John Tate Announces Bid For Open 66th Assembly Seat

RACINE, WI — A Racine alderman has announced his intentions to run for the open 66th State Assembly District seat, recently vacated when Cory Mason was sworn in as Racine's mayor.

John Tate II, a lifelong Racine resident and Racine's third-district alderman, announced his candidacy for the open seat. Tate has held the position of alderman for about six months. He will run as a Democrat.

“(A)s a lifelong Racine resident, I have seen first-hand the toll that shuttered factories and right-wing attacks have taken on our county. I will fight every day to bring family-supporting jobs to our neighbors and communities,” according to a press release by Tate, as originally published in the Racine County Eye.

According to a Q&A on the City of Racine website, Tate said that his experience as a human services provider has helped him understand that public service and policy are one of the most effective ways to bring about lasting change.

"I believe that democracy - when exercised correctly - can be a model for how the world can work. Democracy invites the public to be involved and engaged in the political process. And, when we do just that, we often find that we're not so different from one another, our challenges aren't so unique and our solutions require cooperation not separation," Tate wrote.

Gov. Scott Walker today issued an Executive Order which calls a special election for the 66th Assembly District following Mason's departure. Walker ordered the special election to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. If a primary is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.

Circulation of nomination papers for candidates began Nov. 7. Nomination papers must be filed no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.

Image Via City of Racine Website