By Grace Carlson

Incumbent Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, D-Milwaukee, faces a primary challenge in the 8th AD that she’s represented since 2020 after breaking from the Dem caucus last fall amid allegations that she threatened several colleagues.

Her Dem primary challenger, Ismael Luna of Milwaukee, is a case manager for homeless women at the Cathedral Center in Milwaukee. He hasn’t run for office previously. 

The candidates hold different positions on the failed $1.8 billion bipartisan surplus package. The proposal surplus deal included $870 million for one-time rebates, $315 million to boost reimbursements for special education costs and $302.5 million for a new school aid beginning in 2026-27 that would drive down the property taxes that districts collect, as well as eliminate taxes on tips and overtime pay.

Ortiz-Velez was one of 10 Assembly Democrats to vote for the deal, highlighting the importance of special education funding and support for working-class families in her district. 

“I represent a district that has many working-class families, and because of that, I know when it comes to overtime pay and tax being removed from that, that would have made a huge impact on the people that I serve,” Ortiz-Velez said in an interview with WisPolitics. 

Luna said he wouldn’t have voted for the package, stating it would not have helped the community as a whole and wished the surplus funds could have been used to replace lead pipes and for better housing in the South Side of Milwaukee. 

“I would have voted for something that would benefit more of the community as a whole other than this bill,” Luna told WisPolitics. 

The 8th AD encompasses the south side of Milwaukee.  

Both candidates support a moratorium on data center developments. 

“I am hoping next session that we can take another look at the bill and make sure that we are protecting our environments, protecting our rights and our future,” Ortiz-Velez said. 

Luna highlighted the need for more research on the environmental impacts of data centers before more developments break ground. 

Ortiz-Velez and Luna hold similar views on renewing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, as well as not allowing federal immigration enforcement efforts to be aided by local and state governments. Luna noted the importance of protecting immigrant families in District 8.