Nikiya Dodd and Matthew Elder advance to general election for Milwaukee's 5th District aldermanic seat

Former state Sen. Nikiya Dodd and political newcomer Matthew Elder will vie for Milwaukee's 5th District aldermanic seat in the Nov. 6 general election, after finishing as the top vote-getters in Tuesday's primary.

Dodd was the clear front-runner among the five candidates with 46 percent of the vote, to Elder's 19 percent, with 95 percent of the precincts reporting.

"I'm happy to see that people are excited about me coming back into politics and being their voice again," she said.

Elder said he was "excited" by the results.

"I felt like it was a David and Goliath kind of race, grass roots vs. establishment. And I'm excited to go into November with this," he said.

The northwest-side seat was vacated in May when veteran Ald. Jim Bohl, who represented the district for 18 years, stepped down to lead the Office of Intergovernmental Relations as the city's top lobbyist.

Bohl endorsed Dodd, a Milwaukee Democrat who also served on the Milwaukee County Board. 

ELECTION RESULTS: Wisconsin and Milwaukee-area fall primary election

FULL COVERAGE: 2018 Wisconsin Elections

A Colorado native, Elder, 33, moved to Milwaukee six years ago, and the 5th District race marked his first foray into politics.

Dodd and Elder bested three other candidates: Milwaukee firefighter Brian Merkel, longtime volunteer and Milwaukee Public Schools aide Eva Roberson and public health advocate Tonda Thompson.

Dodd, 43, was born and raised in Milwaukee, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's degree in educational policy and community studies and a master's in administrative leadership.

Elder works as a government programs analyst. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Metropolitan University of Denver and a master's in public administration from the University of Colorado-Denver. 

Both candidates said their priorities are public safety, better roads and infrastructure, and neighborhood and business investment.

For complete election coverage, subscribe to the Journal Sentinel atjsonline.com/deal.