Diana and Jonathan Brostoff. Photo by Michael Horne.

The city of Milwaukee lost one of its most passionate advocates on Monday.

City of Milwaukee City Council Jonathan BrostoffThe 41-year-old was found dead.

Brostoff has represented the city's third district since 2022. He previously served as a Democratic representative in the Wisconsin State Legislature from 2015 to 2022.

He leaves a legacy of public service with a strong commitment to helping those he served. His most famous achievement during his term as an MP was clearly visible to those who saw him. He had promised the disability rights community not to get his hair cut until a bill he sponsored that would increase the availability of American Sign Language interpreters was passed. From February 2018 to July 2019, he went without a haircut while his normally clean-shaven style transitioned to an Afro-like haircut.

Brostoff's relatively short tenure on the council was marked by an active focus on safe streets and sustainable development. He quickly rose to become chairman of the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee. During his swearing-in ceremony in November 2022, he vowed to serve as a “honey badger” and bring tenacity to his work at City Hall, a promise he made good on.

He leaves behind his wife, Diana Vang Brostoffand four children. His parents are also residents of Milwaukee.

“As colleagues and as friends, we are deeply saddened by the death of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff,” the council said in a statement. “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 have served with him in office and we will miss him. Out of respect for his family, we would ask that they be given the privacy and time to grieve that they certainly deserve.”

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

Even after winning elected office, Brostoff continued to volunteer with the Pathfinders youth shelter program. He is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a degree in political science.

Brostoff embodied the author Malcolm Gladwellis the idea of ​​a “connection”. He was a person that everyone in Milwaukee politics seemed to know. Part of this may be that he has served as an adviser in many political offices in the past, his work with his longtime friend Sen. Chris Larson He started Dem Team about a decade ago and is open to performing at so many public events.

He was an active player in pickup basketball, and everyone who played against him, including this author, was familiar with his dogged determination to build a full press and how he gave his team a few extra points per game despite his size.

Brostoff was also an active player of the card game Magic: The Gathering and helped organize a conference called CubeCon.

To fill his seat, a special election must be called.