While state Rep. Russell Goodwin, D-Milwaukee, continues to believe his vote for a $1.8 billion surplus package was the right move for his constituents, primary challenger Jordan Roman says he wouldn’t have supported it unless there were significant changes.

Goodwin, who’s seeking his second term representing the 12th AD that includes northern Milwaukee, parts of northern Wauwatosa and western Brown Deer, was one of 10 Assembly Dems who voted for the deal.

The $1.8 billion surplus package proposed by Dem. Gov. Tony Evers with support from GOP legislative leaders failed to pass in May. It included money to increase special education reimbursement, drive down school property taxes and send rebate checks to taxpayers. 

In an interview with WisPolitics, Goodwin said his vote honored his constituents’ wishes, even though he “understood the concerns of Democratic colleagues.” 

“I had been promising the people of District 12 that when there were opportunities to reduce their property taxes and to vote to get school funding for Milwaukee public schools, that I would vote for it,” Goodwin said. “I wanted them to know that you guys aren’t just a blank check. I have to do things to help balance this property tax.” 

Roman, a former president for the Milwaukee Urban League who hasn’t run for political office previously, said in an interview the package should‘ve been “negotiated better.” 

“I think there were issues in the long-term sustainability of the bill, so while ensuring that those funds were being allocated for education, did that really cover the gap that we needed long term?” Roman said. “If I had been in the Legislature, I probably would not have voted for it as it was currently written.” 

Goodwin and Roman also disagree on a moratorium on data center developments. Goodwin said he wouldn’t support one and expressed frustration that the Legislature didn’t approve new regulations before adjourning in late winter.

“Instead of waiting and putting on a moratorium and all of that, we should be actively working to put regulations in now to make sure that they’re done the way that we want them done in Wisconsin,” Goodwin said. 

Roman called a possible moratorium “good news.” He said that ensuring there are protections for constituents before data center developments continue is important. 

Both candidates agreed on funding the expired Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, a bipartisan program that preserves natural areas in Wisconsin. Additionally, both said local and state law enforcement shouldn’t assist federal immigration enforcement efforts, with Goodwin saying the Milwaukee Police Department is “too busy” to assist. 

The winner of the Aug. 11 primary will be unopposed on the November ballot in the heavily Dem district.

WisPolitics is interviewing candidates in top legislative primaries ahead of the Aug. 11 election, and this is part of a series that will be released in the coming weeks. See previous interviews here.