Meet Mahlon Mitchell, Wisconsin Candidate For Governor

WISCONSIN — Mahlon Mitchell is running for Governor of Wisconsin, and will appear on the Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018 primary election ballot in what many consider a crowded Democratic primary. The winner will likely take on Republican Gov. Scott Walker in the Nov. general election.

Mitchell, a Lieutenant on the Madison Fire Department and President of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin says that his top priorities are wages, education, and criminal justice reform. "Going in the right direction on these key issues will make an unmatched generational impact on our state," he told Patch.

We reached out to Mitchell's campaign to learn more about his candidacy. Here are Mitchell's responses in his own words:

Name: Mahlon Mitchell

Age: 41

Hometown: Delavan, WI

Occupation: Lieutenant, Madison Fire Department & President, Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin & President, IAFF Local 311

Please characterize where you fall on the political spectrum (liberal/moderate/conservative, etc.): Progressive

Please describe your relevant political experience:

As president of a union that represents the mythical Obama/Trump voter, I’ve also had to work in a bipartisan way to push forth legislation the protects the lives and families of firefighters. We do ourselves a disservice when we seek to divide and conquer - that has been the Walker strategy and governance and it’s left our state with in chaos.

People, places and industries are struggling with exception from those at the top. While I’m on the trail, I pledge to be progressive, pragmatic and productive. I am a proud progressive Democrat but I know that I will likely have to work with a Republican legislature and it will require me to be pragmatic.

We will be an administration that centers around constructive compromise instead of constant conflict - but doing so we can ensure that we are productive.As Wisconsin’s first black governor, I will see myself as having a unique opportunity to speak to the issues that matter to working people and disadvantaged groups. I want to use my position to build political power and raise everybody up, creating opportunity, social justice, and economic prosperity.We tackle the problems of our state when we find ways for all to have the freedom to thrive - that means finding common ground when we can but stand our ground when we must.

Please talk about the top 1 or 2 leading issues in your campaign and how you plan to approach them if elected:

My top priorities are wages, education, and criminal justice reform. Going in the right direction on these key issues will make an unmatched generational impact on our state. We need to bring the voice of working people back to the table and have everyone heard on the issues and legislation that impacts them. As published in my Together We Rise policy agenda, to tackle these priorities, I would establish regional sectoral commissions and creating a $15/hr wage floor across the state of Wisconsin and push for a state constitutional amendment requiring the state to fund public education to the 2/3rds level.

The era of ignoring the concerns of people across this state in favor of corporate handouts will come to an end, and we will work together to restore Wisconsin’s progressive traditions and ensure that everyone has a family-sustaining job, access to affordable healthcare, quality public education and living in a society that is fair, just and allows for all men and women in our state to climb the ladder of opportunity.

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