Counting the votes and checking the names

First, congratulations to Rose Fernandez and her campaign team. Despite being outspent by a wide margin, she advances to the general election for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. With 94% of the vote reporting:

Tony Evers 83,768 35%
Rose Fernandez 73,912 31%
Van Mobley 31,982 14%
Todd Price 26,637 11%
Lowell Holtz 20,593 9%

Congratulations, too, to Michael Mathias in the MPS district 4 school board race. Mike also advances to the general election while incumbent Charlene Hardin failed in her write-in campaign.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel finds a blogger they can like

Milwaukee Public Schools school board candidate Michael Mathias was endorsed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mathias is running in the 4th district currently represented (in a way) by Charlene Hardin. Hardin is attempting to get herself back on the ballot in the general election by running as a write-in after she failed to turn in enough nomination signatures.

I knew I should have returned that call when the Journal Sentinel was looking for a character reference.

Teachers union candidate no longer in Milwaukee School Board race

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting union-endorsed Gloria Gaston is taking herself out of the running for school board in the 4th district. However, she will still appear on the ballot along with Michael Mathias and Annie Woodward in next Tuesday's primary. Running as a write-in is the incumbent, the controversial Charlene Hardin. The Journal Sentinel also reports two other candidates are running as write-ins.

In an e-mail to supporters, Michael Mathias reports Hardin is active in her campaign:

Although Mrs. Hardin’s name will not be on the ballot, I can assure you that she is making her presence in this race felt. She and I were both at a private forum for candidates Saturday morning, and she has been participating in the endorsement process.

Mathias is also looking for volunteers this Saturday, asking, "Is there a better to celebrate your love for MPS than helping the campaign on Valentine’s Day?"

Hardin off the ballot in Milwaukee school board race

It's likely talk radio and bloggers won't have Charlene Hardin to kick around anymore. Barring some sort of challenge or a long-shot write-in campaign, Hardin is out of the race for re-election. She fell nine signatures short on her nomination papers.

I have not spoken with Mike Mathias yet, but he's gotta be thinking, "Well, there goes the talk radio vote." (Just kidding.)

Hardin's failure means the race will be between liberal blogger (and friend of this blog) Mike Mathias, substitute teacher Gloria Gaston, and retired county employee Annie Woodward.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hardin's ballot problems stem from gathering some of her signatures outside her district. Which begs the question, why would anyone outside her district want her to be elected?