Democratic Candidate Runs Unopposed for Leading Law Enforcement Role in Milwaukee County

Only one person has filed to run for district attorney in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, despite spikes in concern about the selections for top law enforcement officials in the country’s most important cities.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced he would not be seeking reelection this year, marking the first time the seat will be open in 15 years. Only one candidate, Democrat Kent Lovern, chief deputy in the office under Chisholm, filed to run and will be on the ballot, according to The Recombobulation Area.

Despite Republicans’ constant attacks on Chisholm over his tenure in office, no one filed to run against his chief deputy. Milwaukee County is Wisconsin’s most populous county and a Democratic-stronghold in the state.

Since he took office in 2006, Chisholm has never faced a Republican challenger and was completely unopposed in 2008 and 2012. Shortly after Chisholm announced his retirement, Lovern put his hat in the ring, receiving endorsements from Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), who represents the Milwaukee area.

“Kent’s unwavering commitment to public safety and his collaborative efforts with community organizations and law enforcement agencies have been instrumental in making Milwaukee a safer, more just community for all,” Johnson said.

In all but four Wisconsin counties, only one candidate filed to run for district attorney. Despite Republicans’ attacks on district attorneys in swing states such as Wisconsin and Georgia, and solid-blue states such as California, most Wisconsin counties will not have a competitive race.

In Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis survived a challenge in the Democratic primary. Willis has been under scrutiny by Republicans for her prosecution of former President Donald Trump over his attempts to overturn the election results in Georgia. In November, she will face Republican Courtney Kramer in the general election.

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In California, liberal district attorneys have been put on defense as they face challenges in some solidly blue districts. Los Angeles voters will decide between incumbent District Attorney George Gascon, a Democrat, and former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman. Gascon has faced criticism for many liberal policies regarding prosecution. Some have said he is too lenient on criminal offenders but not empathetic enough to victims of crimes.

San Francisco County is also entangled in a fierce debate over liberal prosecutors following the 2022 recall of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and his liberal policies. In neighboring Alameda County, District Attorney Pamela Price is also facing a recall.