Lena Taylor

Last updated

In the fall of 2019, Taylor launched a campaign for mayor of Milwaukee, challenging four-term incumbent Democratic mayor Tom Barrett in the 2020 Milwaukee mayoral election. [25] She survived the February non-partisan primary, which narrowed the field to the top two vote-getters, [26] but was defeated by Barrett in the general election, receiving 36% of the vote. [27] [28] [29]

In April 2018, Taylor generated controversy and received a citation for disorderly conduct after an incident in which she used the term "house nigga" (a combination of "house slave" and "nigga") during a dispute with a bank teller who had refused to cash a check (citing insufficient funds). Both Taylor and the teller involved are African Americans. [30]

2022 lieutenant governor and mayoral candidacies

After incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Mandela Barnes announced he would not run for re-election, Taylor briefly entered the race to succeed him, announcing her candidacy in October 2021. [31] [32] She ended her campaign just two months later, on December 25, 2021, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming Milwaukee mayoral election. [33]

In 2020, incumbent mayor Tom Barrett received an ambassadorial appointment, necessitating a special election in 2022. Taylor ran again, but fell to third place in the non-partisan primary, behind acting mayor Cavalier Johnson and long-time city council member Bob Donovan. [34] [35]

2023 municipal judge candidacy

In the 2023 Spring election, Taylor sought election to a municipal judge seat in Milwaukee. [36] She was defeated in the April 4 general election by Molly Gena, the managing attorney of a pro bono legal services provider. [37] [38]

Judgeship (2024–present)

On January 26, 2024, Governor Tony Evers appointed Taylor to fill the Wisconsin circuit court judgeship in Milwaukee County left vacant by the resignation of judge Audrey Skwierawski. Taylor resigned from the state senate later that day, and was sworn in as judge on January 30. [2]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2003)

Lena Taylor
2013 YOUNG SUMMIT (9548790700) (1).jpg
Taylor in 2013
Wisconsin Circuit Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 41
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 30, 2024
Wisconsin Assembly, 18th District Special Election, 2003
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Special Democratic Primary, April 1, 2003 [4]
Democratic Lena C. Taylor 2,640 67.88%
Democratic Ted Kraig1,24932.12%
Plurality1,39135.77%
Total votes3,889 100.0%
Special General Election, April 29, 2003 [5]
Democratic Lena C. Taylor 475 95.96%
Write-in 204.04%
Plurality45591.92%
Total votes495 100.0%

Wisconsin Senate (2004–2020)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2004Primary [8] Sep. 14Lena C. Taylor Democratic 10,04246.80% Johnnie Morris-Tatum Dem. 7,73536.05%21,4562,307
James White Dem. 3,63316.93%
General [9] Nov. 2Lena C. Taylor Democratic 62,68999.16%--unopposed--63,22362,155
2008 General [10] Nov. 4Lena C. Taylor (inc) Democratic 66,75198.82%67,55165,951
2012General [17] Nov. 6Lena C. Taylor (inc) Democratic 67,06486.62%David D. King Ind. 10,15413.11%77,42656,910
2016 Primary [18] Aug. 9Lena C. Taylor (inc) Democratic 11,45460.56% Mandela Barnes Dem. 7,43339.30%18,9134,021
General [19] Nov. 8Lena C. Taylor (inc) Democratic 62,09998.33%--unopposed--63,15361,045
2020 General [20] Nov. 3Lena C. Taylor (inc) Democratic 62,40598.34%63,45861,352

Milwaukee County executive (2008)

Milwaukee County Executive Election, 2008
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
General Election, April 1, 2008 [24]
Republican Scott Walker (incumbent) 98,039 58.66% +1.38pp
Democratic Lena C. Taylor68,78541.16%−1.35pp
Write-in 2940.18%
Plurality29,25417.50%+2.73pp
Total votes167,118 100.0% -29.65%

Milwaukee mayor (2020)

Milwaukee Mayoral Election, 2020
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Nonpartisan Primary, February 18, 2020 [28]
Nonpartisan Tom Barrett (incumbent) 33,151 50.01%
Nonpartisan Lena C. Taylor 20,347 30.69%
Nonpartisan Tony Zielinski 10,38515.67%
Nonpartisan Paul Rasky1,9022.87%
Write-in 5090.77%
Total votes66,294 100.0%
General Election, April 7, 2020 [29]
Nonpartisan Tom Barrett (incumbent) 57,492 62.55%
Nonpartisan Lena C. Taylor33,57236.52%
Write-in 8520.93%
Plurality23,92026.02%
Total votes91,916 100.0%
Nonpartisan hold

Milwaukee mayor (2022)

