Democrat Dora Drake Poised for Promotion to Wisconsin State Senate
The special election was called after State Senator Lena Taylor (D) was appointed to a local judgeship.
The Democratic primary occurred today to select a candidate for the special election later this month to fill a vacancy in the Wisconsin State Senate. With only two candidates on the ballot, the victor is guaranteed to secure a majority of the vote.
The special election for Wisconsin State Senate District 4 was called following the resignation of State Senator Lena Taylor, a Democrat, to become a Judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. She represented this district from January 2005 to January 2024.
Dora Drake has been declared the winner of the Democratic primary. The race was called in her favor as she’s currently leading with 65.9% against LaKeshia Myers with 34.1%. 6,737 votes have been counted.
Both Drake and Myers currently serve in the Wisconsin State Assembly - with Drake representing District 11 since January 2021 and Myers holding District 12 since January 2019.
Every district in the Wisconsin State Senate covers the borders of three districts within the State Assembly - with District 4 covering the Assembly terrain of Districts 10, 11 and 12. Drake and Myers sought the promotion while Democrat Darrin Madison of District 10 opted to run for re-election instead.
Wisconsin State Senate District 4 is located entirely within Milwaukee County. It comprises the north side of Milwaukee, parts of Wauwatosa and Brown Deer, and the entire cities of Glendale and Shorewood. It is one of two majority-Black districts in the Wisconsin State Senate.
The special election for this seat in the Wisconsin State Senate will occur on July 30, 2024. Drake is currently running unopposed. The legislative chamber has no additional vacancies at this time. However, District 4 is up again this November for a regular four-year term. During the August primary, Drake and Myers are set to face off once more.