Milwaukee County executive candidate Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) garnered 44.9 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s primary election, putting him neck-and-neck with current County Executive Chris Abele, who secured 44.2 percent of the vote.
The other candidates in the county executive race were Steve Hogan, who got 6.1 percent of the vote, and Joseph Klein, with 4.4 percent. Only Larson and Abele will advance to the general election.
Larson released a statement late Tuesday that said, in part: “Despite being outspent nearly 20 to 1 by our opponent, tonight we showed that the race for Milwaukee County Executive is tied as we head into the April general election. The results of today’s primary shows that voters have embraced our positive message, which focuses on the issues that matter: protecting our parks and public treasures, expanding our transit system, and restoring good government checks and balances to Milwaukee County.”
Meanwhile, Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg received 36.6 percent and Justice Rebecca Bradley garnered 38.2 percent of the vote in the Wisconsin Supreme Court justice race. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Donald earned 25 percent. Bradley was appointed by Gov. Scott Walker in October to fill the spot vacated when Justice N. Patrick Crooks died Sept. 21.
Bradley said in a statement last night: “As we head into the general election, I am excited to continue highlighting my judicial philosophy and breadth of experience, from private practice to the circuit court, the appellate court, and the Supreme Court, to the people of Wisconsin. I look forward to earning their vote on April 5th.”
In the Milwaukee mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett earned 46.1 percent of the vote, while eighth district Alderman Bob Donovan garnered 32.5 percent and second district Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. got 18.5 percent. James Methu nabbed 2.7 percent.
There were 112,235 ballots cast in the primary. Voter turnout was at 20.9 percent. The general election and a presidential preference vote will be held on Tuesday, April 5.
