Russell Goodwin

Last updated
Russell Goodwin
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2025
Children5 with Niquelle Brimmer
3 stepchildren
Residence(s)Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Website Campaign website

Russell Antonio Goodwin Sr. is an American pastor and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 12th Assembly district since 2025. He previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 2020 to 2022.

Contents

Early life and career

Russell Goodwin was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating from Shorewood High School. [1] [2] Goodwin has authored several religious-themed books, and worked as a music producer. He was a founder of Christians United on the Move Church in Milwaukee, now the Movement Center Church, where he still serves as senior pastor. He received an honorary doctorate in divinity in 2015. [3]

Political career

Goodwin made his first bid for public office in 2014, running for Wisconsin State Assembly in a challenge against incumbent Democrat Fred Kessler, but failed to make the ballot. He then ran a write-in campaign for the Republican primary, but fell short of the 1,000 write-in votes needed to make the general election ballot. [4] He received three write-in votes in the general election. [5] [6]

In 2019, Goodwin announced that he would run for the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, to succeed supervisor Deanna Alexander, who was not running for re-election. In announcing his campaign, Goodwin said he would dedicate his campaign to the memory of Pastor Silvia Hughes-Twari, who had been killed by a vehicle that was fleeing from Milwaukee police. [2] He was elected without opposition. [7]

In seeking re-election in 2022, Goodwin failed to collect enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot for county board. A number of signatures were disqualified because the signers did not reside in his county board district; Goodwin also suggested that door-to-door signature collection was hampered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately for Goodwin, however, no other candidate had planned to run against him, leaving the seat open to a write-in contest. [8] Goodwin sought re-election via write-in, but was defeated by the write-in campaign of his predecessor, Deanna Alexander. [9] In the days after the election, Goodwin initially called for protests at Alexander's home over previous statements that he characterized as racist and anti-LGBT, [10] but later canceled the planned protest. [11]

In December 2022, Goodwin announced a run for Milwaukee Common Council, to succeed Chantia Lewis who had been removed from office as part of a plea agreement. [12] [13] Ultimately seven other candidates also entered the race. [14] Goodwin finished fourth in the nonpartisan primary, behind Odell Ball, the husband of Milwaukee County sheriff Denita Ball, and Milwaukee Public Schools teachers Larresa Taylor and Amber Danyus. [15]

In early 2024, state representative LaKeshia Myers, who had succeeded Fred Kessler in the 12th Assembly district, announced she would forgo re-election in order to run for Wisconsin Senate. Goodwin announced he would seek the Democratic Party's nomination to succeed Myers in the State Assembly. [16] In the overwhelmingly Democratic district, Goodwin won the primary with just 32.6% of the vote. [17] In the general election, Goodwin faced a rematch with his 2022 county board opponent, Deanna Alexander, who was running as an independent. Goodwin easily prevailed in this election, however, receiving over 80% of the vote. [18]

Personal life and family

Russell Goodwin has been married three times. His first wife was Niquelle Brimmer; they had five children together, (they lost a set twins due to a miscarriage) before divorcing in 2009. [19] He subsequently married Decorah M. Gordon; they divorced in 2013. [20] Goodwin then married Misty Dawn Parker and is stepfather to her three children. [1]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2014)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2014 General [21] Nov. 4 Fred Kessler (inc.) Democratic 16,49497.94%Russell Goodwin (write-in) Rep. 30.02%16,84116,491

Wisconsin Assembly (2024)

YearElectionDateElectedDefeatedTotalPlurality
2024 Primary [17] Aug. 13Russell A. Goodwin Democratic 1,70532.66%Brandon Williford Dem. 1,52929.29%5,221310
Katrina Blossom Morrison Dem. 1,39526.72%
Decorah Gordon (withdrawn) Dem. 57310.97%
General [18] Nov. 5Russell A. Goodwin Democratic 18,39180.46%Deanna Alexander Ind. 4,33118.95%22,85614,060

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References

  1. 1 2 "Meet Russell". Goodwin For Assembly. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Rev. Dr. Russell Antonio Goodwin, Sr. Joins the Race to Replace Milwaukee County Supervisor Deanna Alexander". Vote Goodwin for Milwaukee (Press release). December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Urban Milwaukee.
  3. ↑ "Leadership". The Movement Center Church. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  4. ↑ Canvass Results for 2014 Fall Partisan Primary - 8/12/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. August 29, 2014. pp. 19–20. Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  5. ↑ "Write-in Russell Goodwin in the Republican Primary". Goodwin for State Rep. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  7. ↑ Milwaukee County - Spring Election - April 7, 2020 (Report). Milwaukee Election Commission. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  8. ↑ Goodwin, Russell A. (January 7, 2022). "Russell Antonio Goodwin, Sr. Announces His Write-In Candidacy for 2022 District 18 Milwaukee County Supervisor". Goodwin 4 Milwaukee (Press release). Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Urban Milwaukee.
  9. ↑ Kilmer, Graham (April 12, 2022). "County Board Races Finally Settled". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  10. ↑ Calvi, Jason (April 12, 2022). "Milwaukee County election loser urges protest at winner's home". WITI (TV) . Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Goodwin, Russell A. (April 13, 2022). "The Peaceful Protest Canceled against District 18 County Supervisor Elect-Republican Deanna Alexander". Goodwin 4 Milwaukee (Press release). Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Urban Milwaukee.
  12. ↑ Jannene, Jeramey (July 18, 2022). "Ald. Chantia Lewis Pleads Guilty, Removed From Office". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  13. ↑ Goodman, Russell A. (December 2, 2022). "Former Milwaukee County Supervisor Rev. Dr. Russell Antonio Goodwin, Sr. Announces Candidacy for District 9 Alderman". Goodwin For Milwaukee (Press release). Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Urban Milwaukee.
  14. ↑ Jannene, Jeramey (January 5, 2023). "More Than 15 Candidates Running For Three Council Seats". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  15. ↑ Milwaukee County - 2023 Spring Primary - February 21, 2023. Milwaukee Election Commission (Report). February 21, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  16. ↑ Kilmer, Graham (May 10, 2024). "Alexander, Goodwin Running For Same Assembly Seat". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  17. 1 2 County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2024. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  18. 1 2 County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Milwaukee County Case Number 2009FA004311 In RE the marriage of Russell A Goodwin Sr and Niquelle A Goodwin". Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Milwaukee County Case Number 2013FA003823 In RE the marriage of Decorah M Gordon and Russell A Goodwin". Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  21. ↑ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2024– via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded byMember of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 12th district
January 6, 2025 –present		Incumbent
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