Chris Abele, who could flood Milwaukee mayoral race with cash, is backing Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who has poured millions of dollars into influencing numerous local races, is backing Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier "Chevy" Johnson in the spring mayoral election.
Abele told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he hasn't decided how much he'll spend in support of Johnson's candidacy, though he and his wife, Jennifer Abele, have each contributed the maximum amount they can — $6,000 — to Johnson's campaign.
"I haven’t made any sort of final decision about if, how and how much I might put in to supporting Chevy’s race, beyond obviously I’ve already maxed to him," Chris Abele said. "But I’ll certainly do something."
He said he had not decided what mechanism he would use, be it his independent campaign spending organization Leadership MKE, or something else.
Johnson announced Wednesday he had $350,000 cash on hand ahead of the spring mayoral election, putting him in a strong financial position. Campaign finance reports are due Jan. 18.
Jennifer Abele, who was a top official in the administration of former Mayor Tom Barrett, has taken on a 90-day volunteer position in Johnson's office. She is on leave from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she is senior executive director of strategic partnerships.
Johnson said he had gotten to know Jennifer Abele, then Jennifer Gonda, when she worked for city government and had not wanted to see her leave the city. He also noted her experience in a number of city departments, having worked as the city's chief lobbyist, superintendent of Milwaukee Water Works and in the city Budget Office.
"For her to be willing to step away from her position at UWM to come and to help us to get our administration up and going here, I think, is great," he said. "I think she brings a lot of value, and I'm proud that she's set to join the team, even in the interim."
He said he did not see any issue with the Abeles' contributions to his campaign and her work in his office.
"She is not permanently on staff," he said. "She is not even being paid. She is volunteering her time."
He said they had not discussed the possibility of her remaining on staff permanently, were he to win the April mayoral race.
Jennifer Abele, reached by text message, did not respond to a question about whether she would like to remain in the administration if Johnson is elected.
"I am happy to be able to serve in Mayor Johnson's administration and was flattered to be asked," she wrote. "I am also grateful to UWM for granting me this opportunity for public service. As for my qualifications, my career and my resume speak for themselves."
Mayor's Office spokesman Jeff Fleming said she is volunteering as senior adviser to the mayor directing strategic partnerships. She is responsible for making sure Johnson's office has relationships with entities throughout the city, including community organizations, businesses and associations.
He said Jennifer Abele was unique for the variety of experiences she has in city government and the high-level positions she has held.
He believed she would be volunteering full time or close to it.
Fleming said he was not aware of anyone else in Johnson's office who was volunteering their time while on leave from permanent positions elsewhere.
Mixed record of past contributions
Abele has been mostly quiet politically since retiring as county executive in April 2020. Leadership MKE spent no money last year and it last reported having a cash balance of $15.12 in January 2021.
Still, Abele's financial backing doesn't necessarily result in a win for his chosen candidates.
In 2020, Abele backed the campaigns of David Crowley for Milwaukee County executive, state Rep. Jason Fields for Milwaukee comptroller and Tearman Spencer for city attorney.
Crowley and Spencer won their races. Fields did not.
In Crowley's race to succeed Abele as county executive, via Leadership MKE Abele spent more than $767,000 on mailers, digital ads and phone calls in support of Crowley.
Spencer has also announced plans to run for mayor.
Other candidates in the race include Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, former Ald. Bob Donovan, Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas and state Sen. Lena Taylor. Other names in the race are Nick McVey, Sheila Conley-Patterson, Michael Sampson, Joel Paplham, Wenona Lee Gardner and Ieshuh Griffin.
Abele financially backed Lucas' opponent in his run for sheriff in 2018.
Candidates have until Tuesday to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot.
The mayoral primary will take place Feb. 15 with the spring election April 5.
The race is rare for Milwaukee because it takes place without an incumbent.
Barrett resigned last month to become ambassador to Luxembourg. Whoever is elected in April will fill the remaining two years of his term.
Daniel Bice of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Contact Alison Dirr at 414-224-2383 or adirr@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisonDirr.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Chris Abele backing Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson in mayoral race
