'I'm still the state senator': Lena Taylor says she'll continue fight against voter disenfranchisement

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- State Sen. Lena Taylor may have lost the Milwaukee mayoral race, but she says her work in this city is far from done.

Taylor addressed her supporters briefly on Facebook and Zoom Monday night after incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett was declared the winner.

"I want you to know that we will continue. We will continue cause I'm still the state senator. We will continue to fight for voters' rights and against disenfranchisement for whoever it may be," Taylor said.

Taylor said she's very proud of the campaign she ran and plans to continue helping residents through her position in the state Legislature.

She called attention to many of the issues she saw during last week's election including long lines, not enough polling places and absentee ballots not arriving to voters' homes in time.

More than a week ago, she had sued in efforts to delay the election. She said Monday night she will "follow up with suits" related to voter disenfranchisement.

Taylor said she called Barrett to congratulate him. In the past, she has accused Barrett of caring only about development in Milwaukee’s downtown area and the Democratic National Convention, and not enough about the city’s neighborhoods.

She lost 37 percent to Barrett's 63 percent.

Taylor said she will also work on helping small businesses and people who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.