Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett certainly raised his profile this year, albeit in a very painful way. He made international news for being a local hero by coming to the aid of a grandmother and toddler who were being threatened during a domestic dispute. Barrett’s still healing from the attack, and will continue to heal for many more months, but that hasn’t stopped him from working day in and day out to make Milwaukee better. 

Runners-up:Sen. Russ Feingold, County Executive Scott Walker