Milwaukee Alderman Khalif Rainey is not seeking re-election

Rainey has served Milwaukee’s Seventh Aldermanic District since 2016

Alderman Khalif Rainey announced Thursday, December 21, 2023 he will not seek re-election. He has served Milwaukee’s Seventh Aldermanic District since 2016.

In a statement, Rainey included some of the items the Common Council accomplished that he is most proud of.

“When my colleagues and I started talking about food deserts and how to end them, few even seemed to understand the problem. Now it’s a priority. We lifted barriers for felons that prevented them from purchasing city-owned property. We pushed for simple, street-level changes to improve the cleanliness of our city and reduce reckless driving. We created an Equity Impact Statement to make legislation more transparent and evaluate it through a different lens.

“We created ‘Hip Hop Week MKE,’ a celebration of an art form I care very deeply about, and raised Milwaukee’s place in it to national notice,” Rainey said. “We also created an Office of African American Affairs to acknowledge and directly address the unique problems of a community so long plagued by racism, both open and systemic.”

Rainey was born and raised in Milwaukee’s 53206 ZIP code.

When he received a scholarship from a local philanthropist to attend college, it was stipulated that he study hard, work hard, and then bring back what he learned to his community for use in its service.

“I have spent my entire professional life trying to keep that promise,” Rainey said.

His term will end on April 16, 2024.

There are five other candidates running for Rainey’s seat. Nomination papers are due by close of business Jan. 2.

The spring primary is Feb. 20, and the spring general election is April 2, 2024.