Christian Phelps

Christian Phelps is a lifelong advocate for progressive Chippewa Valley values. He was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a student in public schools and the child and grandchild of public school educators in Wisconsin. He was 12-13 years old in 2006, coming to understand his own LGBTQ+ identity in the same year that politicians and voters in Wisconsin banned same-sex marriage. After leaving the region for college, he returned and worked in a public elementary school for two years as a paraprofessional, where he saw up close the effects of inadequate funding and dangerous political rhetoric on children. He went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism and has been a nonprofit communications professional helping individuals in Wisconsin advocate for strong, equitable, and welcoming public schools. He is driven by the need to ensure that the community Wisconsin’s young people deserve can become a reality.