Are you ready to pay attention to politics again and vote, Milwaukee? Neither are we, but here we are.

We kid, we kid. On Tuesday, February 18, Wisconsin will vote in the 2025 Spring Primary election. It’s not a super flashy primary, but, like all local elections, it’s super important and individual votes matter. Here’s the deal:

• Everyone in Wisconsin will vote in the primary for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Three candidates are running, and the top two vote-getters will move on to the general Spring Election on April 1. The winner will be responsible for setting education standards and policies for the entire state.

• In Milwaukee, East Side and some Riverwest residents will vote in the primary for District 3 Alderperson. The position was left vacant following the death of Jonathan Brostoff in November 2024. There are eight candidates running, and the top two vote-getters will move on to the general Spring Election on April 1. The winner will represent their district on the Milwaukee Common Council.

And, well, that’s it! Since the big Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel only involves two candidates, it doesn’t require a primary, and thus will be decided on April 1.

Here’s a handy, down-and-dirty voting guide for the February 18 primary. As always, find information on where to vote, how to register to vote, and more voting goodness at MyVoteWisconsin.com.

State Superintendent Of Public Instruction

Jeff Wright
• Two-time Democratic candidate for state Assembly
• Current Sauk Prairie School District superintendent
• Endorsed by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA)

Brittany Kinser
• Self-proclaimed moderate
• Education consultant from Milwaukee, “has never had a Wisconsin teacher’s license, and her administrator’s license lapsed last summer”
• Only candidate to support charter schools and school choice

Jill Underly
• Incumbent, elected in 2021 with 57.6% of the vote
• Endorsed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
• Was recently criticized for “lowering” the scores needed to reach certain levels in state Forward Exam tests

Milwaukee Alderperson District 3

Ieshuh Griffin
• Perennial candidate for just about everything: mayor, county executive, alderperson
• Made national headlines in 2010 for running for state Assembly with the slogan “NOT the whiteman’s bitch”

Nas Musa
• Co-owner of Moosa’s Lakefront Custard, Casablanca restaurants on Brady Street and in Brookfield
• “What if, in 20 years, Milwaukee was one of the least segregated cities in the U.S. and a national leader in public investments in our young artists?”

Daniel Bauman
• Born and raised in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood, currently lives in Riverwest
• Endorsed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson, former District 3 Alderperson Nik Kovac, widow of Jonathan Brostoff, more. (No relation to Ald. Bob Bauman.)

Alex Brower
• “As a member of the Common Council, I will work to replace We Energies with a municipal or cooperative utility using Chapter 197 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.”
• Endorsed by Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America

Frank Ferrante
• Currently pursing a master’s degree at UWM’s School of Freshwater Sciences
• Not to be confused with Los Angeles actor Frank Ferrante, who does a one-man Groucho Marx show. (But wouldn’t it be funny if a Groucho Marx impersonator was running in this race?)

Josh Anderson
• “First became involved in politics during the Act 10 protests. His family was profoundly affected by the legislation, which threatened public sector unions. It sparked Josh’s desire to advocate for workers’ rights and fueled his commitment to political activism.”
• Endorsed by Greater Milwaukee Green Party

Bryant Junco
• Currently works in the Orthopedic Department at Children’s Wisconsin
• Following rash of car break-ins in summer 2024, became self-described “one-man neighborhood watch” who “patrolled the streets late into the night with a mission to hunt these criminals who were destroying property and terrorizing our neighborhoods”
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “A candidate running for Milwaukee Common Council has faced a history of accusations by women in 3 states”

Alexander Kostal
• Lifelong East Sider, current Assistant State Public Defender
• Former president of Brady Street Neighborhood Association

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