Chris Abele is the Milwaukee County Executive. He was first elected in a special election in 2011, and re-elected in 2012 and 2016. He did not seek re-election in 2020.
Official Biography
Elected with an overwhelming 61% of the vote in a special election Chris Abele became Milwaukee County Executive on April 4, 2011. After serving one year, he ran unopposed and was re-elected to a full four year term April 3, 2012. As County Executive, Chris is focused on providing important, effective and efficient services to residents, disciplined decision-making, and making the county more sustainable. He is also focused on bringing civility back to politics. Chris wants to use his position to remind people political labels are not as important as getting things done. He’s proud to work with Democrats and Republicans on numerous issues.
Prior to his election, Chris served for seven years as CEO of the Milwaukee-based Argosy Foundation, where he remains a trustee. The foundation aims to support leaders and organizations that employ creative and entrepreneurial approaches to solving systemic problems. He’s also a highly successful business owner. He founded a successful hospital services business the he sold in 2012 and he still runs a flourishing real estate company, which owns commercial property in Wisconsin, New York and Maine.
Chris is a dedicated personal philanthropist. His philanthropic work has been primarily in arts, education and human rights. Over the past 15 years, his volunteer work has included serving on 31 local, national and international non-profit boards. He currently serves on boards at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Schools that Can, and the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University. Chris is also an active fundraiser, chairing and co-chairing campaigns that raised more than $150 million. He has received numerous awards for his effective leadership and speaks regularly on leadership, philanthropy and nonprofit best practices.
County Executive Abele is proud to live in Milwaukee with his wife Miriam and their two young daughters, Lauren and Katherine.
Content referencing Chris Abele - Page 2
Board Passes Racial Equity Proposal
A response to calls for police reform aimed at courts, sheriff's office, transit system.
Jun 29th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Oriental Theatre Closed for Summer, Plans Renovations
Milwaukee Film continuing plan to fully restore 1927 movie palace.
Jun 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County Executive College Dropouts
For 20 years voters have elected college dropouts to run Milwaukee County. What gives?
May 19th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
COVID-19 Could Cost County $450 Million
Milwaukee County being squeezed by increased costs, declining revenue.
May 15th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Crowley Sworn In As County Exec
First elected African-American Milwaukee County Executive in history seeks more equity, more state funding.
May 4th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
The State’s Top 25 Fat Cats
Diane Hendricks and Lynde Uihlein lead the list of top political donors over last 25 years.
May 3rd, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Racial Equity Ordinance Signed Into Law
First major piece of legislation addressing racial inequity since Milwaukee County declared racism a public health crisis.
Apr 30th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Domestic Violence Surging In Milwaukee
Reports up 28% in April. Officials urge those in unsafe homes to turn to community resources for help.
Apr 29th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
27 COVID-19 Cases at House of Correction, All Inmates To Be Tested
Milwaukee County launches public dashboard tracking COVID-19 cases in three detention facilities.
Apr 17th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Area Receives $62 Million in COVID-19 Mass Transit Aid
MCTS will receive over $50 million from allocation
Apr 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County COVID-19 Expenses Are Rising
Already in the millions. County may need to levy property taxes above the state-imposed limit.
Apr 14th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Will “Safer at Home” Be Policed Fairly?
Some areas most impacted by COVID-19 have also been victims of excessive policing.
Apr 14th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Larson Concedes to Crowley in Tight Race
Crowley will be first African American Milwaukee County Executive elected in history.
Apr 14th, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
21 Winners and Losers
Beyond the candidates, what was the election about, who were the other winners and losers?
Apr 14th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee County Hospitals Increase Capacity
50 percent more hospital beds, double ICU beds as hospitals convert spaces to prepare for the worst.
Apr 9th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
City Calls for USPS Investigation Into Missing Ballots
Tubs of ballots are showing up across Wisconsin that didn't get mailed to voters.
Apr 8th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
House of Correction Has 7 COVID-19 Cases
The first confirmed case was announced Friday. Six more inmates being tested.
Apr 8th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
No Election Results Until April 13th
Results won't be reported until next week, to allow time for all absentee ballots to arrive.
Apr 7th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Buses Limited to 10 Riders
Starting Thursday a limit of 10 passengers on county buses to prevent spread of COVID-19.
Apr 7th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Supreme Court Reinstates Election, Overrules Evers
April 7th in-person election will occur as scheduled says court.
Apr 6th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayoral Candidate Sues To Delay Election
Lena Taylor's suit alleges African Americans disenfranchised by city's changes to early voting.
Apr 4th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
House of Correction Has Confirmed COVID-19 Case
One inmate has confirmed case, several others showing symptoms. Nurse that works at jail also tests positive.
Apr 3rd, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Will Have Only Five In-Person Voting Sites
As city is short over 1,000 poll workers, polling sites reduced from 180 to 5.
Apr 3rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
State Fair Park Selected for Overflow Care Facility
Exposition Center will house extra hospital beds. Local leaders requesting state and federal government act quickly.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Absentee Ballot Deadlines Extended, Election Not Delayed by Federal Judge
Ballots must now be received by April 13th at 4 p.m., a six day delay.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
1,730 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, 869 in Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County reports 20 deaths from disease, 17 were African Americans.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Vote Absentee, Local Officials Plead
Barrett, Abele warn that crowds at polling centers represent a threat to public health.
