Amani Latimer Burris

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Amani Latimer Burris
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Prior offices
Madison Common Council District 12
Successor: Julia Matthews

Elections and appointments
Last election

April 1, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, 1991

Personal
Birthplace
Madison, Wis.
Profession
Advocacy
Contact

Amani Latimer Burris was a member of the Madison Common Council in Wisconsin, representing District 12. She assumed office on April 18, 2023. She left office on April 15, 2025.

Latimer Burris ran for re-election to the Madison Common Council to represent District 12 in Wisconsin. She lost in the general election on April 1, 2025.

Latimer Burris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Amani Latimer Burris was born in Madison, Wisconsin. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1991. She also attended the University of Minnesota.

Latimer Burris' professional experience includes working as a journalist, small business owner, educator, and legislative aide for Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor (D). She has also worked as a field and community organizer for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the Biden-Harris Campaign, the National Urban League, the NAACP, and the Pete Buttigieg Presidential Campaign.[1][2]

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Madison, Wisconsin (2025)

General election

General election for Madison Common Council District 12

Julia Matthews defeated incumbent Amani Latimer Burris in the general election for Madison Common Council District 12 on April 1, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
53.3
 
3,477
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
46.1
 
3,008
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
39

Total votes: 6,524
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Madison Common Council District 12

Incumbent Amani Latimer Burris and Julia Matthews defeated Hussein Amach in the primary for Madison Common Council District 12 on February 18, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
52.5
 
1,031
Image of Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
42.0
 
825
Hussein Amach (Nonpartisan)
 
4.9
 
96
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.7
 
13

Total votes: 1,965
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

2023

See also: City elections in Madison, Wisconsin (2023)

General election

General election for Madison Common Council District 12

Amani Latimer Burris defeated Julia Matthews in the general election for Madison Common Council District 12 on April 4, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan)
 
56.6
 
3,177
Image of Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
42.8
 
2,402
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.6
 
34

Total votes: 5,613
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Madison Common Council District 12

Julia Matthews and Amani Latimer Burris defeated Blake Alvarenga, Victor Toniolo, and Josh Walling in the primary for Madison Common Council District 12 on February 21, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
33.9
 
1,221
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan)
 
30.7
 
1,105
Image of Blake Alvarenga
Blake Alvarenga (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
15.0
 
540
Image of Victor Toniolo
Victor Toniolo (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
14.0
 
503
Josh Walling (Nonpartisan)
 
4.9
 
175
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.6
 
56

Total votes: 3,600
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Latimer Burris received the following endorsements.

2021

See also: Municipal elections in Dane County, Wisconsin (2021)

General election

Special general election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12

Incumbent Larry Palm defeated Amani Latimer Burris in the special general election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12 on April 6, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Larry Palm
Larry Palm (Nonpartisan)
 
53.6
 
1,481
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
45.9
 
1,269
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
13

Total votes: 2,763
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Special nonpartisan primary for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12

Incumbent Larry Palm and Amani Latimer Burris defeated Goodwill Obieze in the special primary for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 12 on February 16, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Larry Palm
Larry Palm (Nonpartisan)
 
54.4
 
770
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
31.1
 
441
Image of Goodwill Obieze
Goodwill Obieze (Nonpartisan)
 
13.6
 
192
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.9
 
13

Total votes: 1,416
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Latimer Burris' endorsements in the 2021 election, please click here.

2020

See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Wisconsin State Senate District 26

Kelda Roys defeated Kelly Tenpas in the general election for Wisconsin State Senate District 26 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kelda Roys
Kelda Roys (D)
 
98.2
 
102,569
Kelly Tenpas (D) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
0
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.8
 
1,919

Total votes: 104,488
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 26

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin State Senate District 26 on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kelda Roys
Kelda Roys
 
40.2
 
19,801
Image of Nada Elmikashfi
Nada Elmikashfi Candidate Connection
 
26.8
 
13,220
Image of Brian Benford
Brian Benford Candidate Connection
 
9.5
 
4,699
Image of Amani Latimer Burris
Amani Latimer Burris Candidate Connection
 
8.9
 
4,370
Image of Aisha Moe
Aisha Moe Candidate Connection
 
7.4
 
3,632
Image of John Imes
John Imes Candidate Connection
 
6.2
 
3,074
Image of William Davis III
William Davis III Candidate Connection
 
0.8
 
408
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
44

Total votes: 49,248
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Campaign finance


Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Amani Latimer Burris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Latimer Burris' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

As the current Alder of Madison’s District 12, I'm proud to come from a family of advisors, advocates and changemakers who care deeply about community and have always worked to have an impact for good.

