David Clarke
Basic facts
Organization:	Rise Up Wisconsin
Role:	President
Location:	Milwaukee, Wis.
Expertise:	Law Enforcement
Education:	Concordia University (B.A. criminal justice management) •FBI National Academy •National Executive Institute
Prior Experience •Patrol Officer, Milwaukee Police Department •Homicide Detective, Milwaukee Police Department •Captain of Police, Milwaukee Police Department •Milwaukee County Sheriff, 2002-2017

David Clarke is the founder and president of Rise Up Wisconsin and formerMilwaukee County sheriff, a role he filled from 2002 to 2017.^[1][2] Clarke resigned his position on August 31, 2017.^[3] Previously, he worked for theMilwaukee Police Department. In November 2016, Clarke was reported to be a potential candidate for a high-level appointment inDonald Trump's administration.^[4]

In May 2017, Clarke announced that he had accepted a position as an assistant secretary of partnership and engagement in theU.S. Department of Homeland Security.^[5] He never filled the position, and in September 2017, he joined a super PAC in support of PresidentDonald Trump's (R) policy agenda.^[6]

Biography

Rise Up Wisconsin

Clarke founded Rise Up Wisconsin, a political nonprofit, in 2021.^[7] Clarke said he started it to "be a place where grass root conservative individuals would have a voice and a seat at the table in the Wisconsin State legislature."^[7] The organization's website stated its mission was to empower citizens, make government accountable to voters, reduce the number of career politicians in the legislature, and reduce the size of government.^[2]

Milwaukee Police Department

David Clarke, aMilwaukee native, graduated from Concordia University, majoring in criminal justice management. He began his law enforcement career in 1978, when he joined the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). He served as a patrol officer for 11 years.^[8][9]

In 1989, Clarke was promoted to detective with the MPD. As detective, he was assigned to the homicide division where, according to his reelection website, he and his team made an arrest in 80 percent of their cases.^[9]

In 1992, Clarke received a promotion as Lieutenant of Detectives and assumed a position with the Criminal Investigation Bureau as a Shift Commander for Crimes Against Property Division, the Violent Crimes Unit, and also the Homicide Division.^[8] In 1996, Clarke was promoted to captain of the command staff and commander of the department's First District.^[9][8]

In 1999, Clarke was once again promoted; Clarke became commanding officer in the Intelligence Division for the MPD, where he "was responsible for producing and sharing intelligence, and providing dignitary protection in conjunction with the Secret Service, the Department of State, and other federal agencies."^[8]

Milwaukee County Sheriff

In 2002, Clarke ran for Milwaukee county sheriff and won by a margin of 64 percent, which he followed up with a 69 percent victory in 2006, then winning in 2010 by nearly 163,000 votes, and garnering 261,776 votes in 2014.^{[10][11][12][9]}

In 2013, Clarke received his Master's in security studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security.^[8] In February 2015, Clarke received the Charlton Heston Courage Under Fire Award from theConservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).^[13]

Resignation

Clarke resigned his position on August 31, 2017.^[3]

Political activity

Possible Trump appointee (first term)
During the 2016 presidential transition of power, Clarke was reported to be in consideration for a high-level appointment inDonald Trump's (R) first term.
Full list of possible appointees
See also:Donald Trump's Cabinet, 2025

Rise Up Wisconsin

Rise Up Wisconsin's website stated its mission was to empower citizens, make government accountable to voters, reduce the number of career politicians in the legislature, and reduce the size of government.^[2] Clarke wrote, "A CALL TO ACTION IS NECESSARY. This is why Rise Up Wisconsin was created. To organize the grass roots to demand elected official accountability."^[14]

America First Action

On September 5, 2017, Clarke announced that he would join the pro-Trumpsuper PACAmerica First Action, a group associated with the pro-Trump nonprofitAmerica First Policies, as a spokesperson and senior advisor. At the time of his appointment to America First, Clarke said the role "gives me the chance to do what I love most—promote President Trump’s agenda, including his fierce support for the American law enforcement officer, and ensure that the will of the American people who got President Trump elected is not derailed by the left or the self-serving Washington establishment."^[6]

Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016

During the 2016 presidential election, Clarke was a supporter of and surrogate forDonald Trump (R). He spoke at theRepublican National Convention, saying of Trump, "Throughout his campaign and over many years before he has consistently and constantly raised his voice not only in defense of the character of the American police officer, but the need for all people to feel they are being treated fairly and respectfully by law enforcement."^[15]

During the final weeks of the campaign, Clarke traveled with a group of Trump surrogates in a tour sponsored by the pro-Trumpsuper PACGreat America PAC.^[16]

Stances

On firearm ownership

In 2015, he released a radio advertisement encouraging citizens to "consider taking a certified safety course in handling a firearm" because "simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer your best option." Clarke first became nationally prominent within conservative circles because of this ad, according toNational Review.^[17] In May 2016, he spoke further on policies surrounding firearms, telling theNRA, "My ancestors fought hard and shed blood for the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense, and I am not going to cede that right back to the federal government, or any level government for that matter, and neither should you."^[18]

On Black Lives Matter

Clarke is a prominent opponent of the Black Lives Matter movement. In July 2016, in an opinion piece forFox News, Clarke wrote:^[19]

He also toldCNN that he considered Black Lives Matter to be responsible for violence against police officers throughout the country, saying, "My message has been clear from day one two years ago, this anti-cop sentiment from this hateful ideology called Black Lives Matter has fueled this rage against the American police officer."^[21]

See also

• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Donald Trump potential high-level administration appointments

External links

• Clarke on X
• Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

Footnotes

v • e Influencers Main What is an influencer?Contact the Ballotpedia team

	v • e State ofWisconsin Madison (capital)
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