Johnson, who was born, raised and still lives on the north side of town, flooded the former south side of Ald. Bob Donovan in snap elections for a short two-year term. Just 35 years old, Johnson is Milwaukee’s first millennial mayor, with his triumph confirming his rapid six-year rise to first year in the Common Council’s seat of power in Wisconsin’s largest city. “For the first time in our 176-year history, this city has elected its first black mayor. We did,” Johnson told supporters at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Accompanied by his wife and their three children, Johnson said “we want our city to be lovable, caring and stable. That’s why I ran for mayor.” Johnson said “there is a lot to do”, adding that the city needs to stop the violence, rebuild its neighborhoods, create jobs and repair the broken relationship with the state government. Less than 45 minutes after the polls closed, Johnson had nearly 70 percent of the vote with a handful of constituencies and about 30,000 absentee ballots counted. Johnson and Donovan sought voter support to become Milwaukee’s first new mayor in 18 years, following the mid-term departure of former mayor Tom Barrett in December. He resigned to become US ambassador to Luxembourg. Johnson, who was chairman of the Joint Council, automatically became deputy mayor after Barrett’s departure. In 2004, Marvin Pratt followed suit after the resignation of then-Mayor John Norkist. Pratt rose from the leadership of the Joint Council to become the first black man to serve as incumbent mayor. But after winning a qualifier in 2004, Pratt was unable to claim the top job, losing to Barrett in the general election. Johnson became incumbent mayor of Milwaukee shortly before Christmas and methodically seized the opportunity to establish himself as city leader. He held a ritual swearing-in ceremony that contained every bit of grandeur and circumstance expected from a post-election event. And he maintained a steady public presence by conducting regular press conferences. Technically, Johnson still retained the role of 2nd district council and chairman of the Joint Council. But as incumbent mayor, he has always referred to these positions in the past. He had the mayor’s office at City Hall and was not ready to leave. Less than an hour after the polls closed, Donovan accepted during an election night party at the McKiernan Irish Pub on the south side of town. Donovan congratulated Johnson and said, “Well, we got it on the chin tonight, but boy, oh boy, we’re not down.” “It’s not a shame to go on and on,” Donovan said. “We had a vision, a goal, a plan for Milwaukee that I still believe to this day.” Asked what would follow, Donovan replied: “I’m going to have a beer!” Donovan, the former mayor, faced scary chances of winning. He did not just raise funds, but he could not live up to Johnson’s support throughout the city in a seven-way primary. In total, Johnson raised and spent more than four times as much money as Donovan on the fight. Since the beginning of the year, Johnson has spent more than $ 650,000 compared to $ 160,000 for Donovan. Johnson also received $ 100,000 from the state Democratic Party, an unusually large contribution to a local, non-partisan race. Donovan won the approval of two Republicans running for governor, Kevin Nicholson and former Lt. Gen. Rebecca Kleefisch. Donovan, a determined fighter, also criticized Johnson for his support of Action Fair Future. The secret group is widely believed to be funded by former Milwaukee County executive Chris Abel. And he made at least $ 150,000 in TV commercials to help with Johnson’s campaign. This was Donovan’s second mayoral campaign. He failed to overthrow Barrett in 2016.
Race offers contrasts
The differences between Johnson and Donovan are many and intense: north and south, black and white, Democratic and conservative, millennial and baby boomer, half a dozen years in office and two decades. But there was certainly a lack of energy at the polls, with many voters saying they voted out of a sense of political duty. “I always go to the polls because it makes a difference,” said Terry Island, 56, who voted on the James Madison campus in the northwest. “You have nothing to say if you do not vote.” Eiland did not say who he voted for, but acknowledged it was a difficult decision. “Milwaukee has so many problems, so you have to get the right person there,” he said. At the Clinton Rose Presbyterian Center in the north of the city, Passion Terrell, a 48-year-old Milwaukee public school teacher, said she always votes and has voted for Barrett for years. This time, he went with Johnson, is attracted to his youth and hopes he can tackle issues of violence, crime, youth employment and the proposed dissolution of the MPS. “You can have a few years or many years, that does not mean you can not bring something new and fresh, or different, to the table,” he said. For Melissa DeBot, the main issue was simple: “This Cavalier Johnson wins.” DeBot, which said it walks across the city, said Johnson was a proponent of making the Milwaukee more pedestrian-friendly. Colleen Richter, 50, said she voted for Donovan because she believed it would “do good” for the city. “I think it would help fight crime. “I think it would be good for the neighborhoods,” he said. “I think he’s a good guy.”
The next mayor faces historic challenges, an opportunity
Johnson’s honeymoon will probably be short. He took office as the city faced increasing homicides, reckless driving that cuts lives and questions about how the city should fund – and redefine – public safety. Not to mention a rapid increase in the annual pension contribution that threatens the services of the city and, as officials agree, they will receive state aid to deal with. This assistance, either through an increased sales tax or through joint revenue reinforcement, has long been sought by Milwaukee leaders to no avail. But Johnson is also becoming mayor at a time when the city is poised to receive a historic sum – nearly $ 200 million extra – in federal pandemic aid that could make significant progress on some of the most pressing issues. The basic decisions on how to spend them will be taken by him and the Joint Council. All future work should be done on a quick schedule. Johnson will have only the remaining two years of Barrett’s tenure instead of the standard four to convince voters that he is the right person to lead Milwaukee in the future.
Special elections for the seat of the Joint Council of the Region 2
Johnson’s election leaves the seat of the Joint Council representing District 2 on the northwest side of the city open. The next chairman of the council will be elected at the meeting on April 19, after which extraordinary elections are expected to be ordered. Milwaukee Electoral Commission Executive Director Claire Woodal-Vogg said she was optimistic the election would coincide with the autumn cycle, but that elections could be called in the summer. Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr. Our subscribers make this report possible. Consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.
