Assembly Democrat announces state Senate bid

MADISON — A Democratic state representative says she'll run for an open state Senate seat this fall.

Rep. LaTonya Johnson announced Tuesday she'll seek the seat in the Senate's 6th District, which covers Milwaukee's northwest side. Incumbent Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd, a Democrat, announced last month she won't seek re-election to a second term, citing her commitment to her 16-month-old son.

Johnson is finishing her second term representing the 17th Assembly District, which encompasses west-central Milwaukee. She currently serves on the Assembly's criminal justice, family law, financial institutions and children and families committees.