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THE DISTRICT
This safe Democratic district includes portions of Milwaukee, Shorewood and Glendale, stretching west to the border of Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.
THE NUTSHELL
The Aug. 13 Democratic primary will be a rematch of a special election primary held in July. Reps. Dora Drake and LaKeshia Myers, a pair of Milwaukee Democrats, faced off July 2 in a special Democratic primary in the race to replace longtime state Sen. Lena Taylor, who was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court by Gov. Tony Evers. Drake easily won that primary and was elected to serve in the state Senate through the end of the year on July 30. Both Drake and Myers were motivated, in part, to run for the seat because of the additional staff and resources that come with a state Senate office, the two candidates said in separate interviews with Wisconsin Watch. The two candidates are taking different approaches to the campaign, with Drake pushing her legislative priorities and Myers seeking to tie herself to Taylor, who held the seat for almost 20 years. Drake, who was elected to the Assembly in 2020, wants to bring the “next generation” of public servants to the Senate, she said. The 31-year-old is campaigning on her ability to work across the aisle and pass legislation, noting in an interview that she’s worked on more than 20 bills that have become law despite serving in the minority. Myers, who ousted an incumbent Democrat in the primary to get elected in 2018, said her top priority would be continuing the constituent services Taylor offered during her two decades in the Senate. Myers, 39, worked for Taylor after graduating from college and learned that constituent services meant solving problems, not just picking up the phone so people feel like they’re being heard, Myers said.
PRIMARY RESULTS
Drake won a rematch with Myers by a wide margin and does not face a general election opponent.
READ MORE
Wisconsin Watch: Milwaukee Dems prepare for special showdown
Wisconsin Examiner: Rep. Dora Drake wins special election primary for open 4th Senate seat
Assembly stories
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