Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow serves residents by focusing on the issues they say are most important: public safety, economic development, and low taxes. He does this by keeping government small and fostering local and regional partnerships to ensure quality services are delivered to residents at a low cost.
Farrow gives Waukesha County a voice on regional, state and national and issues through participation on many boards, committees, and summits that provide guidance, strategy, and policy to public and private partners.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive Farrow adopted a Unified Command structure to manage a complex emergency and economic response. Beginning in early 2020, Waukesha County also formed an Economic Recovery and Impact Team to help effectively respond to COVID-19 issues impacting businesses, to help them access data, CARES Act funds, and local GROW funds; as well as connect workers with jobs.
In August 2022, Farrow declared fentanyl a community health crisis. This was a direct result of a significant increase in drug overdose deaths in Waukesha County associated with fentanyl since 2016. The fentanyl and opioid crisis reached such magnitude that decisive action was necessary to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all Waukesha County Residents.
Farrow directed the head of the County's Health and Human Services Division to implement the US Drug Enforcement Agency's "One Pill Can Kill Campaign." The County Executive also ordered the development of a plan to deliver measureable objectives to track the County's efforts in the fight against fentanyl and report results to the County Executive's Office on a quarterly basis.
Regional Economic Development Roles
Mr. Farrow is a Co-Chair of the M7-the regional Economic Development Partnership. In this role, he provides strategic direction for international economic development in the region. The M7 has leveraged regional partnerships to bring business such as HARIBO, Milwaukee Tool, and Colbert Packaging to Southeast Wisconsin.
Shortly after becoming County Executive, he led a group of private and public sector partners in establishing the Waukesha County Center for Growth, an economic development organization that serves as a one-stop shop for new and expanding businesses in Waukesha County.
Wisconsin Political Roles
County Executive Farrow served as the State Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin from 2021-2022. He served on the Republican Party of Waukesha County executive committee from 2001-2009.
Farrow was elected as Waukesha County Executive in 2015, re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
Paul Farrow was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010 and to the Wisconsin State Senate in December 2012. He was elected Assistant Majority Leader in the Senate in 2014.
Federal Policy Advisory Participation
In 2018, Farrow was appointed to the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC), which advises the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy matters that impact state and local governments.
Mr. Farrow also served as a contributing member for two of the White House’s 2017 Infrastructure Summits in Washington, D.C., along with other state and local officials from across the country.
Outside of Public Office
Prior to elected office Farrow ran multiple small businesses in the home service industry. He was an adjunct facilitator in an experiential based consulting company and developed the marketing program for a home inspection training company.
Farrow continues a family legacy of political action. His mother, Margaret Farrow, was first woman to hold the Lieutenant Governorship in the state; she served in all levels of government from local boards, to being named the first female village president of her community. She served in both houses of the state legislature as well.
Paul Farrow lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin with his wife, Amy; they have two adult sons and a grandchild.
