Madison--State Representative Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) was elected Chair of the Wisconsin Legislature’s Black and Hispanic Caucus during balloting February 1. "I am humbled by the respect and trust of the members of the caucus," Toles said. "I welcome this new challenge and look forward to working with my colleagues during the upcoming legislative session."

"I want the Black and Hispanic Caucus to be a strong force in bringing the concerns of Wisconsin’s minority populations to the forefront of the Legislature," Toles continued. "Our constituents need to have a more prominent voice in the debates and decisions being made regarding the issues that impact their daily lives. The Caucus can be instrumental in helping the Legislature gain a better understanding of the needs of the people we serve, and the systemic barriers that exist, which impede access, particularly to family supporting jobs and educational opportunities, which would improve their quality of life."

Other Black and Hispanic Caucus members elected to leadership positions include: Senator Spencer Coggs-caucus vice chair, Representative Pedro Colon-caucus secretary, Representative Leon Young-caucus treasurer.

Also, Representative Jason Fields is the new chair of the Milwaukee delegation to the Assembly and Representative Tamara Grigsby is the new vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.

Toles was first elected to the State Assembly in a special election in January 2004. Last November, she was re-elected to her second full term in the Legislature with 91% of the vote. She currently serves as ranking member of the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development and as a member of the State Affairs, Ways and Means, and Jobs and the Economy Committees. Prior to her election to the Legislature, Toles was an adjunct faculty member, community outreach coordinator, and advisor at Milwaukee Area Technical College.