Wisconsin's Spring Election is set for Tuesday, April 4th. There are 3 open seats for Milwaukee's Common Council. TMJ4's Andrea Williams will talk with candidates from Districts 1, 5, and 9.
Today's candidates are running for Milwaukee's Aldermanic District 1. District 1 includes a large area on the city's north side that extends from W. Capitol Drive from N. 9th to N. 35th Streets, north to West Bradley Road.
David Bowen served as a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (10th District) from 2015-2022. He previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
Andrea Pratt served 22 years with Milwaukee Public Schools and has spent the last 5 years working for the City of Milwaukee. She's currently a Civil Rights Specialist.
The seats for District 1, District 5, and District 9 are all currently without representation. In order to introduce you to the many personalities in the race, TMJ4 News sent out an eight-question survey to each candidate. Their answers are presented below.
- VOTER RESOURCES: Decision 2023
- How Do I Register To Vote?
- How Can I Find My Polling Place?
- What To Bring To The Polls On Election Day
DAVID BOWEN
1. Why do you want to serve on the Milwaukee Common Council?
As a resident of the First District and former State Representative supporting part of the district, I am both passionate and invested in this community. As a lifelong Milwaukeean with 20 years of experience working directly with young people and community leaders in our city, I know the challenges facing our youth, our neighborhoods and the potential we have to overcome them. The reason I want to serve on the Common Council is simple - because I want to help lead our city into a prosperous and sustainable future. Milwaukee is currently facing some of its biggest challenges; working together is the only way to address them. My experience as a leader in both the state and Milwaukee County speaks to my desire and ability to work with everyone for the greater good of our community. I truly believe that when we work together we can push Milwaukee forward.
2. What qualifications and/or experience make you the best fit to represent your district?
I specifically have over a decade of proven elected leadership, which includes:
* Re-elected four consecutive times to the State Legislature, where I provided effective and dedicated constituency services to over 58,000 residents
* Introduced 102 bills and co-sponsored another 750+; worked directly with department leaders to address constituent needs
* Experience developing community-centered and community-driven solutions including violence prevention and public safety policies
* Served on the local level Finance Committee overseeing budgets for nearly $1.4 billion and as a State ranking member of the Corrections Committee, coalition building with community stakeholders to overhaul old systems
3. What steps will you take as alder to reduce reckless driving in Milwaukee?
I believe in a vision of holistic Community Safety that includes greatly reduced reckless driving. As a State lawmaker, I had the chance to suggest to Gov. Evers to take the opportunity to fund the installation of traffic calming measures with State resources. Now, the Governor has thankfully made this a top priority of his agenda and has proposed a state budget that funds anti-reckless driving grants to local communities including Milwaukee to support critical traffic infrastructure. In addition, I had the chance to work with Milwaukee Police Chief Norman & his administration to clarify policy around towing vehicles wrongly used in extremely reckless driving cases off our streets. The more we can take away access to vehicles that would be used illegally, the better it is for vulnerable citizens, our children and seniors, to be able to safely walk as pedestrians without fear of being hurt.
4. Other than reckless driving, what do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing your district, and what can be done to address it?
One of the biggest challenges currently facing the First District is community safety, and in particular, gun violence impacting the lives of residents. The First District has a number of neighborhoods that historically account for a significant number of shootings in our City. In the past, I've worked with Governor Tony Evers to secure funding for violence prevention programs in Milwaukee, and I would like to double down on funding for these efforts if elected. We must also seek investment in workforce development and community services to lower violence and clean up our streets. Additionally, I see the following as other challenges in the District:
* Challenge: Budget Crisis
* Solution: Strengthen relationships within the State to improve our City’s financial health and sustain neighborhood services
* Challenge: Stagnant Economic Growth
* Solution: Fuel tax-base growth investments to lower the burden on homeowners, expand local minority-owned businesses, and enrich our neighborhoods to eliminate abandoned properties
5. What is one person, place, or program in your district that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of numerous people and initiatives in the First District that are driving change to make a more prosperous and thriving community for all of our families. But I'm particularly proud of the legacy of Rufus King neighborhood resident James Beckum. Mr. Beckum, who recently turned 94 years old, is a former U.S. Marine, Negro League Baseball Hall of Famer, and a legend in youth sports development. He founded the Beckum-Stapleton little league program, positively impacting and influencing thousands of kids for decades. And he isn't slowing down. I'm thankful for his many years of support and his endorsement of this campaign.
6. If elected, what is one specific thing you’d like to accomplish in your district in 2023?
Above all else, I think it's important to hear directly from the residents about their needs in the District. But something I would love to accomplish is the re-establishment of business corridors on streets like Green Bay Avenue, Villard, and Teutonia. It's imperative we identify high-growth areas of the District and invest in those areas to promote economic growth, stability, and black businesses. By prioritizing community safety and strong financial growth in the area, we can continue to make the District a place that residents want to call home while growing the tax base to lifting the burden on homeowners.
7. If elected, do you see any opportunities to help local leaders better collaborate with state leaders in Madison?
Yes, I do see these opportunities. Working effectively with leaders in Madison across both sides of the aisle has been my signature style of leadership. The City of Milwaukee has a chance to strengthen relationships with the State to improve our City’s financial health and sustain critical neighborhood services. And I am well-suited to take on the challenge of working with State leaders as I have for the past 10 years.
8. Last but not least: What’s your favorite spot to grab a good meal in Milwaukee?
It's hard to choose just one. As a proud Jamaican-American, some of my favorites are Pepperpot (Historic Bronzeville) and Coconut Bowl, which is very close to the First District. I don't know any other bowling alley in the City that serves Jamaican cuisine like Coconut Bowl. Ask for the chicken wings with the unique Jamaican seasoning.
ANDREA PRATT
Andrea Pratt did not respond to TMJ4's requests for comment on this survey.