County Supervisor Nikiya Harris announced her candidacy for the 6th District State Senate seat that will be available when State Senator Spencer Coggs leaves that position for his newly elected City Treasurer position. Harris is surrounded by supporters at a press conference outside of Talgo, where she made her announcement this week. (Photo by Robert A. Bell)

On Monday afternoon, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor (2nd District) Nikiya Harris announced her candidacy for the State Senate seat currently held by Milwaukee City Treasurer Spencer Coggs. Before a crowd of supporters in front of Talgo Inc., Supervisor Harris declared herself part of a “new generation of leadership for Wisconsin.”

Decrying the estimated 35 jobs that are being lost at Talgo, Harris blamed Governor Scott Walker for refusing federal funding for a high-speed passenger rail line from Milwaukee and Madison. “Instead of securing Wisconsin’s position as a center for the manufacture of this green technology, we are losing both needed modern transportation infrastructure and the high-paying jobs that go with it.”

Supervisor Harris also recounted how a quality public education provided her with a path out of the public housing projects she lived in as a child. Harris grew up in Hampton Gardens and graduated from Washington High School and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. “My teachers at these institutions showed me there was another path I could take. They cared about me and my future,” noted Harris. She continued, “I feel a strong personal obligation to make sure that the next generation of Wisconsin students has the same opportunity for advancement that I had.”

Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Russell Stamper introduced Harris and announced his endorsement. She was also joined by members of several local unions.

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