“The fact that I was willing to challenge the status quo is essentially a strong message,” Kovac said. “I want to encourage my voters and supporters to take risks and challenge authority.”

Patrick Flaherty and Nik Kovac are the two candidates left standing in the 3rd District race for Alderman after Feb.19 primary election votes were tallied early Wednesday night.

Flaherty led over the other eight hopefuls receiving 4167 votes or 32 percent of the total tallied, with Kovac coming in a relatively close second, receiving 2091 votes or 27 percent.

Sam McGovern-Rowen came in a distant third with 16 percent, followed by Sura Faraj, Dan Fouliard, Matt Nelson and David Schroeder.

The Sandburg Hall 39th Ward results differed slightly from that of the overall local tally, with Kovac coming in first with 282 votes over Flaherty with 205.

Flaherty attributed his success to what he called a grassroots, results oriented campaign, where going door to door and making phone calls was essential. He also emphasized his experience and ability to get things done.

“My track record and my success in passing legislation at the Common Council have been instrumental in getting people behind me,” Flaherty said.

Kovac recognized the help of volunteers and supporters being important to his success and said he was incredibly heartened by the campaign. He also pointed out that he won the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student vote, citing the Sandburg hall results.

“I’m very proud of that,” Kovac said. “I want to be a voice of the students.”

Flaherty and Kovac said they were confident going into Tuesday’s primary, but both pointed out that nothing is certain and that they don’t take anything for granted.

Flaherty said he hopes that if voters’ preferred candidates didn’t make the cut, that they take a look at him, while Kovac mentioned that both Faraj and Fouliard had already endorsed him.

On any differences between Kovac and himself, Flaherty cited a divergence in approach to certain issues like a potential smoking ban in Milwaukee or all of Wisconsin. While both candidates advocate some kind of smoking ban, be it state or city-wide, Flaherty said that the city should take leadership on the issue.

“It’s sort of a dodge to wait for the state to take action,” Flaherty said. “If the state won’t take action, the city should lead.”

The main way in which Kovac said he differed from Flaherty was over the issue of whether or not to take on an incumbent, emphasizing the fact that he was running for office before current alderman Michael D’Amato had announced his resignation.

“The fact that I was willing to challenge the status quo is essentially a strong message,” Kovac said. “I want to encourage my voters and supporters to take risks and challenge authority.”

Flaherty said he wanted students to know he’s a UWM alumnus and has volunteered in the community; organizing events like the Take Back the Night marches. He also stressed the importance of responsibility in working towards a more effervescent city and community.

“Everyone benefits from a vibrant community and a growing city, but we need to make sure the growth is transparent and that the growth fits the city,” Flaherty said.

Kovac said its important students know he grew up in the neighborhood and took philosophy and calculus at UWM while still enrolled as a high school student at Riverside. He said the university is a “cultural treasure” and wants students to know their voice will be heard.

Kovac also mentioned a desire to change how street sweeping and towing procedures are conducted around campus and said he plans to work with city officials about how they issue tickets.

“The city should be giving tickets in order to change behavior, not as a means to generate revenue,” Kovac said.

Voters will have the chance to ultimately decide who becomes Alderman on voting day, April 1.

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