After graduating from UW-Whitewater, Udell worked for Maryland Attorney General Stephen Sachs, later returning to Wisconsin and serving as the chair and treasurer of the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party of Wisconsin.[2]
Political career
Local politics
Udell was first elected to the Fitchburg city council in 2020 to the 4th district, and was re-elected in 2022. In 2023 Udell ran for Fitchburg mayor, but was defeated by Julia Arata-Fratta by four points.[4]
In December 2023 Udell announced a run for Dane County Board of Supervisors, and was subsequently elected to the 33rd district in the 2024 Spring election.[5]
Wisconsin State Assembly
Following Senator Melissa Agard's retirement, 47th district representative Jimmy Anderson announced a bid to replace her, leaving the district open.[6] Shortly afterwards, Fitchburg alderman Joe Maldonado and Udell both announced bids to replace him.[7] During the primary Udell campaigned on expanding broadband access to rural areas, while also emphasizing his experience in finance and budgeting as chair of the Fitchburg city council's finance committee and as Treasurer of the state Democratic Party.[8]
In the primary election, Udell went on to defeat Maldonado by a slim 2 percent margin.[9] As no Republican filed to run for the seat, Udell was unopposed for election and took office at the start of the 107th Wisconsin Legislature, on January 6, 2025.
Personal life
Udell and his husband, Brad, live in Fitchburg with their rescue dog Morgan.[3]