Milwaukee Mayoral Special Election, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Special Nonpartisan Primary, February 15, 2022 [28]
Nonpartisan Cavalier Johnson (incumbent) 25,779 41.79%
Nonpartisan Bob Donovan 13,742 22.28%
Nonpartisan Lena C. Taylor7,87712.77%−17.92pp
Nonpartisan Marina Dimitrijevic 7,5212.87%
Nonpartisan Earnell Lucas5,8869.54%
Nonpartisan Michael Sampson5140.83%
Nonpartisan Ieshuh Griffin3150.51%
Write-in 560.09%
Total votes61,690 100.0% -6.94%

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Wirch</span> American politician (born 1943)

Robert W. Wirch is an American Democratic politician from Kenosha County, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 22nd Senate district since 1997. He previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from 1993 to 1997, and served on the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors before that.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Barrett (Wisconsin politician)</span> American diplomat and politician (born 1953)

Thomas Mark Barrett is an American diplomat and politician who served as the United States ambassador to Luxembourg from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as the 44th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2004 until 2021.

Christopher Lee Kapenga is an American businessman and Republican politician from Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He is the president of the Wisconsin Senate, since 2021, and has served in the state Senate since 2015, representing Wisconsin's 33rd Senate district. He previously served two and a half terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election</span> Failed attempt to remove incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker

The 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election was a special election to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. It resulted in voters re-electing incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker over the Democratic candidate Tom Barrett by a larger margin than in 2010 when Walker also faced Barrett. Recall organizers opposed Walker's agenda, particularly his limiting of collective bargaining rights for state employees and they collected over 900,000 signatures to initiate the recall election process. There was also a recall for Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. She won her race, defeating Democrat Mahlon Mitchell, making her the first lieutenant governor to run in and survive a recall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Tonya Johnson</span> American activist and politician

LaTonya Johnson is an American activist and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 6th Senate district since 2017. Before her election to the Senate, she served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and was president of AFSCME Local 502.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandela Barnes</span> American politician (born 1986)

J. Mandela Barnes is an American politician who served as the 45th lieutenant governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the state representative for the 11th district from 2013 to 2017. Barnes is the first African American to serve as Wisconsin's lieutenant governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to determine the governor and lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It occurred concurrently with elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Wisconsin elections</span>

The 2014 Wisconsin Fall General Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 4, 2014. Wisconsin's Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer were all up for election, as well as Wisconsin's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives. The November general election in 2014 also featured a statewide referendum on an amendment to the Constitution of Wisconsin. The 2014 Wisconsin Fall Primary Election was held on August 12, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018. It occurred concurrently with a Senate election in the state, elections to the state's U.S. House seats, and various other elections. Incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker sought re-election to a third term, and was challenged by Democratic candidate and then-Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, as well as Libertarian Phil Anderson and independent Maggie Turnbull. Evers, along with his running mate Mandela Barnes, managed to defeat Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in a closely fought and widely watched race, ending the state's Republican trifecta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Wisconsin elections</span>

The 2016 Wisconsin Fall General Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 8, 2016. One of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats and all eight seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election, as well as half of the Wisconsin Senate seats and all 99 Wisconsin State Assembly seats. Voters also chose ten electors to represent them in the Electoral College, which then participated in selecting the 45th president of the United States. The 2016 Fall Partisan Primary was held on August 9, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Wisconsin</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate from Wisconsin. The party primaries were held on August 9, 2022. Incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson won election to a third term, defeating Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes by 26,718 votes—a one-point margin of victory.

LaKeshia N. Myers is an American educator and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She served three terms as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 12th Assembly district from 2019 to 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Milwaukee mayoral election</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States Senate election in Wisconsin</span>

The 2024 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 5, 2024, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin won re-election to a third term, narrowly defeating Republican nominee Eric Hovde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Wisconsin. Incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers won re-election to a second term by a margin of 3.4%, defeating Republican nominee Tim Michels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Wisconsin elections</span>

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.

Dora Elizabeth Drake is an American community advocate and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing Wisconsin's 4th Senate district since 2025. She previously served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (2021–2025).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Wisconsin elections</span>

The 2022 Wisconsin fall general election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 8, 2022. All of Wisconsin's partisan executive and administrative offices were up for election, as well as one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats, and Wisconsin's eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The fall election also filled the seventeen odd-numbered seats in the Wisconsin Senate and all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 106th Wisconsin Legislature. The 2022 Wisconsin fall primary was held on August 9, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election</span>

The 2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election was held on April 5, 2022, concurrent with Wisconsin's spring general election, to elect a new mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, following the resignation of mayor Tom Barrett in December 2021. Acting mayor Cavalier Johnson, who had been president of the common council when Barrett resigned, won the election, receiving 71% of the vote and defeating alderman Bob Donovan. Johnson became the first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Wisconsin elections</span>

