By Grace Carlson

Rep. Priscilla Prado, D-Milwaukee, is looking to hold off primary challenger Mimi Reza of Milwaukee in her reelection campaign to the 9th AD, which encompasses parts of the south side of Milwaukee and the Village of West Milwaukee.

Reza is a supervisor in healthcare administration and is on the Milwaukee Public School Board, representing District 6. The winner of the primary will face Republican Sam Guerrero, a Marquette student, in the general election.

Prado and Reza both see increasing funding for public education as one of the top priorities should they enter the Legislature next session. 

Additionally, the two candidates see funding education as a way to provide property tax relief by reducing the financial burden on local entities for school funding.

The two agree on other topics, such as the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program being renewed and that local and state law enforcement shouldn’t be assisting federal immigration efforts. 

They differ slightly on other policies, such as what role the state should take in regulating data center developments. Prado doesn’t support a moratorium on data center development, stating that “it’s important that we see how things play out.” 

However, both Prado and Reza cite a need to protect local communities, energy usage and water supply when considering these types of development projects.

Reza said she doesn’t know if she would support a moratorium on data center development but is in favor of transparency throughout the entire development process.

“I would be very indecisive on that one; I would need to see the data before I can make a decision,” Reza said. 

Beyond that, Prado would like to expand the state’s Homestead Tax Credit and support policies that incentivize efforts to increase the state’s housing supply. 

She’d also said the state should make efforts to increase school funding and provide property tax relief outside of the failed $1.8 billion surplus package, saying that “we can’t just put Band-Aids on things.” 

“It’s important that we forecast for the future and that we make sure that we’re not just taking care of things temporarily,” Prado said. 

Reza would like to see more effort put toward reducing the costs of prescription medication and making other forms of healthcare more affordable.