Incumbent Lena Taylor Wins Wisconsin’s 4th Senate District Primary

Incumbent state Sen. Lena Taylor has held on to her seat representing Wisconsin’s 4th Senate District.

Taylor, a Democrat, beat state Rep. Mandela Barnes in Tuesday’s partisan primary for the Milwaukee-area district, according to the Associated Press.

Taylor is likely headed to re-election in her Milwaukee County district. She has been in the state Senate for 13 years and won with about 60 percent of the vote on Tuesday night. She garnered 11,420 votes, according to Associated Press vote totals.

Barnes, who was elected to the state Assembly in 2012, earned 7,414 votes.

During the race, Taylor touted her contacts with constituents and work on topics like the criminal justice system and collective bargaining legislation.

Barnes had criticized Taylor for supporting voucher schools and the concealed carry of firearms law. Barnes told Wisconsin Public Radio the race was about public safety and that guns shouldn’t be on the streets, referencing votes by Taylor in favor of concealed carry of firearms and the Castle Doctrine.

But Taylor said her win is a victory for progressives.

“I’m so progressive that I think I’m more progressive than the people that think they’re progressive,” Taylor said. “As a matter of fact, I’m progressive for my constituents, as well as the LGBT community, women. You name it.”

Taylor says she wants to continue to work on corrections reform, education and workforce development. She also said she hopes to help Democrats regain control of the state Senate.

No Republicans are running in the race.