2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election
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The 2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election was held on April 5, 2022, to elect the mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While the next regularly-scheduled date for a Milwaukee mayoral election is in 2024, incumbent mayor Tom Barrett resigned to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg.[1] The special election was the first open race for mayor of the city since 2004.
Municipal elections in Wisconsin are nonpartisan. A nonpartisan primary election, which was held on February 15,[1] determined which two candidates were listed on the general election ballot. Acting mayor Cavalier Johnson and alderman Bob Donovan advanced to the general election. Johnson handily defeated Donovan in the general election, becoming the first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee.[2]
Candidates
Advanced to general
- Bob Donovan, Milwaukee alderman and candidate for mayor in 2016[3][4]
- Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Common Council president and acting mayor[1][5]
Eliminated in primary
- Sheila Conley-Patterson[4]
- Marina Dimitrijevic, Milwaukee alderwoman and former chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors[4]
- Earnell Lucas, Milwaukee County sheriff[6]
- Nick McVey[4]
- Michael Sampson[4]
- Lena Taylor, Wisconsin state senator, former Wisconsin state assemblywoman, and candidate for mayor in 2020[7]
Withdrew
Declined
- Chris Abele, former Milwaukee County Executive[3]
- Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and former Wisconsin state assemblyman (running for U.S. Senate)[3]
- David Bowen, Wisconsin state assemblyman[3]
- David Clarke, former Milwaukee County sheriff[3]
- Evan Goyke, Wisconsin state assemblyman[3]
- Chris Larson, former minority leader of the Wisconsin Senate[3]
- Chantia Lewis, Milwaukee alderman[3]
- Michael Murphy, Milwaukee alderman[3]
- Tearman Spencer, Milwaukee city attorney[3]
Endorsements
Bob Donovan
- State officials
- Rebecca Kleefisch, former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2011-2019)[9][10]
Cavalier Johnson
Primary election
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Marina Dimitrijevic |
Bob Donovan |
Isehuh Griffin |
Cavalier Johnson |
Earnell Lucas |
Michael Sampson |
Lena Taylor |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Research Group (R)[A] | February 2–3, 2022 | 673 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 5% | 24% | 1% | 41% | 6% | 1% | 10% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling (D)[B] | January 19–20, 2022 | 1,135 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 7% | 18% | 1% | 25% | 5% | 1% | 13% | 30% |
| Global Strategy Group (D)[C] | January 5–10, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 9% | 14% | – | 25% | 7% | – | 18% | 25% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Cavalier Johnson (incumbent) | 25,779 | 41.79% | |
| Nonpartisan | Bob Donovan | 13,742 | 22.28% | |
| Nonpartisan | Lena Taylor | 7,877 | 12.77% | |
| Nonpartisan | Marina Dimitrijevic | 7,521 | 12.19% | |
| Nonpartisan | Earnell Lucas | 5,886 | 9.53% | |
| Nonpartisan | Michael Sampson | 514 | 0.83% | |
| Nonpartisan | Ieshuh Griffin | 315 | 0.51% | |
| Write-in | 56 | 0.09% | ||
| Total votes | 61,743 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Cavalier Johnson (incumbent) | 62,143 | 71.69% | |
| Nonpartisan | Bob Donovan | 24,543 | 28.31% | |
| Total votes | 86,686 | 100.00% | ||
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
References
- ^ a b c Jordan, Gerron (December 23, 2021). "Milwaukee special mayoral election to be held April 5". WISN-TV. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
- ^ Durr, Alison; Glauber, Bill; Spicuzza, Mary (April 5, 2022). "Cavalier Johnson becomes first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee, defeats Bob Donovan in the spring general election". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bice, Daniel (August 27, 2021). "Who's in, who's out and who's undecided in what should be a crowded field for city's next mayoral race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "2022 Special Mayor Candidates.xlsx - Google Drive". docs.google.com. City of Milwaukee Election Commission. 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ Dirr, Alison (August 26, 2021). "Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson to run for mayor after Barrett departs for ambassadorship". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Holmes, Isiah (September 23, 2021). "Ald. Cavalier Johnson makes his case to become Milwaukee's next mayor". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Caine, Patrick (December 26, 2021). "Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor to run for Mayor of Milwaukee". WTMJ (AM). Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Reports: Daniel Riemer drops out of Milwaukee mayoral race after brief run". WTMJ-TV. December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Kleefisch Campaign: Announces spring election endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Bob Donovan for Milwaukee Mayor endorsements". Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Milwaukee County Exec. Crowley: Endorses Cavalier Johnson for Mayor". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Democratic Party of Milwaukee County: Endorses Cavalier Johnson". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "WisDems: Democratic Party of Wisconsin endorses Cavalier Johnson". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "IBEW: Endorses Cavalier Johnson for Mayor". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Cavalier Johnson for Milwaukee Mayor endorsements". Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "Latest Election Results". city.milwaukee.gov. City of Milwaukee. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Overview and Live Results: California Congressional District 22, Other Special Elections". Decision Desk HQ. 270toWin. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.