I started out my career as an investigative journalist. Most recently, I worked as an Advisor and Assistant to Dr. Opal Lee, a national dignitary, who recently received the Presidential Medal of Honor and a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. "Ms. Opal," as she is often referred to as is known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth and is also my cousin.

Prior to working with Lee, I worked in the Wisconsin State Senate for Senator Taylor. In my career, I have worked at the intersections of education, equity, law, policy and business. Specifically, I have worked in policy development, on issues advocacy, coalition building, resident services, systems management, business development and communications for several different factions on a local, state and national level.

Personally, I'm heartened to be descendant of the people who built and rebuilt Greenwood (Tulsa, Oklahoma), and who survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which grounds me and serves as a reminder to always people over politics; truth over taglines.

As your Alder and your neighbor, I understand the challenges and dreams of our residents and am deeply committed to building a city that listens, includes, and is transparent about what's what.
  • Transparency – Transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential. I don't believe in hiding the ball or holding things close to my chest for political gain. My preference is to tell the truth about what is what. You have a right to know what’s happening in your city. I believe in open communication, accessible information, and honest conversations, whether it’s city budgets, development deals, or community safety plans—all of us deserve this, even if we disagree. As such, in my freshman year, I have hosted/participated and supported over 47 engagement sessions, 23 that were specific to District 12. This is in addition to publishing regular updates attending neighborhood meetings, events and working on issues in District 12.
  • Integrity -Leadership begins with trust. I don't like gameplaying as I know there are real lives and real people are affected by our choices and the issues. Although I have my own personal opinions, as your Alder I know my job to listen, learn, and make a decision that reflect the well-being of the entire community now and into the future. I certainly don't think my job is to be a rubber stamp, always vote in a bloc, be an agent for one, or put my finger on the scale by obfuscating the facts or substituting in my personal opinion for fact. My job is to learn the facts, measure and decide with honesty, empathy, and on purpose. I'm proud of the fact that I 've worked really hard to be independent.
  • Accountability: Public service means showing up, being transparent, staying connected and being truthful (even when you made a mistake, are wrong, dropped the ball or were misled or misinformed. I work for you. That means I return calls, respond to inquiries, address concerns, and work side-by-side in collaboration. As Alders, we're imperfect human beings so of course there is always room for improvement as we grow and learn but today I 'm actually where I wish I was day one. Every new job has a high learning curve, and as Alder, I realize, if you are doing the work, taking feedback, being curious, it will take you a couple of years in service to become "Shovel Ready" and deal with the 4th wall which is "governmental politics"
As a former teacher and a mother, I’m deeply invested in opportunity and community well-being. People matter. I’m a lifelong entrepreneur and have a depth of experience in real estate development, management and law. These experiences shaped my passion for policies that support small business development, affordable housing, and neighborhood sustainability. I believe every community deserves to be safe, vibrant, and full of possibility. That means investing in both people and places—so that families, students, and entrepreneurs all have a chance to thrive.
I look up to my cousin Dr. Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” I really do.

I had the privilege of traveling with her, living at her house, being with her 24/7 (on /off for a couple of years). On this journey I learned so much especially as she has had nearly 100 years of experience living this life so she understands what really matters, what life is really about, how things work , what has happened in this country historically, the list goes on.

During this season, we met so many incredible people doing incredible things from everyday folks taking care of their communities to folks in the highest offices, at the very top of their game, world famous. It was surreal but more importantly humbling in the space and context of humanity.

Within this place it was incredible to see her resilience, watch her tenacity, see her grace, feel her empathy. Seeing her love on people just as they are and noticing her ease with folks of all walks of life was not only amazing but a blessing.

I not only got to watch history as it was made but more importantly quietly watch what leadership looks like: her unwavering commitment to doing what is right, being kind, making space when there is no room; her commitment to working to make the world a better place, day after day-as a committee of one. Being the same in every room. Living with integrity and limiting one's ego. Forgiveness. Providence.

