Born and raised on Milwaukee’s North Side, David attended Milwaukee Public Schools and was an honors graduate of Bradley Tech High School.
As a teen and young adult, David completed Urban Underground’s youth leadership program and later become its Program Director while pursuing an undergraduate degree in Educational Policy and Community Studies at the University of Wisconsin-‐ Milwaukee. He is a National Americorps Service Alum, a two-‐time graduate of the Americorps program Public Allies, and a Legacy Foundation Youth Activism Fellow.
A nationally recognized trainer for intergenerational community improvement strategies, David served on the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Violence Prevention Initiative Steering Committee and the City of Milwaukee’s Homicide Review Commission.
In 2012, he was elected to the Milwaukee County Board as Supervisor for the 10th District, becoming the youngest member of the Board and one of the youngest Black elected officials in Milwaukee’s history. Bowen was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2015 to 2023.
Content referencing David Bowen - Page 2
Legislators Take No Action on Pandemic
Some states passing laws, funding, Vos and Fitzgerald say "no need" for Wisconsin Legislature to meet.
Mar 14th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Molson Coors Shooting Restarts Gun Debate
Democrat legislators speak up about gun safety reforms.
Mar 1st, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Controversial “Tougher on Crime” Bills Pass
Two parties split over the future of criminal justice. Democrats assail GOP for "fear mongering" legislation.
Feb 13th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
Milwaukee Legislators Target Racial Inequality
'Disrupting Disparities’ proposals by African American lawmakers include criminal justice reforms.
Dec 25th, 2019 by Rob Mentzer
More People Using Pot as Medicine
But state laws and research not yet on their side.
Nov 9th, 2019 by Shayli Kipnis
Evers Calls Special Session on Guns
Governor says only Vos and Fitzgerald prevent common sense gun reforms.
Oct 21st, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Newest Power Family
That would be developer Kalan Hayward, Sr. and young legislator Kalan Hayward II.
Aug 2nd, 2019 by Andrea Waxman
A $1 Million Fund To Support Northwest Side Startups
State contributes $500,000 match to Northwest Side CDC loan fund targeted at early stage companies.
Jul 12th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Democrats Celebrate at State Convention
Evers, Baldwin speak on how to win: don’t “get down into the mud with Republicans.”
Jun 3rd, 2019 by Laurel White
Wikler Is New Democratic Party Chair
MoveOn leader Ben Wikler defeats David Bowen, will replace Martha Laning.
Jun 3rd, 2019 by Laurel White
Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags
Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.
May 15th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
A New Generation of Political Leaders
GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.
May 6th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Legislators Clash on Black History Month
Republicans remove Colin Kaepernick from resolution, Rep. Bowen cries foul.
Feb 13th, 2019 by Laurel White
Will Referendums Lead to Legal Pot?
Some legislators hope for change after medical or fully legai pot approved in 18 local referendums.
Nov 16th, 2018 by Edgar Mendez
Groups Urge Yes Vote on Legal Pot
ACLU, MICAH, WJI, several legislators back advisory referendum to legalize marijuana.
Nov 2nd, 2018 by Edgar Mendez
Will Obama Visit Increase Black Turnout?
4,000 people attended, mostly North Side residents, whose votes could be critical.
Oct 30th, 2018 by Grace Connatser
4th Street Rededicated Vel R. Phillips Ave.
A who's who ceremony of politicians and candidates turns out to honor legacy of Vel Phillips.
Aug 7th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
No Choice in 36% of Legislative Races
Gerrymandering and decline in number of candidates leaves 2.5 million residents with no choice.
Jun 14th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Cannabis Marchers Demand Legalization
8th annual March for Cannabis draws 200 people and speeches from six candidates for governor.
May 7th, 2018 by Jack Fennimore
Celebrating the Sherman Park Neighborhood
City Hall event mixes personal histories of residents, architectural history project and dance.
Apr 12th, 2018 by Margaret Cannon
State Moving Downtown Offices
Will 27th and WI site be selected? State planning $50 million building.
Feb 9th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
Why I Support A $60 Vehicle Registration Fee
Without new revenue Milwaukee County will be forced to make significant service cuts.
Nov 2nd, 2017 by County Executive Chris Abele
Community Groups Want DOJ Police Reforms
Two months after DOJ draft report on MPD released, groups demand recommended changes.
Nov 1st, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
North Side Leaders Plead for Safe Driving
Reckless driving is plaguing the North Side, community leaders say.
Oct 16th, 2017 by Elliot Hughes
Black Officials Canvass Amani Neighborhood
Gwen Moore, LaTonya Johnson and David Crowley do doors, hoping to increase turnout.
Oct 9th, 2017 by Alexandria Bursiek
The Many Broken Promises of Foxconn
Why give away billions to a company that can’t be trusted?
Aug 20th, 2017 by State Rep. David Bowen
Grassroots Group Targets Sheriff Clarke
But Clarke calls group’s leaders “mush-minds” and “rabble rousers.”
