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

Milwaukee Common Council Ald. Jonathan Brostoff and former Ald. According to sources, Terry Witkowski has died a Monday edition from the Milwaukee Mayor’s office.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said in a statement that he is “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. Prior to the Common Council, Brostoff served in the State Assembly for eight years after first being elected in 2014.

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

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday, according to data from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office shared with the mayor’s office. Investigations are underway to determine whether it was a suicide.

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

“Jonathan’s passing is a tragedy for all who knew him and for many whose lives have been improved by his service and advocacy. As a legislator, Jonathan was always willing to look for the good in others, always working seriously to bridge divisions and bring together people with different backgrounds and perspectives,” Evers said. He noted Brostoff’s work supporting the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing community, his advocacy to increase local government funding and expand access to mental health care, and said Brostoff was “fully committed” to work and “was ruthless in his work.” pursuing the change he believed in.”

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

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

“Jonathan was a loving father and husband, and he 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 in this capacity, and he will be missed,” said members of the Common Council a joint statement.

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

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

“Our friendship dates back to our days of community organizing, where we discovered our shared passion for improving Milwaukee County. From there, Jonathan and I worked our way up and eventually served together in the Wisconsin State Legislature,” said Crowley, who served in the Legislature from 2017 through 2020. “Every day we walked the halls of the State Capitol to support working families, build healthier communities and advance a better future for our children. After our time in Madison, Jonathan was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, where he continued to serve 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 took it. When he saw a challenge he needed to overcome, he worked with others to tackle it. Over the years, Jonathan and I have remained good friends and colleagues. We must all learn from Jonathan’s leadership, compassion and genuine love for those around him,” Crowley continued. “My heart and prayers are with his wife, their children and the many Wisconsinites who also regard Jonathan as what I did: a dear friend.”

Witkowski, who was elected to the Common Council in a special election in 2003, represented part of the city’s south side for more than 15 years. He got off from that position in 2019. Previously, he worked for the city for more than 30 years, including as safety director of the Milwaukee Safety Commission.

TMJ4 reports that Witkowski died of natural causes.

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

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

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.