Time with my cousin Opal is always full of hard work but the work full of adventure, lessons and responsibility that I will process for the rest of my life.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. It tells the story of the Great Migration through

the lens of ordinary people seeking justice, dignity, and opportunity. It reflects my belief in

community power and the long arc of systemic change.
Integrity is number one—an elected official is nothing without it. The leaders we remember most are those who didn’t just accomplish things, but did so while treating people with dignity and respect. Integrity isn’t simply doing what you say you’re going to do—because sometimes life or policy gets in the way. But real integrity means never compromising the core values that guide you.

We see a lack of integrity when words and actions don’t align—when people are undermined, dismissed, or used as stepping stones. When leadership becomes about power over people rather than service to them. Integrity refuses to treat others as obstacles or objects.

But integrity is also about humility. None of us get it right all the time. What matters is the willingness to recognize when we’ve fallen short and to take honest steps to make things right. That self-awareness, that ability to course-correct—that’s integrity too.
I’m a creative problem-solver, a strategic thinker, analytical and an advocate. I also care deeply about people.
To stay informed about district issues, advocate for constituents, troubleshoot local concerns, and facilitate;

serve as a bridge between residents and city government. Ultimately, it’s about representing the
voices of the people and being available, accessible, and accountable. To be present. To be
informed. To be persistent. To amplify community voices. To make decisions that reflect the values, needs, and

aspirations of the district. And to ensure every neighbor knows that their voice matters.
That I helped build stronger bridges between government and community. That I showed up,

stood up, and lifted voices that weren’t always heard or ignored. That I made things a little more fair, a little

more kind, and a lot more inclusive and diverse.
My first “job” lasted one day—but it took serious planning. In sixth grade, I organized a class trip to a local amusement park. I created permission slips, collected money from classmates, and even arranged for my friend's older sister to chaperone. It was my first real experience with coordinating people, managing logistics, and making something big happen. When my parents found out afterward, I definitely got in trouble—but I also realized I had a natural ability to mobilize and lead. That day planted the seed for the kind of work I still do today—just with fewer roller coasters.
I recently read "When No One Is Watching" by Alyssa Cole, and while it’s a thriller on the surface,

the deeper story really stuck with me.

It explores gentrification and displacement in a Brooklyn neighborhood. You feel the tension between what’s seen and what’s hidden. As someone deeply invested in preserving community voice and advocating for equitable development, the book

resonated with my work as an Alder. It reminded me how critical it is to stay vigilant, protect cultural legacy, which gives any given city its flavor, and ensure that change doesn’t erase the people who built the neighborhood in the first place.
“Crown” (Can’t Please Everybody) by Kendrick Lamar.

It’s a quiet track, but it lingers in my head like a broken record. The line “I can’t please everybody” resonates with me deeply. In
public service, you quickly learn that not every handshake is sincere, and not every compliment is free from expectation. There’s often an undercurrent, an invisible exchange that will ask you to trade a piece of your integrity for approval. I’ve never been comfortable with that. I believe leadership should be rooted in something authentic.

“Crown” is a reminder that the weight we carry isn’t always loud or full of gold but we carry the quiet burden of staying honest in a space that rewards and often demands compliance, allegiance sometimes at all costs. Yet I still show up. I serve. I stay true.
Balancing advocacy work and personal life hasn’t always been easy. When you care deeply, it

can be hard to step back. I’ve learned that rest is resistance—and taking care of myself helps me

serve better.
Yes. 20 Alders and the Administration make the decisions for all of us. It takes 11 votes to pass absolutely anything. 15 votes to pass all things financial.
It’s essential to be an active listener and a persuasive leader, someone who can not only hear the

needs of the community but overtime rally others to help address them. A successful Alder needs to
build trust, navigate city systems, and work across differences to get things done. That means
understanding policy, identifying opportunities, and convincing others to move in a shared
direction. It’s not just about talking—it’s about aligning people, building partnerships, and

delivering results with integrity.
We need transparency, integrity, and accountability in government—period. The truth is, folks are tired of politicians, and many people simply don’t trust us anymore. We have to change that. We’re in this together, and too many people are working hard, living paycheck to paycheck, and feeling uncertain about their future on multiple fronts.

After engaging with thousands of residents in my district—including through 23 in-person community meetings —it became clear that people want to understand how decisions are made. They want transparency around budget priorities, development deals, land use, city services, and how we’re planning for the future—not just reacting to it.

