Mayoral Race Headlines Primary Election
Plus: Three aldermanic races and a county supervisor contest.
Vote here sign outside a Milwaukee polling place. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
It’s time to grab your ID and head to the polls. There is an election Tuesday.
Though all eyes are on Wisconsin’s role in the November presidential election, Milwaukee voters can go to the polls this spring to reshape who leads city and county government.
Tuesday’s primary election will narrow the field to two candidates in five races, with many more winner-take-all contests between two candidates to follow on April 2. Only races with three or more candidates appear on the primary ballot.
All city of Milwaukee voters will find a three-way race for mayor on the ballot. Incumbent Cavalier Johnson is vying for a full four-year term against two challengers.
But voters in three select areas of Milwaukee will also find a legislative race on their ballot. On the southwest side, there is a three-way race to replace retiring alderman Mark Borkowski. In the north-central portion of the city, there is a four-way race to replace alderman Khalif Rainey, who opted not to run for reelection after two terms. After winning a 2023 special election, Lamont Westmoreland also faces two challengers in his bid for a full term.
The final race will appear on the ballot for residents of the city’s far northwest side. Incumbent Deanna Alexander faces two challengers to retain her seat on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
All of the races are non-partisan, with individuals not declaring a party affiliation.
Want to see what’s on your ballot and where to vote? Visit MyVote Wisconsin to see your polling place and access a sample ballot.
Below you’ll find basic information provided by the candidate and a link to any available campaign resources. If you click on their name you’ll be brought to any stories written about the candidate. Candidate names are listed in alphabetical order.
Mayor
Biography requested
Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s commitment to his city began at an early age.
At 14 years old, he was selected by the YMCA to participate in a pre-college program for low-income MPS students. That very same program, Sponsor-A-Scholar, solidified his life commitment to community service and making Milwaukee better for future generations.
Growing up, his family moved frequently, and until middle school Cavalier attended a different MPS school almost every year. He has faced violence, evictions, food insecurity — all the challenges attendant to urban poverty. After graduating Bay View High School, Cavalier earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison and then returned home to work for the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), now Employ Milwaukee. His focus area there included working with at-risk youth, youth entering the workforce for the first time, and adults retooling to enter the workforce.
Before being elected Alderman, he also served Milwaukee through working in the Mayor’s Office, where he worked diligently with community and faith leaders to find creative solutions to some of Milwaukee’s most pressing issues facing families from all walks of life.
Cavalier remains deeply committed to the community, having served on the boards of the Milwaukee YMCA, ACLU-Wisconsin and Milwaukee Community Brainstorming Conference.
Cavalier and his wife, Dominique, have one son and twin daughters and live on Milwaukee’s north side.
David D. King is the founder of Wisconsin God Squad. A Milwaukee native, David’s service to his fellow man began after high school, when David became a “neighborhood security aid,” which consisted of patrolling city neighborhoods and assisting the elderly. By 1983, he was managing restaurants with “million-dollar sales,” positions which enabled him to provide jobs to people who had difficulty securing employment. David has become well-known throughout the Milwaukee area for his engagement with business leaders and community groups through his community work and founding of several community service organizations. Including Mountain of the Lord House (a transitional living facility for men), The Lord’s House of Rest (a transitional home for single mothers), Win a Soul Ministries (a place to go for those seeking spiritual encouragement and support), S.W.E.E.P. Community Justice Center (Soldiers, Walking, Evangelizing, and Empowering People), and the Milwaukee God Squad (a community improvement organization with ten units, each with a different focus, so that the talents and interests of volunteers can be matched with the needs of the community). David is the owner of KBS (Kingdom Business Solutions), New Look On Life, he is also the President of the Milwaukee Chapter FGBMFI and also the Great Lake Regional Director for the FGBMFI. David just received his Doctor of Theology from Grace Theological Seminary in May 2021. David King is now Coach King, he is the Head Basketball Coach for Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School.
5th District Council Seat
Stacy grew up in Milwaukee’s 53206 area code, 1 of 11 children, to a single mother. Stacy was in and out of the foster care system in Milwaukee most of his child and teens years. A lack of stability, support and proper guidance led him on a rough path in his younger years. Stacy’s story is similar to a lot of kids who grow up in our city and get lost in the system without a voice.
Yet, Stacy’s story is that of triumph and hope in showing that despite where you come from, even the smallest voice can one day be heard. Stacy was able to find his path, received his associate degree in quality management from Waukesha County Technical College, and recently received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University, where he was one of the three speakers in the commencement ceremony.
