It was a very close race. Nik gave a great speech about humbleness in serving, and reaching out to Patrick and folks in his campaign.
Nik Kovac . . . . . . . . . . 4,292 50%
Patrick Flaherty . . . . . . . 4,221 49%
The people’s power called this one in. And every vote counted.
Thank you, everyone. Each one individually, and all of us together.
Sura
2 Apr 2008 | 2:12 am | Representation, 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
I’m endorsing Nik Kovac for Milwaukee 3rd District Alderman, along with Jennifer Morales and many of my other supporters. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- Nik Kovac is a leader, challenging Mike D’Amato when he was expected to run for re-election. Conversely, Patrick Flaherty told me he last year that he would only run if D’Amato stepped down.
- Nik is progressive. He’s thoughtful on big issues and I’m excited about his ability to bring a new way of thinking to politics in Milwaukee. We’re not going to solve our problems with the same kind of thinking that got us into trouble. Nik will bring us new solutions.
- Nik doesn’t waste money on massive mailings, and he promises the same wise use of our tax dollars.
- Nik has run a clean, positive campaign.
- Nik’s campaign is fueled by the people, not big money or political insiders
- Nik Kovac is smart, honest and trustworthy.
- Nik is educated and involved on local issues. He’s the only candidate that I’ve seen at neighborhood meetings, city planning meetings, development hearings, student groups, environmental meetings. He’s involved in Urban Agriculture, Food Policy, Milwaukee River Preservation, Historic Preservation, Riverwest Neighborhood Association, etc.
- Nik is Local. He was born and raised on the East Side, and he lives in Riverwest. Unlike his opponent, he’s involved in his neighborhood association, his block club, his church and volunteers teaching chess to high school students.
- Nik cares about all of Milwaukee. He attends Community Brainstormers meetings at St. Matthew’s Church on 9th and Chambers because he cares about all the problems in the city, including segregation, economic development and public education.
- Nik has committed to local campaign finance reform, which we desperately need to ensure that aldermanic races can’t be bought by the highest bidder. Votes should come because a candidate is participating in a broad range of community concerns, not just because they can afford to pour tens of thousands of dollars into a mail-blitz campaign.
- Nik is endorsed by the people: environmentalists, artists, teachers, business owners, bicyclists, LGBT community members, and those who believe that local power should remain in the hands of the people.
Please join me in supporting Nik Kovac for Milwaukee’s East Side, Riverwest and Brady St. Alderman, and vote on Tuesday, April 1. Find out where you vote here
30 Mar 2008 | 8:05 pm | 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
“I know and respect Nik Kovac. He is a good friend and a true progressive.” –Vel Phillips
That’s what Vel Phillips says about Nik, who calls her one of his civic heroes. She said, “A few weeks ago, Nik asked me if he could refer to me as one of his heroes in his campaign literature. I was honored by the request. I have seen the brochure in which Nik uses my name and picture. I approve.”
I am writing this because Dominique Paul Noth, the editor of the Labor Press, got a few things wrong about Nik in a recent article. No surprise, since the Labor Council is endorsing Patrick.
But let’s get a few things straight.
Noth implies that Nik didn’t get Vel’s permission to use her name. This is untrue. As you can see from the quotes above and her hand-signed letter on Nik’s website it’s clear that Vel Phillips gave her permission, and that she is one of Nik’s supporters.
Continue reading ‘Vel Phillips on Nik Kovac - setting the record straight’
28 Mar 2008 | 11:06 am | 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
On Feb 1, we should have access to all candidates’ Campaign Finance Reports. We’ll have another opportunity on Feb. 12 to see how much money was raised, and where it was spent.
Because I began my campaign for office before Mike D’Amato stepped down, I’ve thought a lot about campaign money. At the last report, he had close to $150K in his campaign chest.
At that time, I had people tell me either that I couldn’t win against an incumbent (based on my time at the doors, I think that was far from true, and people’s votes count more than money) or that I needed to raise $75,000 to beat him (money shows how strong you are. Money allows you to do massive mailings).
I don’t believe that.
I’ve raised my fair share of money, from $1 through the maximum individual donation of $417. But I’m also concerned about our local political climate. Something’s very wrong when we allow money to dictate representation.
I think we need clean and fair elections and meaningful campaign finance reform. I think a limit on how much can be raised, not from any given individual, but in total donations, would force candidates to actually go out and meet people, not just court the people with money. Or better yet, a limit on how much can be spent, so that independently wealthy candidates can’t buy their way in.
After all, this is about public service, right?
I hope all the other candidates agree with me on this.
But until there are clean elections, take heed and follow the money.
30 Jan 2008 | 10:54 am | Representation, 3rd District | No comments yet - Add your comments