What they don’t want are surprises. They don’t want to be shut out of information, dismissed, or labeled obstructionist simply for asking questions, raising concerns, or seeking clarity.

That’s why I hold regular town halls, publish blog updates, attend neighborhood association meetings, and stay informed. I work to elevate voices that are often ignored. My goal is to make the inner workings of government more accessible, inclusive, and accountable. If I know something—and it’s been properly vetted—I will tell you. That’s my promise.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2023

Amani Latimer Burris did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

Candidate Connection

Amani Latimer Burris completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Latimer Burris' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am a Mama. I am an Advocate. I am a Uniter. I am running for you, to ensure that all people have a voice and have access to their local government.
I am looking to level the playing field for all. I am passionate about ensuring that people are safe and protected while able to thrive and grow. Environmentally, Educationally, Economically, Spiritually, and Healthily.
Accessibility, flexibility, and accountability. Openness to the community and the concerns of its citizens is crucial to understand what people want. Being receptive to alternative points of view and compromise for the betterment of all follows. Then making decisions and standing by them show leadership. These allow for voices to be heard and for problems to be solved.
I remember a cross being burned in the front yard at our home. I must have been around 4 or 5 years old. I was confused and wondered who had done it and what I had done to make them hate us so much. It seemed to be the size of railroad ties, big and dark. I saw fear in my parents' eyes as they tried to protect us and figure out what to do as chaos was erupting in and around our own house. I was afraid to go outside or go to the park by myself. I was so afraid that, after moving away, I never told any of my friends growing up. When I finally did say something, people who I knew on a deep level were very surprised to learn about it. I think that in a weird way I took responsibility for it myself and wanted to shield the world from such ugliness.
A County Supervisor has a unique and powerful voice in shaping and adjusting County policies. Criminal Justice Reform is an example of something that most people seek, but have little idea how to implement. As a Supervisor, one can direct how local rule-making and enforcement are done, and is able to set examples that other communities from the neighborhood level up to the national scale can follow. One voice can make a huge difference.
Experience is helpful, however in itself should not be a qualifier. Holding an office or working in politics only goes so far. Responding to constituents, solving problems and getting things done should be the true gauge. I have been in the fields, talking to community members of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures, and am always open to learning about their perspectives and searching for resolutions to their concerns.
Supervisors need to represent and advocate for the community despite differences and a variety of viewpoints. I have the skills and experience to address our issues. As a Uniter I am able to listen to all sides and work to find commonalities. As an Advocate I can represent diverse views and present them for discussion. As a Mama I will ensure that the underserved and underrepresented can be part of the conversations and the solutions. And I am always open to learning more, and am eager to do so.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
My name is Amani Latimer Burris. I'm honored and more than that, humbled, to be running for Wisconsin State Senate District 26 (the esteemed seat of Senator Fred Risser). My story which starts with my name, Amani. Amani means faith, certitude, promise, trust, and commitment.

I was born in Madison and raised in Madison and Green Bay. I started out my career as a journalist. I've been a teacher and I am a lifelong educator. I've owned several small businesses, and most recently I left a staffer position within the Wisconsin Democratic Party (DPW) to run for State Senate. At DPW, I was a field and community organizer in Waukesha and Milwaukee County supporting Tom Palzewicz (Candidate for U.S. Congress) and Representative Robyn Vining (Wisconsin Assembly) and helped put Jill Karofosky in the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

As a Wisconsin Senator, my priorities will be focused on economic protections and dignity. As an advocate for homeowners and renter protections and having worked with the NAACP on the national level, I understand what is at stake. That is why I am running. I'm running for you. As Senator, I want to improve the lives of citizens within District 26 and Wisconsin on the whole. I'm confident that we can do this when we work together #UnitedInOurDifferences. This means that you get to be you, I get to be me, and we get to come to a table that is filled with diversity and inclusion to create an equitable place where Wisconsin works for everyone.[3]

—Amani Latimer Burris

Note: Latimer Burris submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on July 26, 2020.

Note: Latimer Burris submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on July 15, 2020.

Note: Latimer Burris submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on July 10, 2020.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 15, 2020
  2. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 24, 2021
  3. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Madison Common Council District 12
2023-2025
Succeeded by
Julia Matthews