Youngest Wisconsin delegates at DNC advocate for technology and transportation

As the Democratic National Convention continues in Chicago, a pair of delegates from southeastern Wisconsin are some of the youngest individuals representing the state — and the tech industry

Nadiyah Johnson, the CEO and founder of the Milky Way Tech Hub, told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” her company is one of the leading tech hubs in the Midwest. 

“I wanted to be a delegate to represent that community of techies and tech professionals,” she said. 

For her first political convention, Johnson said she plans to observe leadership and learn how to advocate for technologists in Wisconsin.

She added that during the convention she spoke with Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin about developing a new caucus to push technology forward.

Johnson said, “I see there’s a Black caucus and all these cool caucuses, but where’s the technology caucus? He said, ‘You know what? That’s a great idea.’

This is the second convention for delegate Trevor Jung, the Transit & Mobility Director for RYDE Racine.

“In 2020 I was a virtual delegate. Sitting on your couch at home is a lot different than being on the floor of a convention actually nominating the next president. Very exciting to be here,” he said. 

Jung said he’s grateful to attend this year’s event because he was born in Russia, and lived in an orphanage there until two-years-old. 

“My dad is a single parent, small business owner, (who) saved me from halfway across the world,” he said. “To be here and look at the American flag and nominate the first female African American, hopefully the president of the United States. It’s unreal.”

Under the Biden administration, Jung said the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ushered in $66 billion to improve passenger rail to eliminate an Amtrak maintenance backlog.

He said other funds through the infrastructure law are supporting public transportation and infrastructure projects in the U.S and in Wisconsin. 

Between 2021 and 2026, $89 billion will go toward replacing thousands of deficient transit vehicles — including buses — with clean, zero emission vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities, according to the White House.

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, Racine has the largest electric bus fleet per capita of anywhere in Wisconsin. 25 percent of our fleet is all electric,” he said.

Jung said the city of Racine plans to grow its electric bus fleet by 40 percent under the federal Low or No Emission Program, funded through the infrastructure law. 

He added that last year, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin secured $1.2 million to build a solar array for the RYDE Racine’s transit garage.

Jung said construction is expected to start this fall. 

“It’s the three S’s. Saving, service and sustainability. We’re making it happen in Racine,” he said.