Dear Neighbors
My name is Darrin Madison, I was born and raised in Milwaukee, and I've lived in the 10th district for the past 15 years. I have worked to be a strong advocate for youth voice, education, climate change/sustainability, youth justice reform, and economic development.
I'm seeking to be re-elected this because the work we i began over 3 years ago when residents of the 10th district elected isn't over. I believe that government can be for a force for good. Additionally I have an expectation that our government serves as a mechanism for communities to thrive and the state legislature has not focused on that since 2009. I also believe that the solutions to the problems that are profoundly plaguing our communities are in the hands of those most affected by the issues. That is why I decided to fight for the change we all want in this state.
Our district deserves leadership that can align the interest of Glendale, Milwaukee, and Shorewood. The need for bold, progressive leadership that can uplift residents' concerns throughout the district through legislative action is paramount, and I will be that kind of leader.
- Darrin Madison
About Darrin
Early Organizing & Education
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Darrin’s leadership is rooted in a core belief: those who are directly impacted by our challenges are closest to the solutions Darrin began organizing at just 14 years old as an intern with the Urban Ecology Center, where he taught community members about environmentally sustainable practices. At 15, alongside fellow young organizers with Urban Underground, he helped launch Fresh P.L.A.I.T.S., an urban agriculture campaign encouraging residents to eat, buy, and grow organic produce. Through this work, Darrin developed a deep understanding of food systems, environmental injustice, and the interconnected harms created by our current economic system. In 2012 Madison began political organizing working to get David Bowen elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. He Later interned in Bowen's office working to draft and pass a Milwaukee County living wage ordinance. 2014 Darrin served as Deputy Campaign Manager for former Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen, helping elect bold, progressive leadership rooted in community power.
He graduated from Ronald Reagan IB High School in 2015 and attended Howard University, where he majored in Biology and minored in Political Science. While at Howard, he worked on political campaigns in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In 2016, he returned to Milwaukee to continue organizing, serving as Volunteer Coordinator at the Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside branch. There, he implemented a skills-based volunteer engagement model and partnered with the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office to launch the Eco-Neighborhoods Initiative, centering communities of color in sustainability efforts.
Organizing & Advocacy
In 2018, Darrin joined Youth Justice Milwaukee as an organizer, supporting efforts to close youth prisons in Wisconsin and replace them with community-based alternatives rooted in care and rehabilitation. He also worked with Opportunity Youth United, advocating for a $4.5 billion national investment in opportunity youth.He later served as Deputy Campaign Manager for former Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen, helping elect bold, progressive leadership rooted in community power. In 2021, Darrin ran for Milwaukee County Board in a special election, losing by just twelve votes, and continued organizing as the Democracy Organizer for the African American Roundtable.
In 2022, after consulting with community members and stakeholders, Darrin ran for and won election to represent the 10th Assembly District, running openly as a Democratic Socialist. Alongside Rep. Ryan Clancy, he became one of the first socialists elected to the Wisconsin Legislature since 1931. In 2025, the Socialist Caucus grew with the addition of Reps. Francesca Hong and Christian Phelps, strengthening the caucus’s ability to advance bold progressive legislation in Wisconsin.
2023 -2024 Legislative Session
Legislative Career 2023 - 2024
Darrin during his first term serving the Tenacious Tenth district in the 2023–2024 Legislative Session. focused heavily on the continuum, working to end abuse in our child welfare system and youth justice system, invest in our workforce starting with our youth, fight against our climate crisis, and fix issues with our criminal legal system. As a freshman legislator he also co-chaired the freshman legislative caucus and introduced over 52 pieces of original legisation as well as co-author 308 peieces of legislation.
During the 2023–2024 Legislative Session in the Wisconsin Assembly, Rep. Madison served on several key committees:
-
Committee on Children and Families
-
Committee on Corrections
-
Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety
-
Committee on Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity
He was also appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve a two-year term on the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council.
Legislative Career 2025 - 2026
Darrin is currently serving the Tenacious Tenth during the 2025–2026 Legislative Session. This session has been intense, with fights that have major implications for Wisconsin residents. Through it all, he has continued showing up, pushing colleagues to do better, and exploring every avenue to pass legislation supporting the people of the 10th Assembly District.
2025–2026 Committee Assignments
-
Committee on Corrections
-
Committee on Science, Technology, and AI — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
-
Committee on Urban Revitalization — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
-
Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
He was also appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve a second two-year term on the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council.
Fellowships & Awards
Rep. Madison’s legislative work and commitment to equity have earned him recognition for leadership in youth, justice, and environmental policy, including:Environmental Pioneer Award (2023) from African American Environmental LeadersRising Environmental Leader Award (2024) from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL)
Across every role — organizer, coalition builder, and legislator — Darrin Madison leads with clarity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the people he represents, fighting for a Wisconsin where care, justice, and opportunity are guarantees, not privileges.
