Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow dies at 61
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) - Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow has died at age 61 following a battle with cancer.
The announcement was shared by the county executive's office Wednesday, July 8. Farrow had been diagnosed in 2024, according to the release.
“I am heartbroken by the passing of County Executive Farrow. Paul was a devoted public servant, a steady leader, and a proud champion for Waukesha County," County Board Chairman Jim Heinrich said. "He led with conviction and cared deeply about this community. On behalf of the County Board, I extend our deepest condolences to his wife Amy and the Farrow family, his friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing him."
Farrow was elected county executive in 2015 and reelected in 2019 and 2023.
Those who worked closely with Farrow told CBS 58 that his legacy will leave a lasting impact in Waukesha County.
"Paul had an amazing energy, and it came through in absolutely everything that he did," said Shawn Lundie, who served as Farrow's chief of staff since his first term in 2015.
"He wasn't your average boss. I mean, he went out of his way to make sure that he had a conversation with every staff member he passed in the hallway," said Hillary Mintz, Farrow's press secretary.
Mintz said colleagues within the Waukesha County Administration Center will remember Farrow as a dedicated public servant.
"We couldn't get him to stop working. I mean, up until, really the very end, he was working," she said.
Lundie described Farrow as a guiding light through the darkest moments, remembering how he navigated the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and helped the community move through the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
"He had very personal conversations with those families and the people that were involved, but also the counties involved in emergency response," Lundie said.
Lundie called Farrow a fiscal steward who valued low taxes alongside a growing economy.
"He was integral in the creation of the Waukesha County Center for Growth, which brings jobs and businesses in Waukesha County, including a fund to help those businesses grow," Lundie added.
Before leading Waukesha County, Farrow served as Wisconsin State Senate assistant majority leader and as a state assemblyman.
His political career was inspired by his mother, Margaret Farrow, who was Wisconsin's first female lieutenant governor.
"I think Paul had an amazing role model in her, and he took her legacy and made it his own," Lundie said.
When Farrow was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2024, he chose to publicly share his journey.
"I'm still going to be at the desk; I'm still going to be working as hard as I can. My appearance may be changing a little bit, but the attitude won't," he said in a video message posted Sept. 11, 2024.
"Through the process, it actually helped him," Mintz said. "It became cathartic for him to share it, and it helped others as well."
Farrow's colleagues described him as a family man, saying his wife, Amy, his two sons and two grandsons kept him strong through his battle with cancer.
Tributes to Farrow poured in on social media Wednesday from the community and fellow political figures.
"Paul was a good, kind, and principled person who cared deeply about his community and our state. I'm grateful to have had so many opportunities to work together with him over the course of our careers in public service. He'll certainly be missed," Gov. Tony Evers posted.
"On behalf of the City of Waukesha, I offer my sincere condolences to the Farrow family and to all our colleagues at Waukesha County during this difficult time," Waukesha Mayor Alicia Halvensleben said. "County Executive Farrow devoted much of his life to serving our community with dedication and care. He was a respected leader whose contributions to Waukesha County will not be forgotten."
Heinrich will serve as acting county executive. Within 30 days, the county board will confirm the appointment of an interim executive. A special election will determine who serves the remainder of Farrow's term.