With the high profile nature of the race for mayor between Marvin Pratt and Tom Barrett, it’s easy to forget that there are a number of other political races on the city and county election ballot set for
April 6.

The candidates for alderman, county executive and supervisor, municipal, circuit and appeals court judge, city attorney, comptroller and treasurer know there is more than one political race next week and are working feverishly to win the hearts, minds and—more importantly—votes of citizens.

During the course of the Community Journal’s reporting on the primary and general elections, we’ve heard from a litany of residents in the Black community eager to vote for a candidate—incumbent or newcomer—who will look out for (or continue looking out for) their interests.

And what are their interests? Tax relief, crime reduction and increased public safety, economic development, job creation and retention, as well as consistent, dependable city and county services such as garbage pick-up, snow removal, well-kept parks and an efficient transportation system.

The following are the Community Journal picks in the April 6 election, one that could possibly change the political and social paradigm of this city for the next 20 years.

Mayor

Both Mayor Marvin Pratt and challenger, former congressional representative Tom Barrett would make good, capable leaders of this city.

Both are committed to job creation and economic development, crime reduction, improving public education and delivering efficient city services.

Both would also work hard to elevate the property tax burden and trim waste from city government.

Unfortunately, the last three weeks have seen the spotlight turn from the issues to Pratt’s campaign finance woes. Many in the community believe the recently concluded John Doe investigation looking into campaign finance discrepancies and stories in the city’s daily newspaper questioning his integrity and ability to manage the city’s budget were politically motivated.

If anything, the controversy has galvanized the community around Pratt and rekindled memories of past attacks on Black politicians by White power brokers who did not want to see political change.

Pratt has done an excellent job as mayor after former Mayor John Norquist stepped down in late December. Pratt made sure city services were maintained. This was especially evident with the efficient snow removal during the heaviest snowfalls that the city has seen in at least three years.

Ranked as one of the top council member during his decade and-a-half tenure in the Common Council, Pratt’s experience, leadership and keen ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds and ideologies together served him well as council president.

Moreover, Pratt has experienced first hand the racial barriers that have, and continue to, frustrate the aspirations of thousands of Black and Hispanic Milwaukeeans.

These life experiences will fuel Pratt’s determination to break down the barriers that exists in Milwaukee and open the doors of inclusiveness and equality that will usher in an era reminiscent of the late Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson.

As mayor, he will bring this ability, as well as his forward thinking vision to the mayor’s office

If, as we believe, the community will come out in mass to vote for Pratt—angered by his treatment in the White media—and the mayor can garner some votes from undecided White voters who will see his financial missteps as mistakes and not misdeeds, then he should become the city’s first elected Black mayor.

Obviously, if Pratt had not run, our choice would be Barrett, who as a state legislator and U.S. congressman maintained a sterling record, helping to garner resources that have made life better in the central city in the areas of housing, economic development, education and social services.

Our choice for mayor: Marvin Pratt.

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