Empower Wisconsin | Nov. 13, 2019
By M.D. Kittle
MADISON — Gone but certainly not forgotten, Brad Pfaff has landed a cushy political consolation prize after being booted out of his ag secretary post.
Just days after the Republican-controlled Senate rejected Pfaff’s confirmation as secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Gov. Tony Evers’s team found Pfaff a cozy new post as director of business and rural development under the state Department of Administration.
Pfaff, whose political rhetoric and controversial ag policy ideas cost him the support of Republican senators, conveniently takes over what had been the idle Office of Business Development — but with a significantly higher salary.
Pfaff will pull in nearly $121,000 a year, about $34,000 more than the business development director salary of $86,736 annually, according to the Associated Press. Pfaff will make about $9,000 less than he would as ag secretary. DOA Secretary Joel Brennan told media outlets that Pfaff will have expanded duties.
It’s nice to have friends.
Evers has been extremely generous when it comes to his administration employees’ pay. As MacIver News Service first reported earlier this year, the governor’s cabinet members are earning significantly more than their predecessors, some with double-digit salary increases.
Brennan, according to executive branch salary records, makes, $152,755, about 11 percent more than the previous DOA secretary.
