Bradley Smith

Brad Smith is the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 6th District. A Wisconsin National Guard veteran who deployed for 14 months, he describes a career that began in web design at a Milwaukee software company and led to vice president and later senior roles at larger firms, and he now runs a small consulting business. He has not held elected office; he won the August 2026 Democratic primary over Amanda Bell, 50.3% to 49.7%.[1][2]

According to his campaign website, Smith was born in the town of Larsen in Winnebago County and raised in Neenah, Wisconsin; his parents worked at a feed mill and a supper club, and his grandparents ran a dairy farm in Iola.[1] After graduating from Neenah High School he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard, serving from 2000 to 2008 as a forward observer and rising to staff sergeant.[1][2] He deployed for 14 months in support of the Global War on Terror, and his campaign says his unit received the federal Humanitarian Award for assisting FEMA operations in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck during mobilization training in Mississippi.[1][2]

With help from the GI Bill, Smith earned a bachelor's degree in digital media design and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (2007) and later an MBA through the University of Wisconsin System; Ballotpedia lists a 2012 graduate degree from UW-Eau Claire.[1][2] He began his career at a small Milwaukee software company serving manufacturers, rising over ten years from web designer to vice president on its executive team through acquisitions and a NASDAQ listing, according to his campaign website.[1] He later held senior leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups and now runs his own consulting business.[1]

Smith has coached a LEGO robotics team, mentored innovators as part of the National Science Foundation, and is a member of the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.[1][2] He lives in Mequon with his wife, Jennifer, and their two sons, per his campaign website.[1][2] He won the Democratic nomination in the August 11, 2026 primary, defeating Amanda Bell 36,408 votes to 35,928.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.