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TMJ4 hosts Milwaukee mayoral debate

The Spring Election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5
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Who do you think won Sunday night's debate? Vote in our poll below:

How to watch:

  • On over the air television
  • Watch live on tmj4.com
  • Wherever you stream TMJ4, like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire
  • Follow along with our live reporting on TMJ4's Twitterand Facebookpages

The April 5 election for Milwaukee mayor comes after longtime Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett resigned to become the next U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Johnson and Donovan advancedin the Feb. 15 primary, with Johnson taking 42 percent of the vote and Donovan taking 22 percent of the vote. The winner of the April 5 election will finish the remaining two years of Barrett's term, which will end on April 16, 2024.

Former candidates for Milwaukee Mayor - State Senator Lena Taylor, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas, Michael Sampson and Ieshuh Griffin - did not advance in the spring primary election.

In addition to our live reporting, videos and other information from the TMJ4 News-hosted debate on Sunday, below you will find biographies of the two candidates.

Bob Donovan, Former Milwaukee Alderman

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65-year-old Bob Donovan was born in Milwaukee and was raised in the Jackson Park neighborhood. He attended St. Francis De Sales College/Seminary and UW-Milwaukee but did not graduate. Donovan has said he worked in the private sector for many years including at the Solvay Coke & Gas, Co. He ran for Milwaukee Common Council and won, assuming office in 2000, representing District 8. 20 years later Donovan retired from the Common Council, in 2020. During his time on the council he chaired the Public Safety Committee and the Anti-Graffiti Policy Committee. In 2016, he launched an unsuccessful bid for Milwaukee mayor.

View some of our recent reporting about Donovan here:

Click here to view Donovan's campaign website.

Watch our exclusive interview with Donovan ahead of the spring primary below:

Bob Donovan: Mayoral candidate interview with TMJ4 News

Cavalier Johnson, Acting Mayor of Milwaukee

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35-year-old Cavalier Johnson was born in Milwaukee and raised in the 53206 ZIP code. He attended Bay View High School and UW-Madison. He went on to work for then Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's office as well as Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board, YMCA of Milwaukee and North Avenue Community Development Corporation. Johnson ran for Milwaukee Common Council and won, assuming office in 2016 to represent the District 2. He won reelection in 2020 and was also elected by fellow council members to become the Common Council President. When Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett resigned after Congress approved his appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Alderman Johnson became Acting Milwaukee Mayor.

View some of our recent reporting about Johnson here:

Click here to view's Johnson's campaign website.

Watch our exclusive interview with Johnson ahead of the spring primary below:

Cavalier Johnson: Mayoral candidate interview with TMJ4 News

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