Meet Theodore Lipscomb, Milwaukee County Executive Candidate

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI — Theodore Lipscomb, Sr. is one of several candidates who will be on the Feb. 18 primary ballot for Milwaukee County Executive.

Lipscomb is the current Milwaukee County Board Chair, and has a distinguished career in county government.

"In 2018, I fought back against over $1 million in dark money spending from an outside group trying to defeat me, but because of grassroots efforts and strong community recognition of my record of fighting for my constituents, I won re-election," he told Patch. Since then, I have brought the County Board and current County Executive together in a united effort to achieve a 'Fair Deal for Milwaukee County.' Now I’m running to be your next Milwaukee County Executive."

Lipscomb says he's been heading up an effort to improve Milwaukee County's finances in order to invest in stronger transit, better parks, and improved social services. "We need to be honest about the fiscal challenges we face and focus on tackling our budget and future obligations," he told Patch.

Lipscomb says he wants to improve county services across the board in order to address Milwaukee County residents' most fundamental concerns.

"From homelessness to roads, parks to transit, we’re going to make Milwaukee County stronger, in every city and village," he said.

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Name: Theodore Lipscomb, Sr.
Age: 44
Hometown: Glendale, WI
Occupation: Milwaukee County Board Chairman

Political Experience:

I was first elected as a write-in candidate against an incumbent County Supervisor in 2008. I’ve been doing the business of our county for 12 years now, nearly five as the Chairman.

I’ve served on every standing committee and have vast experience dealing with our County finances and policy.

In 2018, I fought back against over $1 million in dark money spending from an outside group trying to defeat me, but because of grassroots efforts and strong community recognition of my record of fighting for my constituents, I won re-election.

Since then, I have brought the County Board and current County Executive together in a united effort to achieve a "Fair Deal for Milwaukee County." Now I’m running to be your next Milwaukee County Executive.

Top issues and how I would approach them if elected:

We must achieve a "Fair Deal for Milwaukee County" and address our County’s finances. We need an increase in revenue from the state or new tools such as a sales tax (that can also be used to reduce property taxes) in order to invest in stronger transit, better parks, and improved social services. We need to be honest about the fiscal challenges we face and focus on tackling our budget and future obligations. If we face these challenges head on right now, then we can pursue the opportunities in front of us and make sure we are leaving the next generation a Milwaukee County that is stronger than what we inherited.

The most important thing for our citizens is their quality of life in Milwaukee County. This means working with our new Sheriff’s Office, municipal offices, and other community leaders to address our most fundamental concerns. From homelessness to roads, parks to transit, we’re going to make Milwaukee County stronger, in every city and village. Milwaukee County provides services from A-Z, that is Airport to the Zoo, some of those services we all use daily, while others safety net services you likely hope to never need, but it is important that we provide them and do it well so that you, your family and your neighbors can live their best life.

An interesting fact about me:

As an infant, I was included in a medical journal for thriving after a rare type of hip tumor, one that was previously known to occur in older adults. I recovered well and went on to be athletic in my youth, even competing nationally as a hurdler before college. While this doesn't make me a medical miracle, I have been blessed with quality medical care (even life saving care) and it makes me appreciate the stress faced by too many of our neighbors who are under-insured or uninsured.