Yesterday I received a message from Hales Corners Village Trustee Don Schwartz regarding his thoughts on the primary results. As you know, Schwartz did not make it past the primary for 9th District County Supervisor, which now is a race between Franklin CCP Steve Taylor and Oak Creek Alderman Ken Gehl. I asked permission and received it to post the message on here, given that Schwartz did receive many votes and support, despite the loss.
To all Milwaukee County residents in the 9th District who voted for me in the primary last week: THANK YOU for your confidence and support! Although I was not officially in the race until January 6, 2012 our campaign did very well. In Hales Corners I had both Stand with Walker and Recall Walker supporters, people who believe in my ability to get things done for the betterment of our community. I was able to get 65% of the vote in the Village, finishing first by a better than 2-1 margin over my two opponents. In Franklin, voter turnout was a little under 12% and I finished second, but in Oak Creek, with over 18% of voters showing up at the polls, I finished a distant third. The lesson: I will work harder in Oak Creek next time.
However, I am optimistic that the final two candidates will provide the voters in the 9th district with constructive debate and responsible ideas, rather than rhetoric, about how they will address the needs of all communities in the 9th District and that voters will choose the best candidate for their next County Supervisor.
Sincerely,
Donald G. Schwartz
Village Trustee, Hales Corners
From this message, I gathered two things out of this I feel are important:
- There is NO endorsement of either of the remaining candidates. While I felt Schwartz would lean more towards CCP Taylor in a post-primary reflection, there was no indication of thoughts or support either way. I consider this significant.
- Schwartz is telling supporters that he is not fading into the sunset. He wants to be part of a bigger picture in this area of Milwaukee County for years to come. His "I will work harder in Oak Creek next time" line means one thing - he is definitely in the "strongly considering" section of throwing his hat in the ring again for this County Board seat.
