It’s Donovan Taking On Barrett & Larson Challenges Abele
Milwaukee – Alderman Bob Donovan will face off against Mayor Tom Barrett, in which some say could mimic Trump against Hillary Clinton.
Barrett won the primary handily, but it was not a blow out, which Barrett backers wanted in order to send a message.
The incumbent mayor ended the evening with 46 percent of the vote, but he needed to win by 50 percent or more to show the race was going to be elementary.
Because the mayor did not reach the magic number Donovan, who took 2nd place, now has a strong argument he can make to his donors about his ability to compete against the mayor.
Donovan goes into the general election with the endorsement of Alderman Joe Davis who came in third with 12,060 votes (18.51 percent). Still, Donovan has an image issue on the Northside and the image is not of a hero riding into the sunset.
Indeed, black community support for Barrett is strong; a firewall Donovan does not appear to be able to overcome, even with Davis’ support.
Barrett’s huge cash advantage is about to come in handy.
Milwaukee County Executive Race
Chris Larson is now the frontrunner for county executive, after beating County Executive Chris Abele.
But let’s not kid ourselves, it’s not as if many didn’t think that Abele would vulnerable. Still, losing in the primary is just not a good showing for the county executive. Larson’s narrow victory, by over 700 votes puts juice in his campaign after some rather high profile departures of key campaign staff.
The primary victory is going to really unload some cash Larson’s way as well. He’s going to need it because Abele outspent Larson 20-to-1.