Stacy’s first career was in the manufacturing sector, where for 17 years he worked his way up through various positions, eventually becoming Quality Manager overseeing several plants. His personal experience with housing instability installed a passion in him for affordable housing and financial literacy, which led to his second career in real estate.
Stacy is President and Managing Broker of Dream Investment Holdings, LLC located in Milwaukee, WI. He sits on several real estate boards and committees all on a local, state and national level. He is the architect and one of two founding members for the Milwaukee chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. Called the Greater Milwaukee Board of REALTIST, it is the only professional association dedicated to African American real estate professionals and their communities.
Stacy has a passion for empowering others, creating community and looking for creative solutions to address the heart of a problem. His grassroots campaign stands on a foundation of equity by ensuring everyone has access to the resources and knowledge they need to create a thriving life for themselves and for their families. He believes in shifting the status quo in hopes of better representation within our government and inspiring those with nontraditional political backgrounds to understand their voices matter.
Stacy currently resides and owns a home in the Arlington Gardens neighborhood with his wife, Xavier, and 3 children, Andrew, Micah and Londyn.
Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, a lifelong resident of the City of Milwaukee, was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in a special election on April 4, 2023 in his first bid for public office. In addition to serving the great citizens of the 5th District, Alderman Westmoreland also serves on the Public Safety and Health Committee, the Public Works Committee, and is a Commissioner on the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee.
Prior to public service, Alderman Westmoreland spent time combating food insecurity in the Milwaukee area with Hunger Task Force, educating Milwaukeeans on the various state assistance programs to alleviate various life shortfalls. Westmoreland also spent several years with one of the Nation’s top SBA Lenders, Byline Bank, helping small businesses in the Milwaukee area and across the U.S. secure funding. Funding ranged from $100,000 to $5 million for uses from acquisitions, expansions, new construction and franchise start-ups. A former small business owner himself, Lamont founded a professional coating business that he operated throughout the greater Milwaukee area before running for Alderman.
Alderman Westmoreland graduated from Wauwatosa East High School before studying Business Management at ITT Technical Institute in Greenfield.
In addition to the passion he has for the City of Milwaukee, Alderman Westmoreland is a proud father of two children, Julian and Farrah, and husband to wife Samantha. They reside in the Nash Park neighborhood. Being a basketball junkie, he is a devoted fan of the Milwaukee Bucks. He is currently a W.I.A.A. Master Level basketball official entering his 15th season.
With his vision, passion, and heart for people, Lamont felt called to public service and remains dedicated to his community both within and beyond his capacity as Alderman of the 5th District.
I have lived at my current location my whole entire life 55 years. My father purchased the property when it was town of Granville. It’s has been a hobby farm. We used to have black Angus cows when I was growing up. I went to Milwaukee Public Schools. I also went to MATC and took Automotive servicing along with mechanics and took auto body when I was in high school. I worked at Kmart as an auto mechanic doing oil changing and tires as one of my first jobs then I got a job working at Bultman Trucking also as a mechanic. I also worked at Al’s auto. I owned Hollywood Knights Limousine Service that l did until the housing market crash and people were not using limos like they did before. I went to work for Gessler Auto and then to Price transport. I have also worked for Milwaukee County Highway Department, plowing snow and highway maintenance. Now I work on the farm. We do a haunted cornfield in October, and I work as a sub hauler transporter. I’m willing to devote my time to our District if elected alderman to help make sure that our taxes don’t go up and that we don’t get charged extra fees, just because we live in the city. There’s a lot of people on fixed incomes that are retiring and do not have extra money to move somewhere else. Some love where they live and should not have to move because they cannot afford to stay.
The reason why I’m running for office is because I feel my neighbors were unfairly treated when the city decided to approve a 300000+ square foot warehouse, to be built directly behind their property (115th & good hope road). The city gave this business $2.4 million to relocate from Wauwatosa to Milwaukee, but there wasn’t going to be any city funding when Sam’s club wanted to build there.
When I went to go out and get signatures to be nominated to be an alderperson, I talk to a lot of different people in different areas of our district. There are a lot of people interested in seeing the roads and alleys repaired and are concerned about reckless driving, speeding, car break in’s and stolen vehicles in the city, and would like more police presence.
