Only a few dozen votes separated incumbent Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and state Senator Chris Larson, in Tuesday's spring Primary. The two far outpaced the other two candidates in the race.
Abele has spent tens of thousands of dollars of his own money in recent months highlighting his tenure as county executive. Those ads have talked about his fiscal responsibility and progress at holding taxes steady while providing a full range of county services.
Larson has continually pointed out that he has been far outspent, yet would do a better job of protecting Milwaukee's assets, while restoring government balance between the executive and legislative branches.
After Tuesday night's close results came in, Abele told people gathered at a union hall in West Allis that he was not surprised.
"We always knew it was going to be a tight race, and I've said for five years, hold me accountable for what we say and what we get done," Abele said.
Larson was not on hand for his campaign party on Milwaukee's north side; he was in session with the state Senate. So his wife Jessica celebrated with supporters.
"We're being outspent 20 to 1 and for us to come this close really sends a message about what people want in their county executive," Jessica Larson said.