Aug 14th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Black Leaders React to Smith Verdict
Calling for peace after acquittal of officer who shot Sylville Smith.
Jun 23rd, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
City Residents Meet With Assembly Committee
Residents must drive neighborhood revitalization, grassroots leaders insist.
Jun 9th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
A Call for Clean Water
Community leaders push city to rid Milwaukee's water of lead.
May 6th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Toxic Chemicals Worry Residents
Problems with chemical disposals by factory near 25th and Hampton.
Mar 29th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Brostoff Arrest Raises Questions
State rep says police focus must change; Police say Ald. Rainey asked them to be there.
Sep 2nd, 2016 by Jabril Faraj
“I Am 53206”
Young people from MICAH march for equality in city’s most impoverished and segregated zip code.
Jun 28th, 2016 by Andrea Waxman
Corrections Officials Face Community on Lincoln Hills
Attendees demand accountability, action, in wake of Lincoln Hills scandal.
Jun 22nd, 2016 by Jabril Faraj
How to Combat Mass Incarceration
Federal bill would reform system. Sen. Baldwin supports it. Will Sen. Johnson?
Jun 17th, 2016 by Mark Rice
How to Destroy a Transit System
County board's free bus ride program triggers huge deficits that could overwhelm system.
May 24th, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Black Leaders Talk About Barrett
How has the mayor succeeded -- and failed -- in serving African American neighborhoods.
Apr 4th, 2016 by Laura Thompson
Harvard Author Explains Plague of Evictions
At Boswell Books, MacArthur "Genius" discusses 16,000 people in city evicted annually.
Mar 11th, 2016 by Allison Dikanovic
Youth Tell DOJ About Police Abuse
Department of Justice listening sessions here suggest Milwaukee has problems.
Mar 10th, 2016 by Jimmy Gutierrez
Is Free Pass Bleeding County Transit?
Controversial free GO Pass for seniors and disabled costs millions, awaits new report.
Mar 2nd, 2016 by Jeramey Jannene
Can Larson Beat Abele?
Democratic insiders handicap the race, which may come down to turnout.
Feb 29th, 2016 by Steven Walters
Crisis of Gun Violence Calls for Action
City is hurting and common sense reforms by legislature could help.
Dec 23rd, 2015 by State Rep. David Bowen
CEO Pay Drives Inequality, Researcher Finds
Data on Milwaukee CEOs discussed at UWM summit on inequality.
Dec 1st, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
Black Leaders Demand Changes to Address Poverty
State and county criticized for not addressing high city poverty and black unemployment.
Oct 15th, 2015 by Jabril Faraj
County Free Bus-Ride Program Faces Shortfall
Free rides for seniors and disabled could cost $4 million, causing service cuts or fare hikes.
Sep 28th, 2015 by Graham Kilmer
The Transformation of Johnsons Park
A huge number of partners and foundations have combined to transform an inner-city park that once fostered crime.
Jun 30th, 2015 by Jack Fennimore
Anti-Chisholm Candidate Fails to Get On Ballot
Monique Taylor sought open county supervisor seat to run against Gwen Moore’s son, but didn’t get enough signatures.
Jan 19th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Chisholm Decision Triggers Controversy
DA decides not to charge officer who killed mentally ill man, leaving community divided over issue.
Dec 22nd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Another Bad Transit Plan By County Board
Amendment slipped into budget has had no public review and could leave system $1 million short (or worse) by end of 2015.
Nov 6th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Abele Goes O-fer On Election Night
Sheriff Clarke wins democratic primary. Plus: The rest of election night's winners and losers.
Aug 13th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Finally, a New Park East Plan
Ten years later, the city and county are finally on the same page. Is development in the area ready to "explode"?
Jun 10th, 2014 by Jeramey Jannene
Will Waukesha Be Less Hostile to Milwaukee?
Defeat of Mayor Jeff Scrima could mean better relations between the two cities.
Apr 3rd, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
The Other Mandela
The fundraiser for Rep. Mandela Barnes, just two days before his namesake Nelson Mandela died, had a big turnout.
Dec 8th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Mapping Milwaukee for Teens
New project hopes to map 325 activities and resources in the city for bored teens.
Aug 20th, 2013 by Maggie Quick
Why Kimberly Walker Was Fired
The county board had ample grounds for dismissing the Corporation Counsel.
Jun 28th, 2013 by Dominique Paul Noth
The Moody Blues
With the closing of Moody Pool, the city's North Side now has half the number of public pools as the South Side.
Dec 4th, 2012 by Edgar Mendez
County Board Junks Bus Fare Proposal
Proposal to kill transfers and cut fares suddenly lost its supporters.
Oct 29th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
The County’s Paradoxical Transit Proposal
A proposal to lower cash fares for county buses could actually increase the cost for many riders.
Oct 24th, 2012 by Jeramey Jannene
Rich Park, Poor Park
Milwaukee County Parks is increasingly a two-tier system, with the worst maintained parks in poor areas.
Sep 14th, 2012 by Bruce Murphy