I am not for expanding the streetcar with any city or TIF funding. A lot of people do not see all the other cost of running the streetcar like cleaning the tracks, especially when it snows to make sure it does not derail, and a safety concern is for bicyclist and motorcyclist that are on the route. We have enough other things that we need to fix like the water laterals to houses and other buildings, that have lead pipes. I’d be interested in finding a way that the city would have a pool of vehicles, that city departments could check out, so they wouldn’t have to go back and forth across town, like dump trucks, construction vehicles, even regular cars that can be used by different City Departments
Bio from 2023 special election campaign
7th District Council Seat
A resilient young woman rewriting her story against all odds. As a homeless teen mom and high school dropout, Jessica faced challenges that would have left many defeated, but her spirit, courage, and determination shine as a light of hope!
‘I am excited to announce my candidacy for Alderperson, driven by a passionate commitment to address the pressing issues that matter most to our community: speeding, education, and crime. I believe in the power of positive change, and I’m dedicated to making the 7th District a safer, smarter, and more vibrant place to live.’
Kenneth Hughes is a native of Milwaukee and has been a resident of the 7th District since 1999. As a husband, Pastor, and business man he understands the day to day problems and challenges that plague our community. He has fresh ideas with practical solutions.
DiAndre Jackson is a true embodiment of Milwaukee’s spirit and resilience.
A proud graduate of Bay View High School, DiAndre showcased his drive by purchasing his first home immediately after graduation. He sustained himself in his early career through property management and further refined his skills via the Milwaukee BIG-STEP program.
In 2008, DiAndre began his career with Master Lock, where he didn’t just work — he championed the rights of his fellow employees. As an active member of the UAW, he still holds his membership with UAW Local 469. Throughout his tenure, he has served in numerous leadership roles, including shop steward, Executive Board member, Chair of the Civil and Human Rights Committee, Trustee, and he played a pivotal role in negotiating the final contract as Master Lock prepared to close its doors in Milwaukee.
Community and service are at the heart of DiAndre’s beliefs. For years, he has organized the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Program for the UAW, directing its proceeds to sponsor tours for local high school students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) to expose them to this important option for college.
His commitment to community action is further reflected in his roles in the Wisconsin State UAW Citizenship and Legislative Committee, the Executive Board of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, his chairmanship of the Milwaukee Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and his membership in the National Executive Council and the Democratic and Labor Round Table.
Volunteerism is in DiAndre’s core. From leading successful Apprenticeship weeks and neighborhood clean-ups to tirelessly volunteering for election and political activities, he believes in hands-on community transformation.
Above all his achievements, DiAndre prides himself on being a devoted single father and beams with pride for his son, also a proud union member.
Biography requested
11th District Council Seat
Peter grew up in Wauwatosa, attended Marquette University High School and graduated from the University of Louisville (BA Political Science). Prior to joining the mortgage industry, he was executive director for the non-profit Latvian Center Garezers in Michigan and owned a restaurant in Louisville, KY. A mortgage professional since 2004, he returned to Milwaukee in 2011. He is active in the non-profit community and enjoys supporting good causes and local businesses. Peter has two nieces and two nephews- two who attend UW schools; he resides in the south side of Milwaukee with his beagle, Booker.
He is currently a Milwaukee County Board Supervisor representing the 15th District and member of the Finance Committee, Transportations and Transit Committee, Community, Environment, and Economic Development Committee, Personnel Committee, and Appointed to Milwaukee Transport Services Board. He is also: appointed to SEWRPC Advisory Committee on Regional Land Use and Transportation Planning; Rotary Club of Milwaukee Member; Cream City Foundation: Board Member since 2018; Wisconsin Latvian Cultural Foundation: Board Chair since 2018, Past Treasurer 2012 – 2018; Latvian Lutheran Holy Trinity Church of Milwaukee trustee since 2012; Wisconsin Mortgage Banker Association, State Legislative Committee since 2017
Supervisor Burgelis lists his accomplishments on the County Board to include cutting property taxes for the first time since 1992, fixing justice system vacancies and wages, funding a new playground at Lyons Park, transplanting trees from the old County hospital to Mitchell Boulevard Park, adding traffic calming to Washington Park’s renamed roadway, renegotiating development agreements for Harley Park and a foreclosed factory, and adding $300K to the County Parks budget for 2024 summer aquatics needs to open as many pools as possible.
