My work in Fitchburg and greater Madison has centered collaboration and equity, bringing all voices to the table to inform governmental decision making. I am excited to take these values to the State Capitol.
JOE VALUES
EQUITY
TRANSPARENCY
ACCESS
COLLABORATION
A life long Wisconsite
A first-generation college graduate
A father of two
A community builder and youth worker
A public servant
An engaged volunteer and community member
An activist
PULL UP A SEAT WITH JOE
A Lifelong Wisconsinite, born and raised in Milwaukee, 22 years in Madison and Fitchburg
A first-generation college
graduate of UW-Madison,with
a working class background
A father of two, aged 8 and 18,
in theVerona Area School District
A community builder and youth worker with 20 years of experience in nonprofit, higher education, and grant making
A public servant, serving on the
Fitchburg Common Council since 2020, Madison College Board Trustee 2023-2024
An engaged volunteer and community member, serving on the Verona School District Superintendent's Advisory Committee
An activist that raised and distributed $100,000 for Hurricane Maria disaster relief in Puerto Rico
Collaborative Progressive
Relentless Change Agent
Community Builder
Fighting For a Community That Serves All of Us
MEET JOE MALDONADO
Joe was born and raised in Wisconsin by a nurturing working class family, where his father was a union worker, his mother worked at an insurance company, and his grandmother was a head start teacher.
After his grandparents immigrated from Puerto Rico, they settled in Milwaukee, where he saw first hand the effects of a highly segregated city. However, thanks to the support and guidance of his community, he was fortunate to participate in college access programs that exposed him to new friends and experiences.
He became the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, earning two degrees from UW-Madison. Being actively involved on campus gave him the opportunity to meet people from across the state and beyond, experience the ‘practice’ of democracy in action, and taught him the value and importance of bringing people to the table.
A Community For All
As a lifelong Wisconsinite, father, and proud community member - Joe supports policies that ensure Wisconsin families get a good education, live in affordable, safe homes, have high-quality, family-supporting jobs, and can get
the healthcare they need.
Inclusive Care For Everyone
Joe is fighting for policies that ensure historically underrepresented groups have what they need, like ensuring everyone eligible is able to drive, members of the LGBTQIA community and women receive appropriate healthcare, and that everyone can vote in our elections.
COMMUNITY BUILDER
Joe is an active volunteer, leveraging his strengths to give in the ways that are most responsive to expressed community needs. He currently serves as a member of the Verona Area School District Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee. He previously served as a Board Trustee of Madison Area Technical College (2023-24), Verona Area School District Attendance Areas Advisory Committee (2018-2019), Puerto Rico Relief Fund of South Central Wisconsin (2017-2018), raising and distributing almost $100,000 in aid to victims of Hurricane Maria.
As a supporter of Luna’ s Groceries, he served as lead planner for the annual community block party, toy drive, and youth culinary educational programming. He serves as a public speaker and workshop presenter; having led numerous one-time and ongoing educational opportunities for youth and young adults around college access, leadership, values, and career pathways. In Fitchburg, he has hosted numerous voter drives, bike repair workshops, COVID testing and vaccine workshops, Community Block Parties, and educational forums.
Moving Wisconsin Forward
Joe supports policies that center communities and create prosperity and wellbeing like reinstating local control over public transportation, investing in state parks, expanding out of school programming, and properly funding higher education.
