Paul Farrow (born July 17, 1964) is an American businessman and Republican politician from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He is the county executive of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, since 2015. He previously served two years each in the Wisconsin Senate and State Assembly, and was chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin from August 2021 through December 2022.

Paul Farrow
County Executive of Waukesha County
Assumed office
April 21, 2015
Preceded byDaniel P. Vrakas
Chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party
In office
August 22, 2021 – December 10, 2022
Preceded byAndrew Hitt
Succeeded byBrian Schimming
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 33rd district
In office
December 14, 2012 – July 17, 2015
Preceded byRich Zipperer
Succeeded byChris Kapenga
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 98th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – December 14, 2012[1]
Preceded byRich Zipperer
Succeeded byAdam Neylon
Personal details
Born (1964-07-17) July 17, 1964 (age 60)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Amy A. Vaitl
(m. 1987)
Children2
Parents
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Waukesha
Waukesha County Technical College
Carroll University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

His mother, Margaret Farrow, was the first female lieutenant governor of Wisconsin.

Biography

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Paul Farrow was born with a twin brother on July 17, 1964, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[2] He was raised and educated in Milwaukee, graduating from Milwaukee's Marquette University High School in 1982. After attending the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee at Waukesha, Farrow transferred to Waukesha County Technical College and earned his associate's degree in 1987. He continued his education at Carroll University, and earned his bachelor's degree in 1991.[3]

He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010.[4][5] He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in December 2012 to fill the vacancy of Senator Rich Zipperer, who resigned to become Governor Scott Walker's Deputy Chief of Staff.[6][7][8]

He was elected to Senate leadership in his second term serving as the Assistant Majority Leader.[9] He is the owner of a home inspection business.[10][11][12]

 
Farrow greeting President Donald Trump in 2019

On April 7, 2015, he was elected Waukesha County County Executive.[13]

Personal life

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Paul Farrow is one of five sons born to John and Margaret Farrow. Margaret Farrow served 12 years in the Wisconsin Senate before being selected to serve as lieutenant governor in 2001. She was the first female lieutenant governor of Wisconsin.[14] Paul Farrow has a fraternal twin brother.[2]

Paul Farrow married Amy Vaitl in 1987.[15] They have two adult children and still reside in Pewaukee.[14]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Assembly (2010, 2012)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2010 Primary[4] Sep. 14 Paul Farrow Republican 7,394 60.09% Thomas Schellinger Rep. 4,901 39.83% 12,304 2,493
General[5] Nov. 2 Paul Farrow Republican 22,236 76.57% Victor Weers Dem. 6,788 23.37% 29,040 15,448
2012 General[6] Nov. 6 Paul Farrow (inc) Republican 22,665 70.42% Eric Prudent Dem. 9,503 29.52% 32,187 13,162

Wisconsin Senate (2012, 2014)

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Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2012
(special)
Special
Primary[6]
Nov. 6 Paul Farrow Republican 31,927 52.32% Chris Kapenga Rep. 29,027 47.57% 61,023 2,900
Special[7] Dec. 4 Paul Farrow Republican 6,909 98.07% --unopposed-- 7,045 6,773
2014 General[8] Nov. 4 Paul Farrow (inc) Republican 59,199 73.86% Sherryll Shaddock Dem. 20,899 26.07% 80,151 38,300

References

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  1. ^ https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/journals/assembly/20121227 [bare URL]
  2. ^ a b "Birth Announcements". Kenosha News. 21 July 1964. p. 7. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Senator Paul F. Farrow". Wisconsin Legislature. 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2010 Partisan Primary - 9/14/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. 27 September 2010. p. 69. Retrieved 12 October 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  5. ^ a b Canvass Results for 2010 General Election - 11/2/2010 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. 1 December 2010. p. 33. Retrieved 12 October 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  6. ^ a b c Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. 26 December 2012. pp. 32, 46. Retrieved 12 October 2024 – via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  7. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2013). "Elections" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2013–2014 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 892, 894, 907, 910. ISBN 978-0-9752820-6-9. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014" (PDF). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. 26 November 2014. p. 9. Retrieved 12 October 2024 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  9. ^ https://legis.wisconsin.gov/eupdates/Sen06/State%20Senate%20Member%20Directory.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  10. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2013-2014,' Biographical Sketch of Paul Farrow, pg. 84
  11. ^ Wisconsin State Legislature
  12. ^ Paul Farrow campaign website
  13. ^ 'Election 2015: Paul Farrow elected Waukesha County exec; Van De Water out as judge,' Milwaukee Sentinel Journal Dan Behm, April 7, 2015
  14. ^ a b "About Paul Farrow". Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Waukesha County Freeman". 15 August 1987. p. 22. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
Party political offices
Preceded by Chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party
2021–2022
Succeeded by
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 98th district
January 3, 2011 – December 14, 2012
Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 33rd district
December 14, 2012 – July 17, 2015
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by County Executive of Waukesha County, Wisconsin
April 21, 2015 – present
Incumbent