The Honorable Vel Phillips endorses District Attorney John Chisholm

MILWAUKEE – Former Wisconsin Secretary of State Vel Phillips, a legendary civil rights leader who was the first and only African American elected to a statewide office in Wisconsin, today announced her endorsement of John Chisholm for reelection as Milwaukee County District Attorney.

“John Chisholm has dedicated his career to serving justice, and he has my full support,” said Secretary Phillips, who also served as a Milwaukee alderman and judge, breaking barriers as a Black woman attorney. “John works every day for the victims of crime, and is also a strong advocate for the victims of generational poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness. His reforms have reduced the number of African-American men incarcerated from Milwaukee County, and he has advocated consistently for effective and humane alternatives to incarceration in our state juvenile justice system.”

“I am honored to receive Vel Phillips’s endorsement,” said Chisholm. “As an attorney, alderwoman, judge, and Secretary of State, she fought against institutional racism and demonstrated tremendous physical and moral courage in her struggle for justice. Secretary Phillips is admired for her investment in the lives of young people and I will honor her trust in me by continuing to fight for our youth, seeking solutions rooted in the needs of our community.”

Under Chisholm’s leadership, the office of the District Attorney has a 95% conviction rate in homicide cases, and has also championed community prosecution and alternatives to incarceration that break the cycle of prison, treat drug & alcohol addiction, and save taxpayer dollars. Chisholm has held public officials of both political parties accountable, and charged dozens of police officers with misconduct or crimes during his 10 years as the District Attorney. He has focused on effective prosecution of domestic violence cases and ensuring families have the services and support they need.

District Attorney John Chisholm, a veteran of the United States Army, was first elected in 2006. He has been very active in the community and serves on several local and national boards, including serving as past chairman of the Safe & Sound board of directors, the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area board, the Homicide Review Commission, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. Chisholm was also a member of Governor Doyle’s Racial Disparity Oversight Commission and is a member of the Harvard Executive Session on Community Corrections.

Chisholm was born in Milwaukee and is a graduate of Marquette University High School, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He lives in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood with his wife, Colleen, and teenage son, Ted. The Democratic primary election is Tuesday, August 9, 2016.

Citizens for Chisholm

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.