LaKeshia Myers | |
---|---|
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 12th district | |
Assumed office January 6, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Fred Kessler |
Personal details | |
Born | Milwaukee,Wisconsin | May 21,1984
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Milwaukee,Wisconsin |
Alma mater | Alcorn State University (BA) Strayer University (EdM) Argosy University (EdD) |
Website | Official website |
LaKeshia N. Myers (born May 21,1984) [1] is an American educator and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 12th Assembly district since 2019. [2]
Myers was born in Milwaukee,Wisconsin,and graduated from Rufus King High School in 2002. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alcorn State University in 2006 (from 2005 to 2006 she was National Membership Director of College Democrats of America),a Master of Education from Strayer University in 2009,and a doctor of education from Argosy University in 2016. In addition to working as Director of Education for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and a trainer of teachers at Milwaukee Public Schools,she has been a small business owner,a clerk for the United States House of Representatives,and a legislative aide for Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor. [3] She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
In 2012,after a drastic redistricting by the Republican-controlled legislature removed his home from the 12th and changed the racial complexion completely, [4] Kessler (who had served in the Assembly on and off since 1961) faced a challenge in the Democratic primary from African-American newcomer Mario Hall,who was reported to be a school choice supporter with backing from pro-voucher organizations. [5] Kessler (who had to move into the redrawn district) won with 71% of the vote,and faced no challenger in the November general election. Kessler was re-elected without opposition in 2014 and 2016.
In 2018,Myers,who has been active in various African-American and other civic organizations,announced her candidacy,saying that she ran because "neglect and starvation" had hurt Wisconsin's educational system,advocating that fewer people be re-imprisoned for minor probation and parole violations,and denouncing what she called the district's economic decline. Kessler has been a frequent critic of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on issues from privatization of Milwaukee public schools to the public subsidies which financed the Fiserv Forum;and the Leadership MKE political action fund (financed almost completely by Abele) reported spending over $57,000 in support of Myers' candidacy. In the primary she defeated the 78-year-old Kessler with 3,709 votes to his 2,545. [6] [7] Afterwards,she told the Associated Press,"I think the district made their voices clear with,it's time for us to cash in on that seat by having someone,a person of color,represent us in this district." [8] [9] She drew 17,428 votes in the general election,with only 274 write-in votes against her. [10]
Myers left her State Assembly seat to run for the Wisconsin Senate,following incumbent Lena Taylor's appointment as a Milwaukee County judge. She lost to Dora Drake in the Democratic primaries for both the special election to fill the seat in 2024 and the general election for the following term. [11]
Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Primary [12] | Aug. 14 | LaKeshia Myers | Democratic | 3,709 | 59.23% | Fred Kessler (inc.) | Dem. | 2,545 | 40.64% | 6,262 | 1,164 |
General [13] | Nov. 6 | LaKeshia Myers | Democratic | 17,428 | 97.01% | --unopposed-- | 17,702 | 17,154 | ||||
2020 | General [14] | Nov. 3 | LaKeshia Myers (inc) | Democratic | 18,539 | 70.17% | Ozell Cox | Rep. | 4,117 | 18.14% | 22,699 | 14,422 |
2022 | General [15] | Nov. 8 | LaKeshia Myers (inc) | Democratic | 13,770 | 78.79% | Greg Canady | Rep. | 3,688 | 21.10% | 17,476 | 10,082 |
Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 (special) | Primary | Jul. 2 | Dora Drake | Democratic | 4,439 | 65.75% | LaKeshia Myers | Dem. | 2,298 | 34.04% | 6,751 | 2,141 |
2024 | Primary | Aug. 13 | Dora Drake (inc) | Democratic | 12,630 | 62.35% | LaKeshia Myers | Dem. | 7,605 | 37.54% | 20,258 | 5,025 |
Lena C. Taylor is an American lawyer,judge,and former politician serving as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County,since January 2024. She previously served 19 years as a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate,representing the 4th State Senate district from 2005 to 2024,and was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for one term before that.
Frederick P. Kessler was an American lawyer,arbitrator,judge,and Democratic Party politician. He served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 24 years between 1961 and 2019,and served 11 years as a state judge in the 1970s and 1980s.
Sherburn Duane "Duey" Stroebel Jr. is an American realtor and Republican politician from Cedarburg,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate,representing the 20th Senate district since 2015. He previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly,from 2011 to 2015. After the latest redistricting plan,Stroebel was drawn out of his previous Senate district and lost re-election running in Wisconsin's 8th Senate district in 2024.
Daniel Graan Riemer is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 7th Assembly district since 2013.
Katrina Shankland is an American community organizer and Democratic politician from Stevens Point,Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing the 71st Assembly district since 2013.
Yesenia Edelmira "Jessie" Rodriguez is a Salvadoran American immigrant and Republican politician from Milwaukee County,Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 21st Assembly district since December 2013. She is the first Hispanic immigrant elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.
Jonathan Brostoff was an American Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 19th Assembly district from 2015 through 2022. He subsequently served on the Milwaukee Common Council from 2022 until his death in November 2024.
David Bowen is an American politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing the 10th Assembly district from 2015 through 2022. He previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
Robert Brooks is an American businessman and Republican politician from Saukville,Wisconsin. He is state representative for the 60th district of the Wisconsin State Assembly,since January 2015.
David C. Crowley is an American politician and the 7th County Executive of Milwaukee County,Wisconsin. He is the first African American to serve as the county's top official,and,at age 33,also the youngest. He previously represented Milwaukee as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,serving from January 2017 until June 2020.
Shannon M. Zimmerman is an American Republican politician and former businessman from River Falls,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 30th Assembly district since 2017.
The 2020 Milwaukee mayoral election was held on Tuesday,April 7,2020,concurrent with Wisconsin's Spring general election and presidential preference primary. Incumbent mayor Tom Barrett won his fifth four-year term as mayor of Milwaukee,receiving 62% of the vote against state senator Lena Taylor.
The 2020 Wisconsin Fall general election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 3,2020. All of Wisconsin's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election,as well as sixteen seats in the Wisconsin State Senate and all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Voters also chose ten electors to represent them in the Electoral College,which then participated in selecting the president of the United States. The 2020 Fall partisan primary was held on August 11,2020.
Marisabel Cabrera is an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. She is a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County,since August 2024. She previously served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 9th Assembly district from 2019 to 2024.
Supreme Moore Omokunde is an American community organizer and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He has also been known by the names Sowande Ajumoke Omokunde and Supreme Solar Allah. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 17th Assembly district since 2021. He was also a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 2015 through 2020.
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is an American real estate broker and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 8th Assembly district since 2021. She previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 2018 until 2022.
Dora Elizabeth Drake is an American community advocate and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 11th Assembly district since 2021. She was elected unopposed in a July 30,2024,special election for Wisconsin Senate.
Darrin Brian Madison Jr. is an American justice activist and Democratic politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 10th Assembly district since January 2023.
Ryan M. Clancy is an American teacher,business owner,and politician from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 19th Assembly district since January 2023. He was a member of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 2020 to 2024. He is a member of the Democratic Party ticket and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Robert G. "Bob" Donovan is an American Republican politician from Milwaukee County,Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly,representing Wisconsin's 84th Assembly district since January 2023. Following the 2024 redistricting,he has announced he will run for re-election in the redrawn 61st Assembly district. He previously served 20 years on the Milwaukee Common Council and was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Milwaukee in 2016 and 2022.