richelle andrae
Thank you for the opportunity to serve District 11, which includes most of Hill Farms, Shorewood Village, and the neighborhoods immediately east of Midvale Blvd. I’ve lived in Madison since 2013, and reside near West High School. I’ve experienced our community through the eyes of a student, a young professional working in non-profit, an academic, and a volunteer. During the day, I am an advocate for safety net clinics in Wisconsin, working with state policymakers and partners to ensure that all residents have access to quality health care, regardless of income or insurance status. I’ve previously worked on local public health evaluation projects, rural workforce development, and Medicaid policy. After serving an AmeriCorps service term in California, I returned to Wisconsin and worked directly with underserved teens in Madison high schools, helping them find and keep their first jobs.
On the County Board, I chaired the Public Protection & Judiciary Committee from 2022 to 2026, which has oversight for the Dane County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, Emergency Management, 911 Call Center, Courts, Pre-Trial Services, Medical Examiner, and more. I now serve as Vice-Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee which has primarily jurisdiction over important budget decisions.
A few of my "success stories" on the Board include navigating the complex jail consolidation project, improving constituent outreach by encouraging implementation of a successful blog system for Supervisors, and budget amendments to improve the pay structure for staff attorneys to support the timely service of justice, expunge Birth Recovery Costs (learn more about this policy issue here), and fund a local Food System Action Plan.
When I’m not at work or engaged in Board activities, you can find me on a walk enjoying the oaks in the Speedway cemetery with my rescue pup, Roux, or paddling my kayak on the Yahara. I studied Spanish at UW-Madison during my undergrad, and earned a Masters in Public Affairs from the La Follette School, focusing on health policy and administration. Please reach out at any time and I look forward to working with you.
Neighbors,
In light of the police-involved killing of Corey Ruiz on Wednesday and the trauma our community is experiencing once again, I am sharing statements directly from Black and Brown leaders in Madison. I am not a prayerful person myself, but if I was, I would be praying today. Instead, I will be listening, holding my loved ones close, and inviting your input on how we can take actual steps toward justice – knowing that will never truly reach Corey or his family. Actions will speak louder than words as we move through this together, as the independent investigation is carried out, we demand accountability, and we mend what can be rebuilt and mourn what cannot. I encourage each of us to find the way we can make a positive impact, question our own assumptions, and support those that need it most, in the way they need it.
Below are statements from the YWCA of Madison and NCAAP Dane County, followed by a flag for upcoming county budget listening sessions. The primary way we as policymakers on the County Board can be a part of the solution to our community’s newest trauma is by reflecting our values in our budget priorities. Immediate support is available via the 988 crisis line, and Public Health Madison Dane County has additional resources.
YWCA Madison's Statement on the Death of Corey Ruiz &
Our Call for Shared Accountabilit
On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in broad daylight, Corey Ruiz was shot three times during an encounter with the Madison Police Department. This devastating incident resulted in Corey's death, and our community now mourns his loss. YWCA Madison grieves alongside Corey’s loved ones, the Willy Street neighborhood, our Madison community, and all those living through the pain, anger, fear, and uncertainty of this moment.
Every loss of life that raises questions about justice, safety, and the value placed on Black lives reverberates far beyond the immediate tragedy. It activates collective grief and brings to the surface the enduring trauma of racism, police violence, and the disproportionate use of force against Black communities.
Corey's death does not exist in isolation. It is part of a longer history that impacts the Willy Street neighborhood and our city. The Madison community continues to grieve the deaths of Tony Robinson, who was fatally shot by a police officer just blocks away in 2015; Paulie Heenan, who was killed by an officer in 2012; and Michael Schumacher, who was fatally shot by an officer in 2016. Though each of these deaths occurred under different circumstances, they are part of a broader pattern surrounding policing, accountability, and systems that too often resort to deadly force in the name of public safety.
We call upon elected local officials, including Mayor Rhodes-Conway, the Madison Common Council, and the Police Civilian Oversight Board, to ensure a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into Corey's death, communicate openly with the public, and take meaningful steps toward shared accountability without delay.
We encourage you, members of our Madison community to exercise your democratic rights by contacting City Alders at allalders@cityofmadison.com to share concerns, ask for transparency, ensure an independent investigation, and advocate for meaningful accountability.
Across our community, leaders from all walks of life and organizations such as Freedom Inc. are organizing networks of care, creating spaces to grieve, and courageously meeting the moment. We are grateful for the leadership of community members leading these efforts.
Those who would like to honor Corey’s life and stand in solidarity are invited to attend a Candlelight Vigil Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM on the corner of Williamson and Baldwin Street.
In the coming days, YWCA Madison will continue to work alongside community partners to support one another, engage peacefully, hold space for those who are grieving, and nurture opportunities for collective healing.
We remain steadfast in our mission and our commitment to building a community where justice, equity, healing, and the inherent dignity of every person are lived realities and ongoing practices. Even in moments of profound loss, we believe our path forward lies in telling the truth, caring for ourselves and one another, and leading with our values: humanity, community, growth, and restoration.
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NAACP DANE COUNTY STATEMENT ON THE OFFICER INVOLVED DEATH OF COREY DURELL RUIZ
Madison, WI – July 23, 2026. The NAACP Dane County extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Corey Durell Ruiz, sharing in their grief and emphasizing our commitment to justice and compassion during this tragic time.
Yesterday, a Madison Police Officer fatally shot an African American male in his 30s on Madison's east side. Four officers were involved in the struggle. Cellphone video shows an officer firing three times. The State Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation, which we expect to be thorough and transparent to uphold accountability.
This tragic event not only revives our memories of other police shootings but makes us question the lessons learned from similar actions in the past.
The Fourth Amendment protects the right to be free from the use of excessive force in the course of an arrest. What is the severity of the crime at issue? Does the suspect pose an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others? Is the suspect actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight? The news reports of the crime suggest and show no or limited severity; the suspect poses no threat due to the restraint of three officers; and no attempt to resist. Thus, the use of excessive force is not reasonable and must be front and center.
While the facts and circumstances are under investigation, a critical question is whether the suspect was brandishing a dangerous weapon in a threatening way. The videos do not appear to support or substantiate this matter.
A complete and transparent investigation emphasizing accountability is not enough. We demand that police training guidelines be revised based on the 2025 U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Barnes v. Felix to better protect community members and prevent excessive use of force.
“We The People”
Greg Jones, President
NAACP Dane County
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I am also flagging upcoming county budget engagement sessions – please join us to learn about the annual budget process, raise hard questions, and provide your input regarding priorities. The terrible events from this week will certainly be on my mind as we head into deliberations. I’m proud of the county-funded efforts we elevate in violence prevention, interruption, victim witness services, and behavioral health access, but the killing of Corey Ruiz brings all of these resources – and the need to invest boldly in community services – to the forefront once again.
Info re: budget engagement sessions: The goal is to help residents understand how the county budget is developed, reviewed, and adopted, and when they can participate, ahead of the 2027 budget cycle this fall. Each session will follow the same format: a short presentation on the budget process led by supervisors, a brief question-and-answer period, and an open listening session for residents to share their priorities. Sessions will run about 90 minutes. They will occur:
In service,
Richelle Andrae
Dane County Board Supervisor District 11
