Sylvia Ortiz-Velez

Sylvia Ortiz-Velez is an American real estate broker and Democratic politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 8th Assembly district since 2021. As of September 2025, she has quit the Assembly Democratic caucus after a heated disagreement in which Ortiz-Velez allegedly threatened to shoot three of her colleagues. She previously served on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors from 2018 until 2022.

Early life and education Sylvia Ortiz-Velez was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She worked as a real estate broker for several years in Milwaukee before being elected to the County Board. West prevailed in the spring election with 55.71%. Ortiz-Velez challenged West again in 2018, however, and this time defeated her, taking 57% of the vote. Ortiz-Velez was one of several candidates to benefit from the support of then-County Executive Chris Abele in his attempts to reshape the County Board in 2018. She was re-elected without opposition in April 2020.

During her time on the County Board, she was a member of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, the Judiciary, Safety and General Services Committee, and the Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee. She was also a member of the Mitchell Park Domes Task Force, tasked with developing a long-term plan for the 50-year-old nature conservatory—Ortiz-Velez committed to preserving the domes for future generations in her campaign platform. In the primary, she faced JoAnna Bautch, the sister of outgoing Assemblymember JoCasta Zamarripa, and the Wisconsin Director of Citizen Action. In the primary, Ortiz-Velez supported expanding BadgerCare (Wisconsin's Medicaid program) and legalization of medical marijuana. Ortiz-Velez earned 78% of the vote in the general election, defeating Republican Angel Sanchez.

Caucus split In September 2025, Ortiz-Velez quit the Assembly Democratic caucus after months of conflict with other members, and was then briefly banned from the Wisconsin State Capitol after she allegedly threatened to shoot three Democratic colleagues. Ortiz-Velez had previously split from the Democratic caucus on several high profile votes since her arrival in the Assembly in 2021; one of her first major floor speeches was to oppose Democratic redistricting efforts. Recently, Ortiz-Velez has been in a heated feud with fellow Milwaukee representative Priscilla Prado over the Legislature's new Hispanic Legislative Caucus—which Ortiz-Velez declined to join. Ortiz-Velez also plans to testify on an upcoming bill about local executive emergency powers to accuse Milwaukee County executive David Crowley of exceeding his authority in requesting county officials to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Ortiz-Velez was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in February 2026 over the August incident, and pled no contest to the charge.

2026 election Ortiz-Velez ran for re-election in 2026, but lost renomination by a wide margin to progressive challenger Ismael Luna.

Personal life and family Ortiz-Velez is the daughter of a former evangelical minister; she has seven siblings.

Electoral history

Milwaukee County Board (2012)

Wisconsin Assembly (2020–2026)