Statement From Rep. Chris Taylor on Not Seeking Re-Election to the State Legislature in 2020

MADISON – Today, Rep. Chris Taylor, after almost a decade of serving in the state Assembly, announced that she will not seek re-election to the state Assembly or election to any other legislative seat in 2020.  Rep. Taylor issued the following statement:

“Serving in the state legislature and representing the people of my community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.  I have been humbled by the trust my district has placed in me, and it has been a true privilege to serve in some of the most difficult and divisive political times in our state’s history, including during this COVID-19 crisis. I thank my community and all of the amazing people I have met on this journey.

When I first was elected to the legislature in 2011, I promised myself that it would not change who I am. But the truth is when people share their most personal stories with you, sometimes their most intimate details of suffering in order to convey the necessity of a policy or bill, it does change you, as it should. I am eternally grateful for all that I learned from my constituents and colleagues, as it is through them that I became a more compassionate and persistent advocate. They also reaffirmed for me again and again that people need government on their side.

I promised the people of my community that I would always stand up for them, and I believe I was true to this promise. I tried never to shy away from important albeit controversial issues while vocally advocating for the people of my community, and the progressive values and traditions that built our great state.  Along the way, I am proud of the many important laws I assisted in advancing, including establishing open records standards for the use of police body cameras, passing an address confidentiality program for victims of sexual and domestic violence, and a first in the nation law to require independent investigations after a police shooting of a civilian.

I never dreamt that I would run for public office, but I always aspired to advance social justice and equity issues.  My early dream was to be a civil rights attorney, which lead me to law school, practicing law and working for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

I made the unlikely decision to run for the legislature in 2011 because I saw the most precious values I held dear under attack, and I wanted better for my community, the people of this state, and our children. My younger son was a baby at that time and my older son was just 4 years old.  Now my baby is 9 ½ years old and my older son is a teenager. I cannot begin to catalog the innumerable sacrifices my children and husband have made to support me in serving in the legislature, and I thank them for their unwavering love and support. But as their needs have changed, my work life also needs to shift to reprioritize my family.

We are all facing a very uncertain and scary time as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our state and nation. I want my constituents to know that although I am making this announcement today, as their elected representative, I will continue to fight for them and for the relief the people and families of our state desperately need.

There is still much more I want to accomplish on the long march to a more just, equitable society. I will continue to use all that I have learned throughout my career as an attorney, advocate and legislator to keep pressing towards that world.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.