Apr 1st, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Prepares for COVID-19 Surge
More hospital capacity, ventilators, protective equipment needed for coming onslaught.
Mar 31st, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
City Forecasts Election Results Two Days Late
180 polling sites to become no more than 12 because so few poll workers available.
Mar 31st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Shadowy Groups Got $4.8 Million in 2019
Abele was top contributor to unregulated 527 groups that often smear candidates.
Mar 30th, 2020 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Milwaukee County Executive
Crowley and Larson vie for the top executive position in Milwaukee County.
Mar 29th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Over 1,000 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin
State reports over 2,000 tests processed in one day for the first time.
Mar 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race
Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.
Mar 28th, 2020 by Michael Horne
Free Bus Rides Start Saturday
Riders can use rear door eliminating interaction between drivers and passengers.
Mar 27th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Metro Area Ranks 6th Nationally for COVID-19 Case Rate
Four-county area has more cases per 100,000 residents than Chicago and San Francisco.
Mar 26th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Will Legislature Delay Election?
Life-and-death issue poses the most danger for Milwaukee. Only the Legislature can act.
Mar 25th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
County Supervisors Push Free Bus Rides
Passengers could use side door, away from bus drivers, to protect them from getting virus.
Mar 24th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Driver Tests Positive for COVID-19
Transit union calls for personal protective equipment for operators. MCTS says drivers protected by shield.
Mar 20th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
155 COVID-19 Cases in Wisconsin, 50% More Counties Affected
One-day increase exceeds Thursday's total number of cases.
Mar 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
COVID-19 Testing Supplies Running Low
State and local officials prioritizing tests for worst cases, so results understate spread of disease.
Mar 18th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
40 COVID-19 Cases in Milwaukee County
Up 67% since yesterday. Abele favors moving back the spring election.
Mar 17th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Bars, Restaurants Ordered to Close
Milwaukee and 10 suburbs order no in-house service. Carryouts and delivery only.
Mar 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Officials Ask Public to Stay Home, As Much as Possible
As cases of COVID-19 grow in Milwaukee County and the state, preventive measures now will save lives in the future.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Leaders Plead for 1% Sales Tax
Stark statistics presented at legislative hearing. But some GOP lawmakers unmoved.
Mar 16th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Milwaukee Preparing for COVID-19 Outbreak
Local officials, healthcare providers are discussing, readying the city's capacity to treat those infected by Coronavirus.
Mar 13th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
How Can Transit Connect To Jobs?
New bus route to Amazon at county's far end or night buses to jobs in more urban areas?
Mar 11th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
County Sales Tax Legislation Gets Hearing
Bill supported by local business leaders allows hike in county sales tax for local purposes.
Mar 5th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Federal Grant Funds New Opioid Program
County has state's highest rates of deaths and hospital visits related to opioid addiction.
Mar 4th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Board Seeks Unified Approach to Services
County approves One Milwaukee Task Force, aims to unify county, city and MPS services for high need neighborhoods.
Mar 2nd, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
UWM Gets Okay to Partially Demolish Columbia Hospital
Plus: Council could delay convention center expansion, MSOE expanding nursing facilities.
Mar 1st, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Shooting at Molson Coors Left 6 Dead, Including Gunman
Law enforcement and elected officials lament the tragedy.
Feb 27th, 2020 by WPR Staff
Airport Wins $600,000 Federal Grant
Grant will be used to rehabilitate a runway at Mitchell International.
Feb 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
14 Election Winners, Losers
Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?
Feb 19th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
9 Election Takeaways
What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.
Feb 19th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County Executive Candidates
Crowley, Larson, Lipscomb and Nath vie to advance to general election, replace Chris Abele.
Feb 17th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Bus Rapid Transit Faces Delays, Higher Costs
Trump administration mismanagement of grant program costing county time and money.
Feb 12th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Crowley Rising in County Exec Race
He and Chris Larson look likely to make it through the February primary.
Feb 11th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
27 Apartments Planned Near Marquette
Plus: MU plans new business school, Rivecca brothers buy out disgraced Ganos, Abele gives $300,000 to new project.
Feb 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County Exec Candidates Discuss Fiscal Crisis
Lipscomb, Larson, Crowley and Nath present their vision for addressing Milwaukee County's fiscal challenges.
Jan 30th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Plan Will Build City’s Largest Solar Array
City, We Energies partner on eight-acre solar farm, enough electricity to power 400 homes.
Jan 23rd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
County Exec Race Upended
State Election Commission disqualifies Kennedy and Sullivan. Abele's $6,000 donation wasted?
Jan 21st, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Airport Will Help Art Museum Grow
Partnership will help connect tourists to Milwaukee Art Museum shows.
Jan 13th, 2020 by Catherine Jozwik
Seven Will Run for County Executive
Gwen Moore endorses Lipscomb, Crowley has raised $53,000, no word from Abele.
