Milwaukee County Treasurer David Cullen to seek re-election, will face challenger Ted Chisholm

Milwaukee County is set to have another competitive race in 2024 after the incumbent county Treasurer David Cullen announced he would run against challenger Ted Chisholm.

The partisan election is Nov. 5, but an Aug. 13 primary on the Democratic side would determine a race between Cullen and Chisholm and any other Democrats who could enter the race to advance to the Nov. 5 election. No Republicans have announced a candidacy.

Last month, Chisholm, 25, announced his run for treasurer shortly after his father, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, announced he would not seek re-election to his office.

Cullen, 63, who has served as treasurer since 2014, previously served as a Democratic state legislator. He also was a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and was tapped as the co-chair of the county's finance, personnel and audit committee.

“It is important that we have someone who is experienced in financial matters and educated on investment policies making these decisions. This is taxpayer money that must be invested wisely and prudently,”Cullen said, who had criticized Chisholm for his lack of experience and credentials, including his lack of a college degree.

Chisholm has worked as a senior administrator for management, finance and strategy in the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office. He recently left the office in order to campaign for treasurer.

Cullen is a lifelong Milwaukee resident, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Marquette University Law School.

Under his leadership, the county's investment earnings exceeded $27 million last year, according to Cullen's press release.

Editor's note: An earlier posted version of this story contained an incorrect amount for the county's investment earnings.

Contact Vanessa Swales at 414-308-5881 or at [email protected]. Follow her on X @Vanessa_Swales.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Treasurer David Cullen faces challenger Ted Chisholm