Candidates Speak Out on Core Issues at Forum

Milwaukee’s seven primary candidates for mayor focused on reckless driving and education during a candidate forum in advance of the first open election in two decades.

A multitude of topics were covered that night, with the majority focusing on public safety and schooling. It began with one subject, which has recently shot up in infamy, and was given quite a bit of consideration. 

Reckless driving. 

“Reckless driving is completely out of control in Milwaukee,” said Nancy Pesky, a remote worker from Riverwest. Pesky elaborated on how many of the drivers were repeat offenders or were adolescents who did not fully understand the consequences. A perfect example being Griffin Lakatos, who was recently arrested after killing another driver while speeding. 

Each mayoral candidate made their case. Some suggested collaboration with automobile manufacturers so that they could design cars that would be more difficult to drive unsafely. 

Others suggested giving kids the opportunity to either go to a racetrack to drive in a safe environment or be given the chance to explore auto mechanics as a career. 

Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson shared his belief that all Milwaukee Public Schools should offer universal Driver’s Education, so students can grow up with safe driving engrained into them. 

“I’m the candidate in this race that’s released a comprehensive plan to address the issue of reckless driving,” said Johnson. 

This statement refers to his S.T.A.N.D for Safer Streets program which gives a detailed outline of Johnson’s plans to combat reckless driving in Milwaukee.  

Former Alderman Bob Donovan said that he feels the key to solving the reckless driving crisis is to crack down on the drivers. 

“There seems to be no consequences for people’s criminal behavior,” said Donovan. “And that needs to change.” 

In order to properly carry out said consequences, there also needs to be an increase in the number of Milwaukee police, according to Donovan. Since, according to him, the present numbers are insufficient for maintaining safe streets. 

As the forum continued, host James E. Causey of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asked the candidates about if they planned to promote the recruitment of Black male teachers in the MPS system. 

“I would like to see the mayor push MPS to find a need for male Black teachers,” said Causey. 

Last year Causey published an article for MJS on a study performed by multiple universities – among them John Hopkins University – that found having just one male Black teacher could raise student aspirations by almost 20%. 

Donovan said he supported the recruitment of Black male teachers, and that, as mayor, he would also support tutoring and mentoring programs. Many children grow up without a positive adult male influence, according to Donovan. So, it’s important for the mayor to work to fill in that hole it leaves. 

Johnson, who attended multiple MPS schools growing up, recalled how he only had two Black teachers in his entire primary and secondary education. 

“There are too many kids,” said Johnson. “Especially young African American men that don’t see their reflection in the people that are educating their classrooms. That needs to change in Milwaukee.” 

To combat this, Johnson assisted in implementing Leading Men Fellows program in Milwaukee, which focused on introducing young African American men to careers as teachers. 

The Milwaukee Mayoral Primary took place on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The top two candidates were Cavalier Johnson and Bob Donovan. They would move on to the final election on April 5.