Community service has been a constant throughout Joel’s life. He served as president and a member of the Fraternal Branch Organization for Lutheran Brotherhood, helping lead projects supporting nursing homes, retirement homes, neighborhood cleanups, and other community improvement efforts.

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In Wauwatosa, Joel was selected to serve on the city’s Sign Committee under Mayor Walsh and continued serving on the committee while his wife, Linda, served on the Commercial Design Review Board. Joel also served as president of the Wellauer Neighborhood Association for its first 12 years. He and Linda remain active members of the association and continue to call the neighborhood home.

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Joel has also served his church and community as Congregational President of Mount Carmel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee for five years.

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After decades of professional and community service, Joel is seeking to bring his experience, Wisconsin roots, and commitment to community to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

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A Note from Joel:

I Started out as a Democrat in College and switched to Republican after a few years out in the workforce.
I have been a Republican since and have served as the Branch Chair for the Wauwatosa Republicans for
the past 7 years. During this time, I became a strong supporter of Dr Howard Fuller and his vision of
Universal School Choice. The Government schools were doing poorly, and I remember all the benefits I
had growing up in an exceptional educational system. And the Milwaukee schools were definitely not at
that level. I hoped it would change from a voucher system and become 100% School Choice with
equality throughout, including homeschooling. The government would not be able to strangle the
schools with all their rules, regulations, and indoctrination! Didn’t happen! Instead, DEI got added to

the mix – and we ended up where we are at today! And when I read the report “2026 Analysis by City
Forward Collective” it got me motivated.

I checked on the representation for this district and couldn’t believe it! A representative serving “two
masters” or “double dipping”? Yep – Alderperson for Wauwatosa and State Assembly representative for
the folks in District 18 at the same time! This is why our Milwaukee schools are so underserved! Their
representative isn’t there to listen or help! They are working the other job!

The Analysis found that 22 of Wisconsin's 50 lowest-performing schools are concentrated on
Milwaukee's North Side – 17 of them operated by Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). And Black-White
academic achievement gaps are now the widest in the country for Black student proficiency. In short –
only 2 out of 10 black students are proficient in reading and writing! Bottom line – Milwaukee has the
worst schools in the nation! And nobody cares about the 8 out of 10 that aren’t making it!
I hope all of you get to see my lawn sign with the message “The School Choice Candidate” because I
intend to spend the next 2 years getting legislation passed for “Universal School Choice”. And at the
end of 2 years, I hope I have successfully supported Universal School Choice for everyone in District 18,
including both the parents and students. As for Dr. Fuller – I hope his Vision is realized!