-
Urban Underground — Leader of the Year (2012)
-
Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee — Emerging Leader Award (2019)
-
National Youth Alliance for Boys and Men of Color — Fellow (2019)
-
Fair Fight Action — Fair Fight Fellow (2023)
-
African American Environmental Leaders — Environmental Pioneer Award (2023)
-
National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) — Rising Environmental Leader Award (2024)
About Darrin
Early Organizing & Education
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Darrin’s leadership is rooted in a core belief: those who are directly impacted by our challenges are closest to the solutions Darrin began organizing at just 14 years old as an intern with the Urban Ecology Center, where he taught community members about environmentally sustainable practices. At 15, alongside fellow young organizers with Urban Underground, he helped launch Fresh P.L.A.I.T.S., an urban agriculture campaign encouraging residents to eat, buy, and grow organic produce. Through this work, Darrin developed a deep understanding of food systems, environmental injustice, and the interconnected harms created by our current economic system. In 2012 Madison began political organizing working to get David Bowen elected to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. He Later interned in Bowen's office working to draft and pass a Milwaukee County living wage ordinance. 2014 Darrin served as Deputy Campaign Manager for former Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen, helping elect bold, progressive leadership rooted in community power.
He graduated from Ronald Reagan IB High School in 2015 and attended Howard University, where he majored in Biology and minored in Political Science. While at Howard, he worked on political campaigns in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. In 2016, he returned to Milwaukee to continue organizing, serving as Volunteer Coordinator at the Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside branch. There, he implemented a skills-based volunteer engagement model and partnered with the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office to launch the Eco-Neighborhoods Initiative, centering communities of color in sustainability efforts.
Organizing & Advocacy
In 2018, Darrin joined Youth Justice Milwaukee as an organizer, supporting efforts to close youth prisons in Wisconsin and replace them with community-based alternatives rooted in care and rehabilitation. He also worked with Opportunity Youth United, advocating for a $4.5 billion national investment in opportunity youth.He later served as Deputy Campaign Manager for former Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen, helping elect bold, progressive leadership rooted in community power. In 2021, Darrin ran for Milwaukee County Board in a special election, losing by just twelve votes, and continued organizing as the Democracy Organizer for the African American Roundtable.
In 2022, after consulting with community members and stakeholders, Darrin ran for and won election to represent the 10th Assembly District, running openly as a Democratic Socialist. Alongside Rep. Ryan Clancy, he became one of the first socialists elected to the Wisconsin Legislature since 1931. In 2025, the Socialist Caucus grew with the addition of Reps. Francesca Hong and Christian Phelps, strengthening the caucus’s ability to advance bold progressive legislation in Wisconsin.
2023 -2024 Legislative Session
Legislative Career 2023 - 2024
Darrin during his first term serving the Tenacious Tenth district in the 2023–2024 Legislative Session. focused heavily on the continuum, working to end abuse in our child welfare system and youth justice system, invest in our workforce starting with our youth, fight against our climate crisis, and fix issues with our criminal legal system. As a freshman legislator he also co-chaired the freshman legislative caucus and introduced over 52 pieces of original legisation as well as co-author 308 peieces of legislation.
During the 2023–2024 Legislative Session in the Wisconsin Assembly, Rep. Madison served on several key committees:
-
Committee on Children and Families
-
Committee on Corrections
-
Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety
-
Committee on Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity
He was also appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve a two-year term on the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council.
Legislative Career 2025 - 2026
Darrin is currently serving the Tenacious Tenth during the 2025–2026 Legislative Session. This session has been intense, with fights that have major implications for Wisconsin residents. Through it all, he has continued showing up, pushing colleagues to do better, and exploring every avenue to pass legislation supporting the people of the 10th Assembly District.
2025–2026 Committee Assignments
-
Committee on Corrections
-
Committee on Science, Technology, and AI — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
-
Committee on Urban Revitalization — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
-
Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology — Ranking Democrat Caucus Member
He was also appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve a second two-year term on the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council.
Fellowships & Awards
Rep. Madison’s legislative work and commitment to equity have earned him recognition for leadership in youth, justice, and environmental policy, including:Environmental Pioneer Award (2023) from African American Environmental LeadersRising Environmental Leader Award (2024) from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL)
Across every role — organizer, coalition builder, and legislator — Darrin Madison leads with clarity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the people he represents, fighting for a Wisconsin where care, justice, and opportunity are guarantees, not privileges.
-
Urban Underground — Leader of the Year (2012)
-
Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee — Emerging Leader Award (2019)
-
National Youth Alliance for Boys and Men of Color — Fellow (2019)
-
Fair Fight Action — Fair Fight Fellow (2023)
-
African American Environmental Leaders — Environmental Pioneer Award (2023)
-
National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) — Rising Environmental Leader Award (2024)