About Rick Rose
Rick Rose, an Emmy award winning producer working for Discover Mediaworks, is up for re-election to the Dane County Board on April 7th. He is a social activist and entrepreneur. Rick was born, raised, and educated in Wisconsin. Following a senior year of high school in Osaka, Japan, and the beginning of a college career at Bennington College, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Beloit College. Additionally, he is fluent in Japanese, German, and English.
Rick is an active fighter for equality, children's and women's rights, and an advocate for those living with AIDS, addiction, abuse, and cancer. He serves on the Wisconsin Statewide HIV/HCV Statewide Action Planning Group and co-chaired the Pride in Prevention Coalition addressing the opioid crisi in Dane County. He travels the country speaking on Community Grieving as a result of COVID-19's impact.
He has volunteered for economic betterment projects and has led sustainability efforts in New York City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Hannibal, MO, Shreveport, LA, and now Madison, WI where he has lived for five years. Rick is also an active member of Heartland Church in Sun Prairie.
What We Stand For
Public Health
Rick Rose serves on the Wisconsin Statewide HIV/HCV Statewide Action Planning Group and co-chaired the Pride in Prevention Coalition addressing Dane County's opioid crisis. He was the primary sponsor of RES-192 which pushes for statewide Good Samaritan Law to protect vulnerable individuals. Rose has also furthered the mission towards the creation of a Dane County Harm Reduction Center through the acceptance of over $800K in grants. Rick has traveled on a national level, speaking on community grieving associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health recovery process.
Environmental Health
Rick Rose has led sustainability efforts in NYC, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Hannibal-MO, Shreveport-LA, and Madison-WI. He has also contributed to improving signage on retention ponds through advancing legislation. RES-320, primarily sponsored by Rick Rose, pushes to clearly mark storm water retention basins in multiple languages as a safety measure.
Indigenous & Marginalized Communities
Rick Rose authored a proposal to hang the Ho-Chunk nation flag, symbolic of Dane County's Indigenous roots, in front of the City-County building. Through Rose's work as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children in the foster care system, he has firsthand experience with many youth affected by systemic inequities.
Equality for All
Rick Rose's efforts for transgender youth have led to the county become the nation's first healthcare sanctuary for these individuals. He is a long-term activist for women's, children's, and LGBTQ+ rights. The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has endorsed Rick Rose as a candidate. He also advocates for the rights of individuals living with addiction, AIDS, cancer, and abuse. Rose has served time on the Area Agency on Aging Board and the Equal Opportunities Commission, demonstrating consistent effort to advocate for individuals who need it most. He has also spoken to Dane County Jail reform via mental health treatment, rehabilitation measures, and trauma reduction.
Editorial board Endorsements for 2026
"The incumbent is a knowledgeable and engaging guy with four years of experience serving his constituents on Madison's Far East Side and neighboring towns. He works in media and marketing at Beloit College, so he's well informed and a strong communicator. We like his attention to environmental concerns. On the budget shortfall, Rose sees potential savings in having the county partner with businesses and seek corporate sponsorships. He sees "great potential" in reviving the Dane County Coliseum so it benefits, rather than burdening taxpayers."
Editorial | For a progressive experienced Dane County Board
"We're recommending candidates who we believe are best prepared to maintain Dane County's tradition of humane and progressive governance.Rose has a good grip on budget issues and is often outspoken as an advocate for human services projects."
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