Ryan Clancy Launches Campaign For State Assembly

Milwaukee County Supervisor Ryan Clancy is running for an open seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Clancy, who identifies as a socialist, is running as a Democrat for the 19th Assembly District, which includes the East Side, Downtown, Historic Third Ward, easternmost edge of Riverwest and much of Bay View. Democrats have a 56-point margin over Republicans in the district.

The supervisor is vying to replace Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, who announced in April he was running for a seat on the Milwaukee Common Council instead of re-election.

The outgoing representative is already endorsing Clancy. “Ryan has a proven track record as an advocate for public education, a legislator, and as someone who will fight for our community,” said Brostoff in a statement. “I look forward to seeing him bring that experience to the Assembly.” Brostoff joined state Senator Chris Larson, whose district includes the assembly district, at a Saturday kickoff for Clancy’s campaign.

Clancy was first elected to the county board in 2020 and ran unopposed for re-election this year. A long-time political activist, the supervisor has sponsored Right to Shelter legislation for those facing homelessness, Right to Counsel legislation that provides attorneys for those facing eviction, a paid parental leave policy for country employees and a number of measures to change the practices of the Milwaukee County Sheriff‘s Office and House of Correction. In a press release announcing his candidacy, he said the legislation he has championed is focused on “dismantling the exploitative harm of capitalism.”

The supervisor told Urban Milwaukee he would continue to serve in both roles if elected to the assembly, at least for the remainder of his county board term.

“We’ve done a lot, but we still have a great deal to accomplish for the residents of Milwaukee County,” said Clancy. “These are complementary positions; my experience on the County Board will enable me to be a more effective advocate for residents at the state level.”

Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, elected to the assembly in November 2020, maintained her board post until her term expired last month. Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, elected to the Assembly in the same election as Ortiz-Velez, resigned his board seat in December 2020. Clancy noted that Supervisor Sequanna Taylor has also served on both the county board and school board simultaneously.

“Indeed, as someone familiar with how the county and the state overlap and, sometimes, conflict, I would be able to be more effective as a legislator and advocate in both seats,” said Clancy. He said he was focused on advancing efforts related to harm reduction, restoring jail visitation access and converting the county’s vehicle fleet to be fully electric.

Base pay for the Assembly is currently $50,950 per year. A Milwaukee County supervisor is paid $25,924, a part-time salary based on a 2014 referendum.

Clancy co-owns Bounce Milwaukee, a restaurant and entertainment venue, with his wife Becky Cooper-Clancy, with the latter serving as the operating partner. The couple has five children. Clancy holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Beloit College and a master’s degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding from California State University.

Like Brostoff’s initial 2014 election, the overwhelming Democratic lean of the district means the winner is likely to be decided in the August primary, not the November general election. Candidates have until June 1 to submit the requisite nominating signatures to appear on the ballot. A primary will be required if two or more candidates of the same party file to run.

A primary election would be held Aug. 9. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8.

The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court redistricting ruling almost ended Clancy’s campaign before it started. The southern boundary of the assembly district was previously E. Oklahoma Ave., but the legislature’s adopted redistricting plan moves it approximately a half-mile north to E. Russell Ave., just a few blocks south of Clancy’s home. The area to the south is represented by Christine Sinicki.

Brostoff’s decision to give up the seat can be traced back to Tom Barrett‘s appointment to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg (and Joe Biden‘s election as President). Barrett’s mayoral replacement, Cavalier Johnson, is appointing his first former council colleague Nik Kovac as budget director. Kovac is expected to resign in the coming weeks, triggering a fall special election.

Eric Rorholm, who previously told Urban Milwaukee he is considering a run for the open council seat, joined Clancy at his kickoff event. Also present were recently elected supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez and assembly candidate Darrin Madison Jr. Madison is running to replace David Bowen, who is giving up his seat to run for lieutenant governor. The new 10th Assembly District includes Shorewood, Glendale and the northeast corner of Milwaukee.

Clancy has a pending lawsuit against the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and their respective law enforcement agencies for his May 31, 2020 arrest for violating the city’s curfew instituted after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. The supervisor regularly serves as an observer for the American Civil Liberties Union. Elected officials were exempt from the curfew and Urban Milwaukee observed Clancy repeatedly identify himself as such while being placed into a police van.

UPDATE: An earlier version of this article said the 10th Assembly District includes a portion of Fox Point. It includes Glendale, not Fox Point.