The 2023 Wisconsin Spring Election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on April 4, 2023. The featured race at the top of the ticket was for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which became the most expensive judicial election in history. Several other nonpartisan local and judicial offices were also decided on the April 4 ballot, including mayoral elections in some of Wisconsin's larger cities—Green Bay, Madison, and Racine. In addition, a special election was held in the 8th State Senate district, concurrent with the Spring elections. The 2023 Wisconsin Spring Primary was held February 21, 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Taylor, Lena C. 1966". Wisconsin Historical Society . Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Bice, Daniel (January 26, 2024). "Sen. Lena Taylor appointed Milwaukee County judge by Gov. Tony Evers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Three legislative seats are on the ballot". Wisconsin State Journal . March 23, 2003. p. 37. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S., ed. (2003). "Elections in Wisconsin". State of Wisconsin 2003–2004 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp.  921, 924 . Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Special General Election - 04/29/2003 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. May 5, 2003. p. 1. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  6. ↑ Sides, Phyllis (May 18, 2004). "She's a fighter from Racine". Racine Journal Times . p. 1. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Same-party showdown highlights fall races". Wausau Daily Herald. July 14, 2004. p. 2. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. November 10, 2004. p. 11. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  9. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2004. p. 6. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  10. 1 2 Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 (Report). Wisconsin State Elections Board. December 1, 2008. p. 5. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  11. ↑ "About Lena". Lena C. Taylor, Wisconsin State Senate, 4th District. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved 2022-05-23– via Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "A Talk with State Senator Lena Taylor of Wisconsin!". MSNBC.com. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  13. ↑ Video of Wisconsin State Senator Compares Scott Walker to Hitler
  14. ↑ Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, says like Hitler, Gov. Scott Walker is abolishing unions
  15. ↑ Hitler Tweet Among Social Media Debate
  16. ↑ "Taylor Appointed Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance". Lena C. Taylor, Wisconsin State Senate, District 4. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  17. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. December 26, 2012. p. 4. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wisconsin Historical Society.
  18. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2016 Partisan Primary - 8/9/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. September 30, 2016. p. 7. Retrieved February 13, 2024– via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  19. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. p. 5. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  20. 1 2 Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. p. 4. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Lena Taylor steps up". The Capital Times . October 8, 2007. p. 8. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Walker headed for victory?". Wisconsin State Journal . March 30, 2008. p. 33. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Scott Walker a serious challenger?". Wisconsin State Journal . February 3, 2008. p. 16. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 Tabular Statement of the Votes Cast for County Executive at a Spring Election held in the several wards, villages, and election districts in the County of Milwaukee on the 1st day of April, 2008 (PDF) (Report). Milwaukee County Election Commission. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2024– via Wayback Machine.
  25. ↑ "Taylor formally announces mayoral run". Racine Journal Times . September 4, 2019. p. A6. Retrieved February 13, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ Dirr, Alison (18 February 2020). "State Sen. Lena Taylor to square off against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in April election". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  27. ↑ Dirr, Alison (13 April 2020). "Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett easily wins reelection in race against Lena Taylor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  28. 1 2 3 City of Milwaukee - Spring Primary - February 18, 2020 (Report). City of Milwaukee. 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  29. 1 2 City of Milwaukee - Spring Election - April 7, 2020 (Report). City of Milwaukee. 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  30. ↑ O'Donnell, Dan (April 9, 2018). "State Sen. Lena Taylor Cited for Disorderly Conduct'". WISN.
  31. ↑ Schmidt, Mitchell (October 5, 2021). "Democratic state Sen. Lena Taylor announces bid for lieutenant governor". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  32. ↑ Anderson, Andrea (2021-10-04). "Democratic state Sen. Lena Taylor running for lieutenant governor". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  33. ↑ "Lena Taylor Abandons Lieutenant Governor Bid". Wisconsin Public Radio . December 25, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  34. ↑ Caine, Patrick (December 26, 2021). "Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor to run for Mayor of Milwaukee". WTMJ (AM) . Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  35. ↑ 2022 Spring Primary - February 15, 2022 (Report). City of Milwaukee. February 15, 2022. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2024.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  36. ↑ Schwabe, Amy (December 10, 2022). "Sen. Lena Taylor will run for Milwaukee Municipal Court judge". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  37. ↑ Jannene, Jeramey (March 27, 2023). "Race For Municipal Judge Gets Little Attention". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  38. ↑ Dawson, Drew (April 5, 2023). "Molly Gena defeats Lena Taylor for Milwaukee municipal judge". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved April 6, 2023.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 18th district
2003–2005		Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 4th district
2005–2024		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by
Audrey Skwierawski
 Wisconsin Circuit Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 41
January 30, 2024 –present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.