Delivering the leadership we deserve

Christian Phelps was born and raised in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School in 2012 as a successful student-athlete. He has been an advocate for the Chippewa Valley community for over a decade.

Two key childhood motivators propelled Christian early: (1) Coming to understand his own LGBTQ+ identity in a state that, in 2006, had constitutionally banned same-sex marriage by popular vote, and (2) Act 10: as a high school junior, he joined hundreds of peers in demonstrations to stand up for public schools and educators. The state government has never respected democracy in the intervening time – but with the new legislative maps, we have an opportunity to change that.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in 2016, Christian returned to Wisconsin, working for two years as a special education paraprofessional in public schools in Madison; he was a member of Madison Teachers Incorporated, a WEAC/NEA affiliate union. He then earned a master’s degree in journalism from Cardiff University and returned to Eau Claire in early 2020.

As Christian’s personal and professional understanding of education has deepened over time, so has his commitment to political change. We simply cannot afford to go another year without pro-public leadership in Madison—pro-public education, pro-public health, pro-public lands, pro-public participation in democracy.

Christian has written personally and professionally to cover stories of LGBTQ+ rights, social programs, indigenous sovereignty, public education, and more, and has most recently worked in the nonprofit arena as communications director for Wisconsin Public Education Network. He also serves on the steering committee of Support Eau Claire Public Schools and the board of trustees of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation.

Christian brings years of personal and professional experience participating in public demonstrations, referendum campaigns, following legislative policy, journalistic and academic writing, and standing up for Wisconsinites against corporate greed.

Whenever he’s left the Chippewa Valley, he quickly ends up coming back. He loves the authenticity and passion for justice that lives in the foundation of west-central Wisconsin. This is where he wants to make the most difference. We have a responsibility to seize the opportunity we have in 2024 to send our bold ideas and shared values to the statehouse, and to elect a candidate who has a demonstrable record at the legislative level and a bold vision for our shared future. That sense of responsibility is what drives Christian to run for the 93rd Assembly District.

He lives in Eau Claire with his partner and loves running, playing tennis, and enjoying the many small businesses in the Chippewa Valley for social time with his friends.