Brienne Brown (née Diebolt; born c.1973) is an American educator and Democratic politician from Whitewater, Wisconsin. She is a member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly and will represent Wisconsin's 43rd Assembly district in the 2025–2026 term.
Brienne Brown | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 43rd district | |
| Assuming office January 6, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Jenna Jacobson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brienne Diebolt 1973 (age 50–51) Germany |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Karl |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | The University of Texas at Austin (BA, MS) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life and career
editBrienne Diebolt was born in Germany, on an American airbase, to Mark Diebolt and Jean Diebolt (née Youngstrom). As a young child, Diebolt and her family moved to Iran, where her father served in a military attaché with the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah. Eventually she and her family moved to Austin, Texas, where Diebolt attended public schools and eventually the University of Texas at Austin, where she first obtained a Bachelor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies.[1]
After graduating from university, Diebolt began working for Stratfor, a geopolitical advising firm in the 1990s. She worked for this firm for ten years before returning to University of Texas at Austin and obtained a master's degree in Health Education. She then began working for the Texas Department of State Health Services as an epidemiologist. During her work with the Texas government, she was president of the Council of State & Territorial Epidemiologists. It was around this time that Diebolt assumed the surname Brown, after marrying fellow Austin resident Karl Brown.[1]
In 2012, Brown and her husband moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin after Karl was offered a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Brienne began teaching community yoga and assumed the role of an adjunct instructor at UW–Whitewater. She also engaged in community work, serving as the Program Director for the Whitewater Community Foundation, and the Whitewater Library Board.[1]
Political career
editIn 2018, Brown ran for Whitewater Common Council, but was defeated by Jim Allen.[2] She then ran again in 2019 in a different district, campaigning in support of building a grocery store, expanding the public library, and expanding public transportation services in Whitewater.[3] In the election she defeated incumbent alderman Chris Grady. She is now serving her third term on the council.
In 2022, Brown ran for Wisconsin's 31st Assembly district against Republican Ellen Schutt, a former aid to then incumbent representative Amy Loudenbeck. During the election Brown was endorsed by Planned Parenthood.[4] In the election, Schutt defeated her with a 18.38% margin, with Brown citing the legislative gerrymander as a factor in her defeat.[5][6]
Following the 2024 redistricting, which undid Wisconsin's 2011 gerrymander, incumbent Democrat Jenna Jacobson was drawn out of her district and into the neighboring 50th district.[7] Brown then declared her candidacy for the now open 43rd district.[8] Without a primary opponent Brown advanced to the general election where she faced Republican legislator Scott Johnson, who had been drawn out of the 33rd district and into this one due to redistricting.[9] A moderate Republican, Johnson had criticized his party over their refusal to accept the results of the 2020 United States Presidential election.[10] The district had a projected margin of 16 points Democratic.[11] In the election, Brown defeated Johnson with a narrow 51.24% of the vote.[12] Brown is set to take office in January 2025
Personal life
editBrown lives with her husband, Karl, and her two children in Whitewater. Both Brienne and her husband work for the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater as educators, with Karl having a specialization in Cold War history.[1]
Electoral history
editWhitewater Common Council, At-large district (2018)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | General[13] | Apr. 3 | Jim Allen (inc) | Nonpartisan | 663 | 52.78% | Brienne Brown | Non. | 587 | 46.74% | 1,256 | 76 |
Whitewater Common Council, 3rd district (2019–Present)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | General[14] | Apr. 2 | Brienne Brown | Nonpartisan | 192 | 60.76% | Chris Grady (inc) | Non. | 122 | 38.61% | 316 | 70 |
| 2021 | General[15] | Apr. 6 | Brienne Brown (inc) | Nonpartisan | 182 | 97.85% | --unopposed-- | 186 | 178 | |||
| 2023 | General[16] | Apr. 4 | Brienne Brown (inc) | Nonpartisan | 407 | 98.78% | 412 | 402 | ||||
Wisconsin Assembly, 31st district (2022)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | General[5] | Nov. 8 | Ellen Schutt | Republican | 14,704 | 59.15% | Brienne Brown | Dem. | 10,134 | 40.77% | 24,858 | 4,570 |
Wisconsin Assembly, 43rd district (2024)
edit| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | General[12] | Nov. 5 | Brienne Brown | Democratic | 16,736 | 51.24% | Scott Johnson | Rep. | 15,889 | 48.64% | 32,664 | 847 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Brienne's Bio". BrienneForWisconsin. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- ^ Aimone, Nicole (April 3, 2018). "Incumbent James Allen narrowly re-elected to common council". Royal Purple News. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Welch, Christy (March 25, 2019). "Diebolt-Brown says young professionals need representation". Daily Jefferson County Union. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin: Announces its final slate of legislative endorsements". Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin (Press release). October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024 – via WisPolitics.
- ^ a b Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 15. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Patten, Neal (November 9, 2022). "Update: Ellen Schutt beats Brienne Brown in Wisconsin Assembly District 31". GazetteXtra. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Jacobson announces candidacy for new 50th Assembly District". The Oregon Observer. March 18, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Brienne Brown Announces Candidacy for State Assembly in District 43". The Whitewater Banner. April 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "Scott Johnson joins 43rd Assembly District race". GazetteXtra. April 12, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Kubzansky, Will (June 28, 2022). "Candidate Q&A: Assembly District 33 Republican Primary". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ Shafer, Dan (September 19, 2024). "2024 Wisconsin State Legislature Voter Guide: Assembly District 43". Civic Media. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ a b County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 43. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^
- Jefferson County Results - Spring General Election - April 3, 2018 (Report). Jefferson County, Wisconsin. April 10, 2018. p. 1. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- Complete-Unofficial Election night results - April 3, 2018 (Report). Walworth County, Wisconsin. April 3, 2018. p. 31. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Unofficial Election-night Results, Complete - April 2, 2019 (Report). Walworth County, Wisconsin. April 2, 2019. p. 20. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Complete, Unofficial Election-night Results - April 6, 2021 (Report). Walworth County, Wisconsin. April 6, 2021. p. 20. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Unofficial, Complete Election Results, Spring election - April 4, 2023 (Report). Walworth County, Wisconsin. April 4, 2023. p. 24. Retrieved November 30, 2024.