MADISON, Wis. – Early voting begins Tuesday in a special primary to fill an empty state Senate seat representing north Milwaukee.
State Reps. Dora Drake and LaKeshia Myers, both Milwaukee Democrats already serving in the state Assembly, are facing off for the seat. The winner will end the term of former state Sen. Lena Taylor, who resigned earlier this year. The July 2 primary will almost certainly decide the race, as no Republicans have entered and the 4th Senate District has voted more than 80% Democratic in recent elections.
Both candidates are also running for a full Senate term during the general election and will face off again in Wisconsin‘s August primary.
TMJ4 Capitol reporter Harm Venhuizen sat down with each of them to talk about the race.
The questions and answers below have been edited for brevity.
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When asked about their differences, both candidates highlighted their willingness to talk and work across parties.
Venhuizen: “Both are Milwaukee Democrats with Assembly experience and have also advocated for many of the same priorities. What differences will voters see if they elect you to the Senate instead of your opponent?
Myers: “I would say that you activate your voice and express yourself at the beginning of a problem, you understand the problems immediately… There has to be someone who is willing to give a voice to the people who are at home, and I have been one of the people who were willing to give a voice to the people at home. able to do that. Even when I didn’t agree with the administration, I expressed it.”
Duck: “The difference is that I am a bridge builder. I know there are a lot of things that can divide us, and I think we’re seeing that play out in our local communities and nationally when it comes to our democracy. The difference is that I can stand up for what is right, but if there is something we can agree on, I am willing to work on it.”
Drake, a former social worker, said she is proud of her work helping implement vaping regulations in Wisconsin. She has also introduced bills on truancy and racial justice. Drake was first elected to the Assembly in 2020.
Myers, a former teacher, touted her work on education legislation. She has also introduced a bill to allow red light cameras in Milwaukee. Myers was first elected to the Assembly in 2018.
Venhuizen: “What legislation that you have written or worked on are you most proud of?”
Duck: “A law that had a lot of regulations added to it to catch some bad actors, but it was about public health and safety. According to the CDC, one in three high school students are known to vape. In Wisconsin, before this law was signed, it was not regulated at all. Because I pushed for that amendment that has now been signed into law, it is just the beginning of the fight for healthier outcomes not just for young people but for everyone.”
Myers: “Make sure we have equity in education. There were education bills that we were able to pass. I was able to help teachers who obtained their licenses out of state be able to come to Wisconsin more easily so we can have quality educators in front of our students.”
Both candidates share similar priorities.
Venhuizen: “What are your three main issues as a legislator?”
Myers:
· Reckless driving
· Health care
· School financing
Duck:
· Public security
· Mental health
· Equal access to economic opportunities
Wisconsin Legislature
A map of Wisconsin’s 4th Senate district.
Both candidates support Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ proposal. calls for a double audit of Milwaukee Public Schools amid the district’s ongoing financial reporting problems. Myers questioned the governor’s decision to turn to an outside audit agency, but Drake said he supports the decision not to use the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Office.
Venhuizen: “What needs to be done and what would you do as a state senator to address the current financial issues in Milwaukee Public Schools?”
Myers: “We need to have all stakeholders at the table. I think Governor Evers is right to call for a complete audit of the academic and financial side of the house, because one greatly affects the other. I was glad you mentioned that. Do I think an external audit agency should do it? Not necessarily. We have the Legislative Audit Office that could possibly do this job.”
Duck: “First of all, I think there needs to be an audit, and since news was coming out about MPS’s erroneous financial reporting, I was hoping that there would be some path or agreement between DPI and MPS, but I don’t even know what we are dealing. “I agree with Governor Evers that an audit needs to be done so we can see what the problem is and move forward making sure there is local control of our education system.”
Both Myers and Drake support President Joe Biden and his administration.
Venhuizen: “In November, this race will be on the ballot along with the presidential race. Do you support President Biden and does he believe he has done enough for the people of Milwaukee?
Duck: “Yes, I do and I think it is the best option for us as far as governance goes. When you look at his track record (him and Vice President Harris and what they’ve been able to accomplish during this administration), he’s amazing. It’s like they get down to business and just work.” … “There is no perfect president, but they can come close, and I think this administration has proven to be on the side of the public.”
Myers: “I am supporting President Biden and I believe that is the case. When President Biden was elected, a lot was happening in our country. We came after the January 6th insurrection and I think there was really a loss of trust on the part of a lot of people… This election really comes down to fighting for our democracy or erasing it completely. And with President Biden we have the infrastructure bill that was passed and a lot of funds that will come to Wisconsin.”
ATM4
When asked if they see representing Senate District 4 as a path to higher office, neither candidate ruled out the possibility.
Venhuizen: “Former Senator Lena Taylor served in the state Senate for nearly two decades. Do you see this office as a place she would like to stay potentially for decades, or is it a stepping stone to higher office?
Myers: “I have always said that I will remain in public office as long as the people accept me. When they say, ‘Okay, we’ve had enough,’ it’s time for me to go. I can’t predict the future, I don’t know. But I do see this position and this as an opportunity right now to serve in the Senate; “It has been a goal.”
Duck: “I think it’s too early to ask that, but what I will say is that I respect what Senator Taylor did for this community. His legacy lives on as someone who has fought for his people. I absolutely agree with that and, moving forward, I want to make sure that regardless of how long he is in this position, he is not only fighting for the people, but that I serve them as well.”
There have been controversies outside of each campaign. Earlier this month, Myers questioned Drake’s nomination forms because he had improperly used them for nonpartisan offices. Drake’s campaign had altered headings on nomination papers to indicate that she was affiliated with the Democratic Party. The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission unanimously rejected Myers’ challenge, keeping Drake on the ballot. Myers said she disagrees with that decision.
Venhuizen: “Why did you challenge Rep. Drake’s nomination papers and do you think she deserves to be on the ballot?”
Myers: “First there is legislation and then there is politics. In politics, you do what is necessary, and I thought that was necessary at the time of challenging the nomination papers… I still stand by that decision.”
Venhuizen: What is your response when Rep. Myers questioned your nomination forms?
Duck: “Frankly, it was frivolous. The form I used was correct, the header above was simply a clerical error we made. But that was also the same form approved by Wisconsin Elections Commission staff. So, I did my due diligence… I think it’s unfortunate that we spend time talking about this… I think it’s a better use of our time talking about the issues we advocate for and talking to our constituents than it is to fight over something so frivolous. “
He Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported last month that Myers left her job as dean of students in the Wauwatosa School District after being suspended amid an investigation into allegations of unprofessional conduct. Myers says she decided on her own to resign.
Venhuizen: “Why shouldn’t that be a concern for voters?”
Myers: “I see it as ‘reading between the lines.’ I will say this: I have been an educator for 17 years. I had never been written up, reprimanded or anything else until I came to the Wauwatosa School District. So, this was something that was built over time. There was dismay from people over the fact that I was a state representative and worked in Wauwatosa, and that’s where I’ll leave it.”
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