Milwaukee Mayor Moves On To Become Luxembourg Ambassador After Signing Resignation

MILWAUKEE, WI — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced his resignation Wednesday, and said that Common Council President Cavalier Johnson would step in as acting mayor as Barrett moves on to become the next U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.

Barrett signed his resignation papers around 9:30 a.m. and said that his resignation would be effective at 5 p.m.

The future ambassador would receive his oath at the Milwaukee Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on Thursday at 9 a.m., Barrett said in a news conference.

From there, the former mayor would meet with federal officials in Washington in January 2022 and then depart to Luxembourg, Barrett added.

Johnson will become the acting mayor at 5:01 p.m., Milwaukee City Clerk Jim Owczarski said in a news conference. Johnson won't have to take an oath to become mayor, Owczarski added.

The Milwaukee Common Council will meet Thursday to schedule the next mayoral election, which could happen alongside spring 2022 primary elections, Owczarski said.

Barrett thanked the residents of the city and said that being in office for nearly 18 years was the "biggest honor and privilege of my life."