Latest news with #Washington-Spivey
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
La Crosse has elected its first-ever Black and openly LGBTQ+ mayor
In a historic win, Shaundel Washington-Spivey defeated City Council President Chris Kahlow in La Crosse's mayoral race this week, becoming the first Black mayor and first openly LGBTQ+ mayor in the city's history. Washington-Spivey narrowly defeated Kahlow, with just 451 votes separating the two candidates, according to unofficial election results from the La Crosse County Clerk's Office. He received 9,012 votes —or 50.82% — of the vote while Kahlow received 8,561 votes. Washington-Spivey will replace Mayor Mitch Reynolds, who did not seek re-election. Washington-Spivery will take office on Tuesday, April 15, according to WXOW. The incoming mayor told WXOW on Tuesday he is "excited and ready to get to work on day one," before highlighting some priorities for his first 100 days in office. Washington-Spivey went on to tell WXOW "the identities we hold matter." 'While race is a social construct, at the end of the day, who we are and our lived existence needs to be understood, appreciated and respected for what it is," he said. "And I just look forward to making sure that we bring this community together across difference.' His campaign did not immediately respond to the Journal Sentinel's requests for comment. Washington-Spivey co-founded non-profit Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K. ), Inc., and currently serves as its executive director, according to his campaign website. He is a member of Gov. Tony Evers' Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council and previously served as an elected member on the La Crosse School Board. According to his campaign website, Washington-Spivey is a "proud two-time alumnus" of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, receiving his bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in student affairs administration. He is also currently pursuing graduate degrees in mental health counseling and counselor education at Viterbo University. More: Who won in the Wisconsin election? Who won the Wisconsin Supreme Court race? We have all the results More: Susan Crawford says Elon Musk motivated voters in her Wisconsin Supreme Court win This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: La Crosse, Wisconsin elects first Black, openly LGBTQ+ mayor
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
La Crosse Mayoral candidates, in their own words
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – With just a little over a week before the Spring Elections, the two finalists for mayor in La Crosse are finishing up their election campaigns. Chris Kahlow and Shaundel Washington-Spivey have spent the last few months campaigning to become the next mayor of the city of La Crosse. Both are UW La Crosse Alumni and have spent plenty of time in La Crosse after graduation. Kahlow has been a business owner and La Crosse City Council president for the last 2 years. Kahlow says, 'We have chaos and uncertainty in Washington (DC). We have political divisiveness in Madison. Now we need a leader who is steady and experienced and able to move La Crosse forward.' Shaundel Washington-Spivey has served on the La Crosse School Board and founded Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge. A local non-profit. Washington-Spivey says, 'I think it's time for us to have a mayor that understands what it's like to do grassroots organizing, be boots on the ground doing the work, listening to the people, and moving that to city hall.' Both candidates say topics like homelessness, small businesses, and affordable housing are things they will focus on if they are elected mayor. Washington-Spivey says, 'I'd be looking at making sure that we have a variety of housing in our neighborhoods and making sure our neighborhoods are accessible to everyone. In addition to working with our unhoused populations. Elevating and advancing the Pathways Home program is… definitely an initiative that I plan to proceed with. Also making sure we're proceeding with a vibrant business culture and seeing what supports we can bring from the state over into La Crosse to increase both our businesses and business support.' Kahlow explains, 'I'd be supporting strong public safety to make sure our residents and businesses are safe. It means working collaboratively on homelessness and housing issues. Making sure we have regional, state, and federal cooperation on that homelessness issue. It also means I will prioritize a mix of housing choices. we need to balance affordability with maintaining the character and charm of our neighborhoods.' If elected, Kahlow would become La Crosse's first female mayor and Washington-Spivey would become La Crosse's first African-American mayor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
