Milwaukee Common Council Ald. Jonathan Brostoff and former Ald. Terry Witkowski • Wisconsin Examiner has died

Milwaukee Common Council Ald. Jonathan Brostoff and former Ald. Terry Witkowski is reported to have died Monday edition from the Milwaukee mayor’s office.

Cavalier Mayor Johnson said in a statement that he was “extremely saddened” by the deaths of both men.

Brostoff, 41, was elected to the Common Council in November 2022 to represent a district on Milwaukee’s east side. Before joining the Common Council, Brostoff served in the State Assembly for eight years, first elected in 2014.

“Jonathan brought exceptional energy to his work at City Hall. His passion and commitment were evident every day,” Johnson said. “No elected official has brought more enthusiasm to his job than Jonathan. He was a husband, father, son and to me a close friend. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

An autopsy will be performed on Tuesday, according to records from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office shared with the mayor’s offices. The death is being investigated as a suicide.

Gov. Tony Evers said he and his wife, Kathy Evers, are “shocked and saddened” by Brostoff’s death.

“Jonathan’s death is a tragedy for all who knew him, and for the many whose lives were improved by his service and support. As a legislator, Jonathan always had a desire to look for the good in others, always working sincerely to bridge divides and unite people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” Evers said. He noted Brostoff’s work to support the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community, support for increasing local authority funding and expanding access to mental health services, saying Brostoff was “fully committed” to this work and “relentless in pursuing change that he believed in.”

“We hold his wife Diana, their four young children, their families and friends, and all who knew and loved Jonathan close to our hearts,” Evers said. “We lost him way, way too soon.”

Several other local officials mourned Brostoff’s death in statements Tuesday.

“Jonathan was a loving father and husband and greeted everyone he met with empathy and kindness. He was also a passionate advocate for the betterment of our community and dedicated his professional life to the people he represented. It was an honor to serve with him and we will miss him,” the Common Council members wrote joint statement.

The council asked people to respect the family’s privacy during this time of mourning.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the county “lost a beloved leader, partner and dear friend” and was “devastated” by his death.

“Our friendship goes back to our local organizing days, when we discovered a shared passion for improving Milwaukee County. From there, Jonathan and I rose through the ranks to eventually serve in the Wisconsin Legislature together,” said Crowley, who served from 2017-2020. “Every day we walked the halls of the Capitol to support working families, build healthier communities and ensure a brighter future for our children. After his time in Madison, Jonathan was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, where he continued his work on behalf of the people. “Jonathan never lost sight of why he ran for office: to make a difference in the lives of all Milwaukeeans.”

“Jonathan consistently brought new ideas, infectious energy and endless optimism to every room he entered. When he saw an opportunity to benefit his constituents, he seized it. When he saw a challenge to overcome, he worked with others to meet it. Over the years, Jonathan and I have remained close friends and colleagues. We should all learn from Jonathan leadership, compassion and true love for those around him,” Crowley continued. “My heart and prayers are with his wife, their children and the many Wisconsinites who also consider Jonathan what I did: a dear friend.”

Witkowski, elected to the Common Council in a 2003 special election, represented parts of the city’s south side for more than 15 years. He he came down from his position in 2019. He previously worked for the city for more than 30 years, including as safety director for the Milwaukee Safety Commission.

TMJ4 reports that Witkowski died a natural death.

Johnson expressed his condolences to Witkowski’s family and friends.

“Terry has spent much of his professional life serving the people of our city,” Johnson said in a statement. “As a longtime leader of the Milwaukee Safety Commission, he led a variety of efforts to protect our residents. Then, while serving on the Milwaukee Common Council, Terry was champion of his southern district. Every time I hear or see mention of the Garden District, I think of Terry’s work.”

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