Sean
O'Brien
Get to Know
A Lifelong Madisonian
Alder Sean O'Brien was raised on the east side of Madison. He attended our city's public schools, graduated from Edgewood University, and bought his first home in the Richmond Hill Neighborhood.
Sean is a lifelong Madisonian. He attended Lapham, Marquette, O’Keffe, and East High School before graduating from Edgewood University in 2020. He had his first job as a dishwasher at the Chocolaterian Cafe bought his first home right here in District 16.
Sean is the son of a lifelong educator and a construction worker. His parents taught him the meaning of hard work and the importance of giving back to the communities that raised you.
​From sitting on his dad's shoulders at anti-war protests to walking out of class during Act 10 to fight for workers rights, Sean has always shown up for others and fought to do the right thing.
A Lifelong Public Servant
Sean is passionate about public service. He is a proud Eagle Scout from Troop 34 and a member of the Scouts of America National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow. He served as an elected member of his condo association and is a longtime volunteer with GSAFE, working to train the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders across Wisconsin.
Sean brings nearly a decade of experience working in and around government to the Madison Common Council. In 2016, he interned for Representative Chris Taylor in the State Capitol. He worked for Governor Tony Evers' first campaign in 2018 and later in his office. Working alongside these leaders, Sean learned that we must always do what is in the best interest of the next generation and leave our communities stronger for all who come after us.
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Sean currently works as the Policy & Advocacy Director at Fair Wisconsin, our state's only LGBTQ+ civil rights and political advocacy organization. At Fair, he leads the fight to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ youth and those living with HIV. From drafting policy to budget proposals, he has worked with every level of government to get things done.
The Right Choice For Our Neighborhoods.
In addition to representing the residents of District 16 on the Common Council, Alder Sean O'Brien serves on the Transportation Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Sustainable Madison Committee.
As an alder, Sean has fought to make sure that our public transit drivers and passengers are safe while using Metro buses. ​He has approved more than $1.1 million worth of traffic safety measures to make our roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians. He has also sponsored legislation to increase housing choice and expand services for those experiencing homelessness. He was a lead sponsor on a budget amendment to protect the critical food security program, Double Dollars, and has worked to invest in community centers and parks.
Sean is dedicated to increasing accessibility and transparency in government. As an alder, he has hosted more than a dozen office hours to hear directly from constituents and communicates frequently through blog posts, social media, and in-person events across the district. He has brought city employees and planners to our neighborhoods to see firsthand how strong and unique our communities are in Southeast Madison.
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Sean remains committed to fighting for his neighbors, our values, and for positive change as Madison continues to grow.