Johnnie E. Morris
Encyclopedia
Johnnie Elaine Morris-Tatum (also known as Johnnie Morris) (born July 9, 1951) is a Democratic
politician from Milwaukee, and a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
.
, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Theological Institute. She worked as a mortgage company manager and supervisor, as the director of the Milwaukee Coalition Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse and as the executive director of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, before being elected to the Wisconsin Assembly's 11th district in 1992.
District seat (being vacated by Gwen Moore
), running unsuccessfully against State Representative Lena Taylor
(the winner) and Milwaukee County Supervisor James G. White in the Democratic primary
. Her successor is Jason Fields
.
, the State Capital; but no charges were filed. In 2002, Morris-Tatum agreed to pay to pay a $1000 fine for over $12,000 in questionable long distance telephone calls between October 1999 and July 2001, for which she had been reimbursed by the Assembly, including about $6,000 in calls to Senegal
. She was still re-elected without opposition in 2002.
of Humanities
from Trinity Hall College and Seminary (in Chicago) in 1996 during her time as a legislator. Since leaving the legialature, she has become Milwaukee Director of the Safe Families for Children program.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Milwaukee, and a former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
.
Background
Morris-Tatum was born in Milwaukee, and attended West Division High School, Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee Area Technical College is a two-year vocational-technical college based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MATC offers day, evening, and weekend classes at campuses in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, West Allis, and Mequon. Enrollment is about 60,000...
, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Theological Institute. She worked as a mortgage company manager and supervisor, as the director of the Milwaukee Coalition Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse and as the executive director of the Midtown Neighborhood Association, before being elected to the Wisconsin Assembly's 11th district in 1992.
Career in the Assembly
Morris-Tatum was re-elected for four terms, but in 2004 chose to run for the 4th Wisconsin State SenateWisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
District seat (being vacated by Gwen Moore
Gwen Moore
Gwendolynne Sophia Moore is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is based in Milwaukee and also includes South Milwaukee, Cudahy and St. Francis, and part of West Allis. She is the first woman to represent the district...
), running unsuccessfully against State Representative Lena Taylor
Lena Taylor
Lena C. Taylor is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 4th District since 2005. She previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, representing the 18th District from 2003 through 2005....
(the winner) and Milwaukee County Supervisor James G. White in the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. Her successor is Jason Fields
Jason Fields
Jason M. Fields is a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 11th Assembly District since 2004.-External links:* official government website* Follow the Money - Jason M Fields** campaign contributions...
.
Ethics charges
In 2001, local journalist Bruce Murphy accused Morris-Tatum of overcharging for mileage to and from MadisonMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, the State Capital; but no charges were filed. In 2002, Morris-Tatum agreed to pay to pay a $1000 fine for over $12,000 in questionable long distance telephone calls between October 1999 and July 2001, for which she had been reimbursed by the Assembly, including about $6,000 in calls to Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
. She was still re-elected without opposition in 2002.
Personal life
Morris-Tatum is married and has 2 children. She received a DoctorateDoctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
of Humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
from Trinity Hall College and Seminary (in Chicago) in 1996 during her time as a legislator. Since leaving the legialature, she has become Milwaukee Director of the Safe Families for Children program.