Jan 7th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Most Popular Plenty of Horne Columns
Scott Walker, Chris Abele, John Norquist and Rudy Guiliani all made the list.
Dec 31st, 2019 by Michael Horne
Jim Sullivan Will Run For County Executive
County administrator and former legislator emphasizes need for sound management.
Dec 11th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Wilson Park Homeless Warming Center Debated
Public meeting gets unruly on proposal to let homeless sleep overnight in senior center.
Dec 9th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Six Now Running for County Executive
Democrat Chris Larson and Trump supporter Purnima Nath join four other candidates.
Nov 22nd, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Fox Point Trustee to Run for County Board
"Relatively frugal" liberal Democrat Liz Sumner to run for seat Lipscomb is vacating.
Nov 19th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Why the Bus Union Didn’t Strike
MCTS offer of back pay for workers, and weariness after 21 months bargaining, were key.
Nov 19th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
All Quiet on the Budget Front
Board passes 2020 budget with no clashes with Abele and small change in spending.
Nov 13th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Poll Shows Barrett Way Ahead
Zielinski, Taylor do poorly and more voters favor streetcar.
Nov 12th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Lipscomb Will Run for County Exec
County Board chair says troubled finances must be focus of next county executive.
Nov 12th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Thursday Transit Strike Averted
Transit union will vote on contract offer from MCTS.
Nov 7th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Revised Budget Saves More Transit
Board scrapes the barrel for funds to save bus routes, prevent various service cuts.
Nov 1st, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Board Adds Domes Funding to Budget
Abele's budget had no funding. Board members embrace consultant's $60 million domes plan
Oct 29th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Barrett, Moore to Lead Growing DNC Team
19 honorary chairs round out Milwaukee 2020 leadership.
Oct 25th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Could Federal Grant Revive the Jobline?
Supervisors eager to recreate the shuttered bus service push to use federal grant.
Oct 23rd, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Who Will Run for County Executive?
The list is long and could get longer. Handicapping the favorites.
Oct 22nd, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Milwaukee County Needs a Bold Vision
Creative leadership could save money, pay for more services.
Oct 21st, 2019 by State Rep. Daniel Riemer
Chris Abele Won’t Seek Reelection
County executive reverses course in surprise announcement, won't run for reelection.
Oct 16th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
County Plans to Expand South Shore Beer Garden
County announces plans to spend $50,000 to plan and design beer garden expansion.
Oct 2nd, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Abele’s Budget Sees Cuts, and New Programs
Proposed budget closes two pools and cuts bus routes, but boosts the Sheriff's department
Oct 1st, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
County Ends Vendor’s Contract Due to Actions at Border
Southwest Key's immigrant detention centers for unaccompanied minors cause termination.
Sep 27th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Bauman Wants 1.5 Percent Sales Tax
Additional funding would be dedicated to transit service, end what the alderman calls a "death spiral"
Sep 26th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Airport Getting a Commercial ‘Refresh’
Cousins Subs and Starbucks open new locations at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Sep 24th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Transit Union Stages Rally
Calls for contract to include to backpay and driver security measures, and for the restoration of bus routes.
Sep 22nd, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
“Moving Milwaukee Forward” Bill Introduced
Goyke, Johnson push bill allowing local voters to approve 1% county sales tax.
Sep 20th, 2019 by Isiah Holmes
Transit Cuts Reduced By Abele
After questions raised, his revised 2020 budget finds more revenue for bus system.
Sep 19th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Supervisors Question Couture Project
Staskunas says county should consider other options, doubts 44-story tower will happen.
Sep 11th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
How New York Handles Juvenile Justice
"Close to Home" program could provide model for Wisconsin. First in a series.
Sep 10th, 2019 by Allison Dikanovic
Tax Hike Would Give City $50 Million Per Year
Barrett says proposed 1% sales tax hike would fund police, fire, streets, property tax relief.
Sep 9th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Unique Coalition Seeks Sales Tax Hike
County officials, all 19 municipalities, business leaders back plan to net $160 million per year.
Sep 9th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Bus Union Authorizes a Strike
The union votes no on MCTS' final contract offer, gives leadership power to call strike.
Sep 6th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Lena Taylor Announces Run for Mayor
"We need leadership and an office that is not corrupt," she declares.
Sep 3rd, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Abele Urges Bus Drivers to Settle Contract
Union and county transit system have been in contract fight for 18 months.
Aug 30th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Should Barrett Worry About Reelection?
Another easy win seems certain. Which may not be so good for Milwaukee.
Aug 29th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Liberal 527 Groups Crush GOP Groups
State’s pro-Democratic special interest groups raised 5 times more than pro-GOP groups in first half of 2019.
Aug 25th, 2019 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Airport Requests $25.5 Million for Upgrade
Expanded international terminal could draw more flights, passengers.
Aug 23rd, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Public Museum Could Lose Accreditation
MPM asking county for funding to fix leaky roof, air conditioning system.
Aug 22nd, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Public Shocked by ‘For Sale’ Signs in County Parks
Parks group uses "For Sale" signs to raise awareness and support for parks funding.
Aug 6th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
