© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Rep. Gwen Moore Resolves to Court Voters Who Didn't Pick Her in Tuesday's Primary

Moore says she has work to do, as she heads toward another term in the House
Credit Bonnie Petrie
Congresswoman Gwen Moore at her north side primary election victory party.

A Democratic challenge against Milwaukee Congresswoman Gwen Moore failed. Former State Senator Gary George received less than 20-percent of the vote, in Tuesday’s primary. An intimate group of staff and supporters gathered at the Savoy Nite Club on Milwaukee’s north side to cheer Moore afterward. But when the eleven-year incumbent noted that more than ten percent of constituents voted for her opponent, she resolved to earn their support.

"I need to get with them. I need to talk with them and reach out to them," Moore said.

Moore reiterated that goal in a conversation a few minutes later.

"Oh, absolutely. I want to reach out to all of the constituents because we have some heavy lifting to do when it comes November," Moore said.

Moore’s primary win means she will serve a seventh, two-year term, in Congress, as no Republican is running against her in November.

The Congresswoman thinks all those years of experience are part of the reason an overwhelming majority of Democrats in her district voted to stick with her.

"Seniority means a lot, I have relationships. I have the ability to with the leadership in both parties, and you don’t walk into the door with all those things, and I think that when a member of Congress leaves, if they’ve done anything, the district loses that," Moore said.

But one Moore supporter – 42-year-old Antonio Jones - says he chose her because she’s focused on creating a stronger fourth district.

"I grew up in the streets, in Chicago. So, I understand the streets. So it’s how I don’t want to see these young men and women doing the same things I did. So she’s saying she’s going to do more to get these children more options. So when you give them more options, then they have something to look forward to. So that’s what I like," Jones said.

Actually Jones admitted that when he voted for Congresswoman Moore Tuesday, it was the first time he’s ever voted. He says looking forward to voting for a second time, in the presidential election in November.

Related Content