State Senator LaTonya Johnson represents the 6th Senate District located on Milwaukee's northwest side. She was previously elected to the State Assembly in 2012 and re-elected in 2014 for a second term. Six months after being elected to the State Assembly she was elected Chair of the Milwaukee Delegation. Senator Johnson served in this capacity until February 2014.
Senator Johnson graduated from Bay View High School in 1990 and Tennessee State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to being elected to the State Legislature, Senator Johnson owned and operated an in-home family childcare center for over 10 years. Her experience as a small business owner makes her uniquely qualified to understand the needs and challenges facing Wisconsin's businesses.
In 2006, Senator Johnson helped organize over 400 childcare owners as a volunteer member organizer for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Establishing Milwaukee's first childcare union, she was elected President of AFSCME Local 502 Milwaukee Childcare Providers Together and Vice President of AFSCME District Council 48. She remains an active dues-paying member. Senator Johnson is also a member of Emerge Wisconsin, class of 2012.
Senator Johnson is a fierce advocate for Wisconsin's working and low-income families. As a member of the budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance, Senator Johnson works hard to make sure that our community sees its fair share of state investments.
Keeping guns out of the hands of violent offenders and protecting our children, communities and public spaces are a major priority. Being smart on crime by reserving prison time for the most violent and egregious offender and shifting funds from corrections to more necessary uses such as education, economic development, mental health, prison deferment and AODA treatment are priorities.
The North and North West sides of Milwaukee lack economic growth and stability. Residents living in these communities lack family supporting jobs and opportunities for economic self-sufficiency. Partnering with private sector employers to provide access to the education and job training necessary to make Milwaukee competitive in the 21st Century global economy is an essential priority.
Access to affordable, quality health care and mental health services are essential to the wellbeing of our community. Making sure Medicaid recipients can find physicians and providers willing to accept their coverage is priority.
Research has proven the first three years of a child’s life is critical for healthy brain development and learning. Investing in high quality, educational opportunities in early childhood years has been proven to reduce later cost associated with incarceration, special needs education and economic assistance.
