Sharlen Moore Wins Race To Replace Ald. Michael Murphy

Sharlen Moore. Photo by Kalida Williams Photography.

For the first time since 1989, voters on Milwaukee’s West Side will have a new voice at Milwaukee City Hall.

Sharlen Moore handily won a race to replace longtime Alderman Michael Murphy in the city’s 10th Council District. Moore earned 72% of the vote.

“Since my family emigrated to Wisconsin from Jamaica, Milwaukee has provided countless opportunities that have nurtured us. Arriving as a young girl, I have committed my life to service, and giving back to our City that has given so much to me,” said Moore in a statement after this article was first posted. “Without the voters of the 10th District, and the tireless help of my family, volunteers, and supporters, this campaign would have not been possible. Being a newly elected member of the Common Council will afford me the privilege to ensure that residents of the 10th District, and those across our City, have access to the support and opportunities that they deserve. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Common Council to ensure that Milwaukee is an ideal place to raise a family, buy a home, start a business, and live in peace. I pledge to work in partnership with residents across our district to find solutions to our most pressing challenges, and ensure that their needs are not only heard but promptly addressed.”

Moore, the executive director of the nonprofit Urban Underground youth organization, was viewed as the likely winner going into the election. What once looked like it could be a four- or five-way race never materialized, leaving her as the lone opponent to frequent office seeker Richard Geldon.

Geldon had run several times against Murphy, including in each of the past three elections. Murphy, who is retiring from public office, endorsed Moore in the week leading up to the election. Geldon pulled in 27.2% of the vote.

Urban Underground, founded by Moore and her husband Reggie in 2000, provides youth and teen programming with a focus on building safe and sustainable communities. Among the program’s notable alumni are County Executive David Crowley.

Moore’s family is no stranger to politics. Her brother David Bowen previously served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Additionally, Moore’s husband Reggie served as the director of the Office of Violence Prevention within the Milwaukee Health Department before leaving to take a statewide role with the Medical College of Wisconsin.

The Moore family lives in the Merrill Park neighborhood at the eastern edge of the district, which runs west to the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The voting age population of the 10th District, according to 2021 redistricting data, is 55% white, 29% Black, 9.4% Hispanic and 3.5% Asian.

Moore is one of at least three new council members that will be elected Tuesday.

The 15 council members are elected to four-year terms and paid $84,205 annually. Their job responsibilities include everything from setting policy for the city to fielding constituent concerns with garbage pickup.