Elizabeth M. Coggs
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth M. Coggs, also known as Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, is a Wisconsin
Democratic
politician
. She has served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors as county supervisor for the 10th district since 1988, and as of January, 2011 will begin her first term as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
, succeeding Annette Polly Williams
.
, was one of the first African-Americans elected to the State Assembly (in 1952) and the County Board (in 1964). Her mother, Marcia P. Coggs
, was the first African-American woman elected to either house of the Wisconsin Legislature (in 1976).
She graduated from Lincoln High School
, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
In 2010 she defeated two other candidates to win the primary election for the State Assembly in the 10th District after Annette Polly Williams announced that she was not running for election. Her only opponent was independent Ieshuh Griffin, who attracted national attention (including an appearance on The Daily Show
) for eventually unsuccessful efforts to label herself as "NOT the 'whiteman's bitch'" (utilizing a state rule that allows independent candidates to use a five-word statement of purpose on the ballot to categorize themselves) on the election ballot. Coggs received 15,874 votes; Griffin 1223.
.
Two of her cousins, Spencer Coggs
and Leon Young, are already state legislators.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
Democratic
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
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She has served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors as county supervisor for the 10th district since 1988, and as of January, 2011 will begin her first term as a 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....
, succeeding Annette Polly Williams
Annette Polly Williams
Annette Polly Williams is an American counselor, clerical worker and politician from Milwaukee who served 10 terms as a Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing her assembly district from her election in 1980 until January 3, 2011.- Background :Williams was born in...
.
Background
Coggs is a lifelong Milwaukee resident. Her father, Isaac N. CoggsIsaac N. Coggs
Isaac N. Coggs was an American Democratic politician from Wisconsin.Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, Coggs graduated from University of Wisconsin–Madison and served in the United States Army during World War II...
, was one of the first African-Americans elected to the State Assembly (in 1952) and the County Board (in 1964). Her mother, Marcia P. Coggs
Marcia P. Coggs
Marcia P. Coggs was an American Democratic politician.Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Coggs graduated from University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Coggs served in the Wisconsin State Assembly 1977-1993 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.-Notes:...
, was the first African-American woman elected to either house of the Wisconsin Legislature (in 1976).
She graduated from Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Lincoln High School was a public high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the corner of Cass and Knapp Streets. It was a part of the Milwaukee Public Schools system....
, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Politics
She was first elected a county supervisor in 1988, being re-elected from 1992-2008. As of 2010 she was the longest-serving member of the County Board.In 2010 she defeated two other candidates to win the primary election for the State Assembly in the 10th District after Annette Polly Williams announced that she was not running for election. Her only opponent was independent Ieshuh Griffin, who attracted national attention (including an appearance on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
) for eventually unsuccessful efforts to label herself as "NOT the 'whiteman's bitch'" (utilizing a state rule that allows independent candidates to use a five-word statement of purpose on the ballot to categorize themselves) on the election ballot. Coggs received 15,874 votes; Griffin 1223.
Personal life
She was formerly married to Wendell Jones, whom she divorced in 2008, and is the mother of Priscilla, Chloé and Devona. She belongs to the Church of God in ChristChurch of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ is a Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination with a predominantly African-American membership. With nearly five million members in the United States and 12,000 congregations, it is the largest Pentecostal church and the fifth largest Christian church in the U.S....
.
Two of her cousins, Spencer Coggs
Spencer Coggs
G. Spencer Coggs is a Democratic Party of Wisconsin member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 6th district since 2003.-Early life, education and career:...
and Leon Young, are already state legislators.