Lena Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lena Taylor
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Taylor in 2013
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| Wisconsin Circuit Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 41 | |
| Assumed office January 30, 2024 |
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| Appointed by | Tony Evers |
| Preceded by | Audrey Skwierawski |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 2005 – January 26, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Gwen Moore |
| Succeeded by | Dora Drake |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 18th district |
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| In office April 30, 2003 – January 3, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Antonio R. Riley |
| Succeeded by | Tamara Grigsby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 25, 1966 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (BA) Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (JD) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Lena C. Taylor (born July 25, 1966) is an American lawyer and judge. She is currently a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County. She started this important job in January 2024. Before becoming a judge, she was a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate for 19 years. She represented the 4th State Senate district from 2005 to 2024. She also served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly before that.
Taylor also ran for other big jobs, like Milwaukee County executive in 2008 and mayor of Milwaukee in 2020 and 2022, but she did not win those elections.
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Early Life and Education
Lena Taylor grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She finished high school at Rufus King High School in 1984. She then went to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. In 1990, she earned her bachelor's degree in English. While in college, she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. After college, she went to Southern Illinois University School of Law. She earned her law degree (called a J.D.) in 1993.
Early Legal Career
After law school, Taylor worked as a public defender for over two years. A public defender is a lawyer who helps people who cannot afford legal help. In 1996, she started her own law firm in Milwaukee called Taylor and Associates Law Office.
Wisconsin Legislature
Serving in the State Assembly (2003-2005)
Lena Taylor first ran for public office in 2003. This was a special election for the Wisconsin State Assembly. The previous representative, Antonio R. Riley, had resigned. Taylor won the first round of voting with 68% of the votes. She then won the special election easily, as she had no main opponents.
Serving in the State Senate (2005-2024)
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About a year after she joined the Assembly, the state senator for her area, Gwen Moore, decided to run for a different office. This meant there was an open spot in the 4th state Senate district. Taylor decided to run for this Senate seat in 2004. She won a tough primary election against another state representative. She then won the general election without any opponents.
When Democrats gained more power in the Senate in 2006, Taylor became the leader of the Senate committee on judiciary and corrections. She also joined the important Joint Finance Committee, which handles the state's budget.
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Taylor was re-elected in 2008 without any opponents. She kept her leadership roles in the Senate. As the head of the judiciary and corrections committee, she worked on making changes to the justice system. She also started a "State of Justice" tour, holding committee meetings in different parts of Wisconsin.
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After the 2010 election, a different political party gained control of the state government. In 2011, a new bill was proposed that would change rules for public workers' unions. Many people protested this bill at the Wisconsin State Capitol. To try and stop the bill, Taylor and 13 other Democratic state senators left the state. This action got national attention.
In 2012, Taylor was re-elected for her third term. Her district remained strongly Democratic. She won with 86% of the votes against an independent candidate.
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In 2016, Taylor faced a challenge from another state representative, Mandela Barnes, but she won the primary election with 60% of the votes. In 2020, Taylor was re-elected for her fifth term in the Senate.
Other Political Campaigns
Running for County Executive (2008)
In 2008, Taylor ran for Milwaukee County executive. This job is like the chief manager for the county. She ran against the person who held the job at the time, Scott Walker. Walker won the election with 58% of the votes.
Running for Mayor of Milwaukee (2020)
In 2019, Taylor decided to run for mayor of Milwaukee. She challenged the mayor who had been in office for a long time, Tom Barrett. Taylor made it through the first round of voting, but she lost to Barrett in the main election. She received 36% of the votes.
Running for Lieutenant Governor and Mayor (2022)
In 2021, Taylor briefly ran for Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. This person is second in command to the governor. She decided to end that campaign after two months. Instead, she chose to focus on running for mayor of Milwaukee again.
In 2022, there was a special election for mayor of Milwaukee. The previous mayor had taken a new job. Taylor ran again, but she came in third place in the first round of voting.
Running for Municipal Judge (2023)
In 2023, Taylor ran for a municipal judge position in Milwaukee. She was defeated in the election by Molly Gena.
Judgeship (2024–Present)
On January 26, 2024, Governor Tony Evers appointed Lena Taylor to be a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County. This position became open when Judge Audrey Skwierawski resigned. Taylor left her state Senate job that same day. She officially became a judge on January 30.
Images for kids
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Taylor in 2013
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Taylor speaking at a September 2015 event for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign
