2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election

The 2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election was held on April 5, 2022, concurrent with Wisconsin's spring general election, to elect a new mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, following the resignation of mayor Tom Barrett in December 2021.^[1] Acting mayor Cavalier Johnson, who had been president of the common council when Barrett resigned, won the election, receiving 71% of the vote and defeating alderman Bob Donovan. Johnson became the first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee.^[2]

2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election

← 2020 April 5, 2022 2024 →

Candidate Cavalier Johnson Bob Donovan Popular vote 62,143 24,543 Percentage 71.7% 28.3%

Mayor before election Cavalier Johnson (acting) Democratic Elected mayor Cavalier Johnson Democratic

Municipal elections in Wisconsin are nonpartisan. A nonpartisan primary election was held on February 15, 2022,^[1] in which the top two vote-getters advanced to the April general election. This special election was the first open race for mayor of Milwaukee since 2004.

Candidates

Advanced to general

• Bob Donovan, Milwaukee alderman and candidate for mayor in 2016^[3][4]
• Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Common Council president and acting mayor^[1][5]

Eliminated in primary

• Sheila Conley-Patterson^[4]
• Marina Dimitrijevic, Milwaukee alderwoman and former chairwoman of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors^[4]
• Earnell Lucas, Milwaukee County sheriff^[6]
• Nick McVey^[4]
• Michael Sampson^[4]
• Lena Taylor, Wisconsin state senator, former Wisconsin state assemblywoman, and candidate for mayor in 2020^[7]

Withdrew

• Daniel Riemer, Wisconsin state assemblyman^[8]

Declined

• Chris Abele, former Milwaukee County Executive^[3]
• Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and former Wisconsin state assemblyman (running for U.S. Senate)^[3]
• David Bowen, Wisconsin state assemblyman^[3]
• David Clarke, former Milwaukee County sheriff^[3]
• Evan Goyke, Wisconsin state assemblyman^[3]
• Chris Larson, former minority leader of the Wisconsin Senate^[3]
• Chantia Lewis, Milwaukee alderman^[3]
• Michael Murphy, Milwaukee alderman^[3]
• Tearman Spencer, Milwaukee city attorney^[3]

Endorsements

Bob Donovan

State officials

• Rebecca Kleefisch, former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)^[9][10]

Cavalier Johnson

County officials

• David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive^[11]

Organizations

• Democratic Party of Milwaukee County^[12]
• Democratic Party of Wisconsin^[13]
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494^[14][15]

Primary election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Marina Dimitrijevic	Bob Donovan	Isehuh Griffin	Cavalier Johnson	Earnell Lucas	Michael Sampson	Lena Taylor	Undecided
Remington Research Group (R)[A]	February 2–3, 2022	673 (LV)	± 4.0%	5%	24%	1%	41%	6%	1%	10%	12%
Public Policy Polling (D)[B]	January 19–20, 2022	1,135 (LV)	± 2.9%	7%	18%	1%	25%	5%	1%	13%	30%
Global Strategy Group (D)[C]	January 5–10, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	9%	14%	–	25%	7%	–	18%	25%

Results

2022 Milwaukee mayoral special primary^[16]

Candidate		Votes	%
Cavalier Johnson (incumbent)		25,779	41.79%
Bob Donovan		13,742	22.28%
Lena Taylor		7,877	12.77%
Marina Dimitrijevic		7,521	12.19%
Earnell Lucas		5,886	9.53%
Michael Sampson		514	0.83%
Ieshuh Griffin		315	0.51%
Write-in		56	0.09%
Total votes		61,743	100.00%

General election

Results

2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election^[16][17]

Candidate		Votes	%
Cavalier Johnson (incumbent)		62,143	71.69%
Bob Donovan		24,543	28.31%
Total votes		86,686	100.00%

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. This poll was sponsored by Leaders for a Better Community
2. This poll was sponsored by Milwaukee Works
3. This poll was sponsored by Johnson's campaign

References

1. Jordan, Gerron (December 23, 2021). "Milwaukee special mayoral election to be held April 5". WISN-TV. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
2. Durr, Alison; Glauber, Bill; Spicuzza, Mary (April 5, 2022). "Cavalier Johnson becomes first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee, defeats Bob Donovan in the spring general election". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
3. Bice, Daniel (August 27, 2021). "Who's in, who's out and who's undecided in what should be a crowded field for city's next mayoral race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
4. "2022 Special Mayor Candidates.xlsx - Google Drive". docs.google.com. City of Milwaukee Election Commission. 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
5. Dirr, Alison (August 26, 2021). "Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson to run for mayor after Barrett departs for ambassadorship". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
6. Holmes, Isiah (September 23, 2021). "Ald. Cavalier Johnson makes his case to become Milwaukee's next mayor". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
7. Caine, Patrick (December 26, 2021). "Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor to run for Mayor of Milwaukee". WTMJ (AM). Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
8. "Reports: Daniel Riemer drops out of Milwaukee mayoral race after brief run". WTMJ-TV. December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
9. "Kleefisch Campaign: Announces spring election endorsements". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
10. "Bob Donovan for Milwaukee Mayor endorsements". Retrieved March 8, 2022.
11. "Milwaukee County Exec. Crowley: Endorses Cavalier Johnson for Mayor". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
12. "Democratic Party of Milwaukee County: Endorses Cavalier Johnson". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
13. "WisDems: Democratic Party of Wisconsin endorses Cavalier Johnson". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
14. "IBEW: Endorses Cavalier Johnson for Mayor". www.wispolitics.com. Wispolitics.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
15. "Cavalier Johnson for Milwaukee Mayor endorsements". Retrieved March 8, 2022.
16. "Latest Election Results". city.milwaukee.gov. City of Milwaukee. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
17. "Overview and Live Results: California Congressional District 22, Other Special Elections". Decision Desk HQ. 270toWin. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.