our Democracy against President Donald Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections and allow the federal government to take control of voting – a move that would undermine the Constitution and override states’ authority.
In the piece, Associate Editor John Nichols reviews the plan – reported on here by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – and credits Joel, a Democratic candidate for Governor, for taking Trump’s threat seriously and offering “a sound” plan to protect Wisconsinites.
Learn more about Joel’s plan here and read highlights from The Capital Times column below.
Opinion | Joel Brennan’s got a good plan for defending democracy
John Nichols
- We have reached the point in the race for the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial nomination where candidates should get beyond introductions and start sharing detailed plans for addressing the issues facing Wisconsin.
- So it is good to see that Joel Brennan, a late starter in the race, has a sound one for defending democracy at a point when Donald Trump’s authoritarian overreach demands smart and effective responses.
- Brennan recognizes what’s at stake. Trump regularly objects to legitimate election results, attacks state officials who don’t report results that are to his liking and seeks to upend safe and reliable practices for organizing elections.
- Brennan is taking no chances.
- “We will not let Donald Trump undermine our right to free and fair elections,” says Brennan, who served as Department of Administration (DOA) secretary under Gov. Tony Evers from 2019 to 2021, and more recently was president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC). “As governor, I will protect election workers, defend voter access, and make sure Wisconsin voters — not Washington politicians — decide the outcome of our elections.”
- Brennan’s strategy for protecting Wisconsin’s election system emphasizes:
- Protecting election workers and officials from threats, harassment and intimidation by directing state resources to keep them safe.
- Defending early and absentee voting, including allowing clerks to securely process mail-in and early ballots before Election Day to speed counting and improve transparency.
- Countering election misinformation by elevating facts and trusted election officials when false claims threaten public confidence.
- Defending Wisconsin’s authority over elections, including deploying state law enforcement resources — and, if necessary, the Wisconsin National Guard — to safeguard election workers, polling places and election infrastructure.
- Expanding voter participation for all eligible Wisconsinites to make democracy work better for everyone, not to benefit any political party.
- Proposing to call out the National Guard and state law enforcement officers, if necessary, to make sure that no one messes with Wisconsin elections is a bold stance.
- The prospect that Trump will target Wisconsin with his election “nationalization” scheme has to be treated seriously. Give Joel Brennan credit for doing just that.
About Joel Brennan
Joel Brennan is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2026 election. As Wisconsin’s former top appointed cabinet official and a leader in Milwaukee’s business and nonprofit community, he has spent his career in public service working with government, community leaders, and businesses to strengthen communities, uphold democratic values, and ensure government works for the people it serves. Brennan is running for governor to provide accountable leadership and to ensure Wisconsin families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. For more information, visit www.BrennanforWI.com.
