LaToya Bates

LaToya Bates was born in Wisconsin.

She earned a bachelor's degree from Alverno College, a graduate degree from the Alverno College, and a graduate degree from Cardinal Stritch University. Her career experience includes working as an educator, business owner, and faith leader.[1]

Bates has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Alverno College

Black Church Food Security Network

Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism

Democratic Party of Dodge County

Democratic Party of Fond du Lac County

Milwaukee Food Council

Milwaukee Reentry Council

Minnesota Farmers Market Association

National Association of Women Business Owners

National Education Association

Nehemiah Services

Prison Action Milwaukee

Wisconsin Farmers Market Association

Wisconsin Women in Conservation

WisDems

Wounded Wings Association

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

LaToya Bates is an educator, social entrepreneur, and faith leader. A former k-12 educator, LaToya is the Founding Director of Wounded Wings: Association for the Betterment of Women and Girls that serves survivors of sexual and domestic abuse. She is the owner and manager of Lauryn Wynter Company, a family run event management group that plans corporate and social events, including the Whitefish Bay Farmers market and Sprouts. LaToya is a graduate of Alverno College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Management with Adult Education and Psychology supports, as well as a Master of Education with an emphasis on Organizational Development. LaToya’s studies included a Master of Arts in Counseling at Lakeland College, and she earned a Master of Pastoral Studies from Cardinal Stritch University.

LaToya believes we are each called to go where God leads and is committed to bridging the divide between rural and urban communities, supporting farmers, small businesses, women and families in the process. The mother of two, she will fight for education, health care and lowering costs for families. A lifelong Democrat, LaToya is proud to call Mayville home. LaToya was elected as a delegate, representing the 6th Congressional District at the Democratic National Convention and a delegate for Dodge County at the Wisconsin Democratic Convention.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Healthcare Access

Rural communities need access to mental health treatment, level one trauma centers, and family care providers. Access helps ensure timely care for medical and mental health needs. I will advocate for quality healthcare and will seek ways to lower out of pocket costs for medication, doctor and emergency room visits. No one should be denied lifesaving medical treatment because of where they live or the type of insurance they have. In the Wisconsin State Assembly, I’ll continue to amplify the voices of women to ensure we have agency in matters of health and control of our medical and reproductive decisions.Improving Schools and Educational Programs

An educator and mother, I have first hand knowledge of the challenges teachers face. Funding must reach our students to eliminate crowded classrooms, serve rural communities, and support those who have special education needs. I want to restore unions and protect teachers’ power to make decisions for their students and their classroom. The arts are essential. I support having library media and technology programming, a school nurse and social worker in every school. We can’t move Wisconsin forward without investing in our kids and that includes creating pathways to college.Lower Costs for Families

People in Wisconsin work hard to put food on the table, gas in the tank and care for their families. Grocery bills are getting larger while our grocery bags are smaller. We feel the pinch at the pump with gas prices and other everyday expenses higher than before. Many big corporations continue to put profits over people offering low wages and high prices. Let’s stop giving tax breaks to big business that inflate prices on essential goods and services. Instead, let's support our families and ensure they take home what they need to provide for themselves.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, healthcare, agriculture, housing, immigration, taxation and small businesses.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My maternal great grandmother was enslaved and died a sharecropper. As a young adult, my Nana joined Vel Philips in the nightly marches to end housing segregation in Milwaukee. She fought with my mother in tow. I marched after the murder of Trayvon Martin, my daughter in tow. A college sophomore, my daughter marched in protest of the murder of George Floyd. There are times when marching isn’t enough. Sometimes you have to run.

As a Marine, my Papa fought. My Nana, mother and daughter marched. I had to run. I have a long list of people prepared me for this journey. My Nana, Thelma Thompson, and Papa, Orsby Moffett, taught me the power of my vote and my integrity. Zoreah Emami, Gwen Moore, Sr. Patricia Jensen, Lena Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, Elizabeth Palmer, Sarah Godlewski, Tammy Baldwin, Frances Huntley-Cooper, Vel Phillips- women who taught me to lead, give and live. I am inspired by my children, Wynter and Emerald who have uncapped expectations that elevate their goals and objectives. I look up to people who keep fighting and cling to faith that better can be and work until it is. I am privileged to know so many amazing people that are oft unsung, but are true heroes.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

We had a rainy May and I found myself knocking doors and introducing myself to people on the most wet and gloomy days. I’ve canvassed for other candidates many times, but I had never been the person on the ballot before. I met some great people. Fellow educators. War vets. Parents. Just good folks who were kind enough to open the door for a soaking wet stranger holding a clipboard. Many let me step inside to talk, a one couple even got me a chair as we talked about our country and the future of our democracy. Several people assumed I was a republican or that I came from some big city. Learning that a Democrat from Mayville was running for State Assembly brought a smile to many people’s faces. Even those with different views took the time to talk and tell me what matters most to them. Jobs, immigration, healthcare, the integrity of our elected officials and the need to protect our democracy as well as individual freedoms. This illustrated the importance of representation and the need to truly listen to the people in our district. I am committing to knocking on many more doors and ensuring everyone has a voice when I am in office. I will never forget the kindness of the people I met nor the issues that matter to them.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Adelante Madison and other endorsements pending.