A Democratic assemblywoman from Milwaukee has announced she’ll run for an open state Senate seat this fall.
Rep. LaTonya Johnson said Tuesday that she’s seeking the seat in the Senate’s 6th District, which covers Milwaukee’s northwest side. Incumbent Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd, a Democrat, announced last month she won’t seek re-election to a second term, citing her commitment to her 16-month-old son.
Johnson has served in the Assembly for four years. She said she wants to make sure district residents have equal access to employment and career advancement.
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Harris Dodd took the unusual step Tuesday of endorsing Johnson — one of three Democratic representatives in the district — five months before any legislative primary. She said that the timing of the endorsement is proper.
“I believe in going with my heart and how I feel like I’m led to go,” she said.
Harris Dodd said she and Johnson share the goals of protecting the child welfare system in Milwaukee, and helping to create more jobs.
The other two representatives in the 6th Senate District are Evan Goyke and Leon Young. They did not reply to requests for comment.
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