Burgelis said: “Whether meeting neighbors going door-to-door or at my Town Halls last week, I’m proud to get support from both liberals and conservatives because local elections aren’t partisan- we don’t have Republican snowplows or Democratic potholes in Milwaukee. Voters expect our electeds to fight for what’s right and for what improves our neighborhoods and quality of life. I’ve delivered for my constituents as County Supervisor and I’ll do the same for the 11th District as Alderman.”
Biography requested
Josh Zepnick was born and raised on Milwaukee’s South Side and has been a Jackson Park neighborhood resident for about 20 years. Zepnick was the first in his family to attend college and complete graduate school. He graduated from Rufus King High School in 1986, obtained his bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison 1990, and his Master’s Degree in State/Local Government from the University of Minnesota 1999.
As a State Legislator, Josh Zepnick fought for increasing shared revenue aid to the city of Milwaukee, funding for local road repairs and better transit, major job creation and workforce development initiatives bringing thousands of good-paying jobs to our city. He also worked to expand funding for mental health, AODA, and persons with disabilities.
uring my time serving in the Wisconsin Legislature, I was privileged to be named to the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment. I was appointed by Democratic Governor Jim Doyle and reappointed by Republican Governor Scott Walker. I can work with both sides of the political aisle–and as your next Alderman, I believe in using common sense, spending taxpayer dollars responsibly, and not getting sidetracked with partisan politics or personality contests.
The City of Milwaukee, like many other local governments, faces a dire need to hire and retain its workforce: police, fire/EMT, nurses, teachers, snow plow and sanitation drivers, IT and administrative positions.
Milwaukee is hiring and we need to prepare our future workforce to help tackle the many challenges our city faces.
While serving in the Legislature, I helped move the Workforce Investment Board away from County government where it languished under toxic, ineffective politics and poor management. Since that time, the city of Milwaukee has leveraged millions of Federal and state dollars to invest in our economy and help people prepare for new jobs.
I also co-chaired a task force that directed Federal funding to help persons with disabilities keep their health insurance coverage while in training or starting new employment along with incentives for employers to hire disabled workers. As someone who grew up with a disabled sister, I know firsthand how important it is to make sure that each of us can reach our potential and participate in the workforce.
18th District County Board Seat
I’ve been honored to serve as your 18th District County Supervisor, representing over 50,000 residents in the northwest corner of Milwaukee.
As you may recall, you first elected me as your representative in 2012 and after multiple winning elections and eight years of service, I resigned in 2020 so I could honor my term-limit oath to you. I left office and invested my professional time working as a Village Administrator, Clerk, and Treasurer. Two years later, in 2022, I was called by many and asked to return to my former role of County Supervisor. I answered that call, and with your monumental support was re-elected by write-in campaign to go back to county government to represent you again.
When you vote in spring, will be asked to again select the person best suited to represent our district in the coming 2024-2026 term. As a veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, a woman who grew up with a parent in prison and family members with addiction issues and knows what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet, a mother who has adopted through foster care, a taxpayer that is frustrated with rising taxes, and a public servant that has a record of walking through fire to turn government toward better public service, I hope to earn your support and your vote. If you have any particular concerns about county government, I hope you will reach out to me for a conversation.
Marty Hagedorn
Marty Hagedorn is a trusted and committed activist, organizer, and advocate for underdeveloped and disenfranchised communities. Born and raised on the northwest side of Milwaukee, his passion for building and supporting strong, responsible, and co-operative communities through education has led him into a career in the classroom as a public school educator.
Marty Hagedorn is a graduate of Rufus-King High School with a Bachelors in Community Education and Engagement from UW-Milwaukee, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from UW-Madison. He has brought that learning to new generations both in the classroom and in local organizing work with groups like Youth Rising Up! and Wisconsin Jobs Now!
As County Supervisor for District 18, Marty will bring the experience and trust he has earned from work in organizing and education to advance our values and interests with honesty and open communication.
Working in public education, Marty Hagedorn has focused on protecting the future of our youth and our community with an emphasis on fairness. In his role as a technical education teacher, he works to equip students with skills needed to enter trades, and secure apprenticeship opportunities in construction and manufacturing. Content in the classroom is geared towards providing opportunities for both service and prosperity for young people.
I want to see a county where every resident has the opportunity to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. One way to achieve this is by using Milwaukee County resources effectively. Extended biography requested
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Why is there no information on the 10th Aldermanic district?
@Jevans – There are only two candidates in the contest, so it won’t appear on ballots until the April 2 election.
Is Marty Hagedorn related to Justice Brian Hagedorn?