UPDATE: Fred Kessler Crushes Mario Hall, Keeps Seat in 12th Assembly District

Democratic incumbent Fred Kessler of Wisconsin’s 12^th State Assembly District toppled opponent Mario Hall during Tuesday’s primary election, with Kessler snagging 70 percent of the votes, according to JS Online. 

Hall says he wishes Kessler the best in continuing to represent residents in the district, and he would still like to sit down and collaborate with Kessler in the future.

"I’m just planning to move on. My congratulations to Representative Kessler at this point and the work that he continues to do, and I just wish him the best," Hall said. "I wish I could at some point sit down and have a candid conversation with him, but at this point I’m just elated to have had this opportunity to represent the resents in the 12^th Assembly District."

Kessler declined to comment Tuesday night after his win was confirmed.

The two for the Democratic nomination in the district, which includes a small portion of Wauwatosa. There are no Republicans running, so Kessler likely will earn the seat officially on Nov. 6.

, who was a state representative from 1960-72, and was elected again in 2004, said his main emphasis in his campaign is on union and collective bargaining rights, for which he advocated while fighting against Act 10 last year.

Kessler also said his experience as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge gave him an advantage over Hall and that he brings a unique understanding of the judicial system to the assembly.

Kessler's confidence in the public school system was in stark contrast with his opponent. Hall has advocated school choice or voucher programs, which has led his critics to call him a conservative.

Kessler has also questioned Hall's Democratic credentials, claiming that Hall did not sign a petition to recall Gov. Scott Walker. Hall said he did sign the petition, however, his name could not be found in a search of the Verify the Recall database.

Editor's Note: This article was updated with comments from Mr. Hall at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15.