Meet
Lena Taylor
Lena C. Taylor is serving her fifth term as a Wisconsin State Senator, representing the 4th Senate District, which includes portions of Shorewood, Wauwatosa, Glendale, and Milwaukee. Elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 2003 and to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2004, Taylor served as the first African-American Chair of the influential Senate Judiciary Committee and the first African-American woman to co-chair the powerful Joint Committee on Finance. Taylor currently serves on the Committee on Insurance, Financial Services, Government Oversight and Courts, Judiciary and Public Safety, Utilities and Housing, and the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties. Taylor has been an extremely effective legislator and seeks to bring those skills to all of Wisconsin.
As a Milwaukee native, Taylor still lives on the block she grew up on. She is a graduate of Rufus King H.S. and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. After earning a law degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, she practiced as a Public Defender. Eventually, she opened Taylor and Associates Law Office, a general practice firm in Milwaukee before going to the legislature.
Lena is passionate about her work and serving the needs of her district. Taylor is committed to addressing social determinants that cause persistent economic, health, and safety issues. Innovative and unwavering in her embrace of technology, Taylor always eager to help the State of Wisconsin redefine and re-imagine its identity. Lena knows that we have talented residents, resources, and the ability to create a state that is inclusive, vibrant, and progressive.
Taylor believes that while Wisconsin has experienced some growth, it has not kept pace with what is needed to ensure all of our residents are afforded a quality life. Whether attracting and retaining talent, or providing needed education, skills, and opportunities, Taylor understands that a rising tide should lift all boats. If the tide doesn't come in, Lena believes we are obligated to do the heavy lifting to provide the changes we want to see in Wisconsin.
Taylor is the proud mother to her son, Isaiah. And as always, Lena Taylor is here to serve!