6 candidates advance to Spring Election to fill 3 vacancies in Milwaukee's aldermanic districts

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Six candidates will compete to fill vacancies in three of Milwaukee's aldermanic districts in the Spring Election on Tuesday, April 4.

District 1

Milwaukee's aldermanic district one has been vacant for about six months. Former Ald. Ashanti Hamilton represented the district since 2004 but left in Aug. 2022 after Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson appointed him the director of the city's Office of Violence Prevention.

Andrea Pratt and former Rep. David Bowen are projected to be on the ballot in April. 

Andrea Pratt

Andrea Pratt told CBS 58 she comes from a long line of public servants, including her father, former Milwaukee Mayor Marvin Pratt.

Marvin Pratt served as alderman of district one for 17 years.

"I just see this as an extension of that service," Andrea Pratt said.

Pratt said she is running for office to tackle her neighborhoods' biggest priorities, which she identifies as improving city services, boosting economic development and maintaining safe streets.

"That’s what I intend to do, to amplify their voices and to work with the administration, to work with fellow council members, to work with the state to make sure that they feel that their voices are being heard," Pratt said.

Pratt currently works in city government as an equal rights specialist.

David Bowen

Former Rep. David Bowen is hoping to make the transition from the Wisconsin State Capitol to Milwaukee City Hall.

"It's about stepping up where needed and right now the city of Milwaukee needs a lot of help," Bowen said.

As the only candidate with elected experience, Bowen said he knows how to best invest in solutions for Milwaukee's major challenges.

"I look at what I've done already. I collaborated with the governor, and we were the ones that brought the idea of investing into violence prevention and the state having a role in that," Bowen said.

Bowen said public safety, equitable economic opportunities, quality housing and the city budget are all priorities if elected to office.

Bowen formerly served as a Milwaukee County Supervisor.

District 5

Milwaukee's aldermanic district five has been vacant for about two months. Former Ald. Nikiya Dodd represented the district since 2018. She resigned in Nov. 2022 and took a job at Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy in Milwaukee.

Lamont Westmoreland and Annette Jackson are projected to be on the ballot in April.

Lamont Westmoreland

Lamont Westmoreland is a businessowner in Milwaukee with a background in finance.

“I just have the energy and passion that is unmatched," Westmoreland said.

He told CBS 58 his late friend inspired his run for Common Council.

“The last conversation I had with Thomas, he’s like 'Lamont you should really run for alderman,'" Westmoreland said.

If elected, Westmoreland wants to tackle reckless driving, support small business growth and reduce crime.

“People are leaving. People are getting sick and tired of their cars being broken into, their cars stolen. Infrastructure, poor roads. Gun shots. All of that stuff – people are sick and tired of it," Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said he's not interested in a career in politics, he's interested in improving his community.

“My aspiration is to be district 5 alderman, nothing more," Westmoreland said.

Annette Jackson

Annette Jackson has experience in three city departments, and now said she's ready for a move to the Common Council.

Jackson worked for the Department of Neighborhood Services, the water department and in licensing.

"By me being in those departments, I can make connections and I can hit the ground running on day one," Jackson said.

Jackson told CBS 58 she is running for alderwoman of district five to bring the community closer together.

"We can come together, work together and correct any issues that are happening in district five," Jackson said.

Jackson said her mission is to reduce crime and provide resources to residents.

“A lot of people in the community felt like their issues aren’t being heard. Well, I want to hear them," Jackson said.

District 9

District nine lost representation in July 2022 after former Ald. Chantia Lewis was removed from the Common Council. Lewis pled guilty to misuse of campaign funds and misconduct while in office.

Since her departure, some residents have felt voiceless when it comes to issues particularly impacting district nine, including the youth prison and the abandoned Northridge Mall.

Odell Ball and Larresa Taylor are projected to be on the ballot in April. 

Odell Ball

Odell Ball is a retired Milwaukee Public School teacher.

Ball told CBS 58 he became inspired to run for Common Council while campaigning for his wife, Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball.

"There was a lot of need in the district that hadn't been met," Odell Ball said.

Ball said he wants to bring business back to district nine.

He's said he's already thinking about solutions for Milwaukee's biggest challenges, including illegal dumping, reckless driving, gun violence, mental health issues and lead abatement.

Ball said he'd like to see Northridge Mall become a training center for fire and police officers and trainees.

Ball told CBS 58 he's an advocate for the youth prison proposed to be built in district nine.

“I stand on the shoulders of the teachers that I grew up with. They can stand on my shoulders. I was built for this," Ball said.

Larresa Taylor

Larresa Taylor is a veteran and Milwaukee Public School teacher.

"I am a public servant by nature," Taylor said. "I usually say when you have a niche, you follow it, and when you follow your niche, you find success."

Taylor said her goal is to elevate quality of life while improving Milwaukee's economic development, public safety and education.

Taylor proposes block watches and teaching residents to look out for each other.

When asked about Northridge Mall, Taylor said she'd like to see the court order followed. As to what development she'd like to see there, Taylor said she'd consult with residents.

"I can’t make any decisions alone, but I can make decisions with the cooperation and collaboration of the residents in the area," Taylor said.

Since the youth prison was already approved, Taylor said her role if elected would be to focus on limiting potential negative impacts to residents.

The Spring Election is on Tuesday, April 4.