11:18 PM: Williams, Toles trounce Reynolds-linked challanges
Incumbent Dem Annette Polly Williams beat opponent Charisha Allen 88 percent to 12 percent in the 10th AD Dem primary, while 17th AD Rep. Barbara Toles bested Samantha Bady 89 percent to 11 percent. Both challengers received support from former Republican Sen. Tom Reynolds and his Clean Sweep Wisconsin PAC.
Williams said that she was looking forward to continuing to represent her constituents. She has represented the district for 28 years.
Williams feels that former Republican Sen. Tom Reynolds, who supported Allen's campaign and an organization called Change Milwaukee Now she was running under, underestimated the people of Milwaukee. "I guess the vote in Milwaukee showed him, that is not something, no outsider can come in and pick our leadership," Williams said.
Allen did not comment on the outcome in a call from WisPolitics.
Toles said her and Williams' victories, show the community is behind them.
"I think it sends a strong message, particularly to former Sen. Tom Reynolds, that the people in our district, that the people in our community, appreciate the work that we do," Toles said.
She said that Bady's loss had more to do with what she stood for, but that "being linked to Tom Reynolds did not help her." Toles has represented the district since 2004. Several attempts to reach Bady were unsuccessful.
--By Samantha Hernandez
Labels: 2008 fall primary