Meet Your County Executive

About Paul Farrow

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.

Throughout his public service career, Paul Farrow has focused on building partnerships in order to grow businesses, bolster existing workforce development infrastructure, and reduce the tax burden on residents. As County Executive, his goal is to make Waukesha County a regional leader in job growth, business expansion and capital investment.

Representation & Advocacy
Paul Farrow actively champions Waukesha County’s interests on regional, state, and national boards, committees, and summits, shaping policies that benefit public and private partners.

COVID-19 Response

Farrow established a Unified Command structure to efficiently manage the County’s emergency and economic response. He also created an Economic Recovery and Impact Team to support local businesses by providing access to data, CARES Act funds, GROW funds, and employment opportunities.

Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis

In August 2022, County Executive Farrow declared fentanyl a community health crisis amidst rising overdose deaths. He directed the implementation of the US DEA’s "One Pill Can Kill Campaign" and set up a plan with measurable objectives, including quarterly reporting to the County Executive’s Office.

Governance & Fiscal Responsibility

Farrow closely collaborates with all county departments and the County Board of Supervisors to ensure high-quality service delivery. He maintains a balanced budget annually while prioritizing public safety and successfully reduced the county tax rate each year for over a decade.

County Executive Background

Regional Economic Development Roles

Mr. Farrow co-chairs the M7 Economic Development Partnership, providing strategic direction for regional economic growth. M7’s efforts have attracted businesses like HARIBO, Milwaukee Tool, and Colbert Packaging to Southeast Wisconsin.

Early in his tenure, he founded the Waukesha County Center for Growth, a one-stop shop for new and expanding businesses in the county, by uniting private and public sector partners.

Wisconsin Political Roles

Paul Farrow was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010 and the State Senate in 2012, becoming Assistant Majority Leader in 2014.

He served as the State Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin (2021-2022) and was on the Waukesha County GOP executive committee (2001-2009).

Elected Waukesha County Executive in 2015, he was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.

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

Before his political career, Paul Farrow ran small businesses in the home service industry, worked as an adjunct facilitator in experiential consulting, and developed a marketing program for a home inspection training company.

Continuing a family legacy, his mother, Margaret Farrow, was Wisconsin's first female Lieutenant Governor and served at all government levels, including as Elm Grove village president.

Paul lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin with his wife, Amy; they have two adult sons and one grandchild.

Additional Information & Services

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Strategic Planning

Moor Downs Property

About the Office of the County Executive

Meet the Staff

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Legal Notices

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County Newsletter

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County Executive Office

Waukesha County Administrative Office
515 W. Moreland Blvd. Rm 320
Waukesha, MI 53188
email: countyexec@waukeshacounty.gov | tel: 262-548-7902
Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm