Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball is running for reelection

Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball announced that she will be running for a second full term. 

“Milwaukee County is my home, and keeping it safe is my top priority. I’ve spent decades earning the trust of this community, and I’m running to keep building on the progress we’ve made together,” Ball said in a statement. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done, but I know there is still more to do. In my second term, I will focus on continuing to keep our community safe, fully staffing the Sheriff’s office, and improving wellness for our staff and occupants and programming for those in our care and custody.”

Ball was appointed sheriff by Gov. Tony Evers following the resignation of Earnell Lucas in October 2022. She went on to win a full term the next month. She is the first woman elected sheriff in Milwaukee County and the first Black woman elected sheriff in Wisconsin. 

Ball previously served 25 years with the Milwaukee Police Department. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the DHS Leadership Academy and Northwestern’s School of Police Staff and Command.

Under her watch, a number of prominent cases unfolded at the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, including the murder and dismemberment of Sade Robinson and the break up of a multi-state car theft ring in 2023.

Ball also eliminated mandatory overtime for deputies that handle security at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, providing a better work-life balance. She created a parks safety initiative to revamp and revitalize the park unit, leading to a decrease in major or violent crimes, according to the sheriff’s office. Lastly, she requested an audit of the Milwaukee County Jail, a site of many in-custody deaths in recent years. 

“Milwaukee County deserves a Sheriff who is experienced, accountable, and deeply rooted in this community — and that is exactly what Denita Ball delivers every single day,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “Her years of service and unwavering commitment to keeping Milwaukee County safe are why I am proud to endorse her. I hope voters across Milwaukee County will join me in voting for her this fall.”

“Sheriff Ball and I share the same mission: a safer, stronger Milwaukee,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “She brings both the experience and the community relationships this office demands, and she has delivered. As Mayor, I’ve seen firsthand what principled, professional leadership looks like. Sheriff Denita Ball is it. She has my full support.”

The Democratic primary for sheriff is on Aug. 11. As of April 14, no other candidates have filed to run in the race, according to the Milwaukee County Election Commission. The general election will take place Nov. 3.