First ads released in race for mayor of Milwaukee, and they're nasty: "Negative ads work"

MILWAUKEE -- The first ads in the race for mayor of Milwaukee have hit the airwaves, and they are nasty. This race has gotten heated pretty quickly. Two ads were released by Milwaukeeans for Self-Governance, a third party that is backing Alderman Bob Donovan -- who will face incumbent Mayor Tom Barrett on April 5th. "Friends of Tom Barrett" also released an ad.

These ads show that in the race for mayor of Milwaukee, the gloves have come off. AD TRANSCRIPT

Three new ads have hit the air since last week. AD TRANSCRIPT

AD TRANSCRIPT

"This is a real election. This is not anybody coasting to victory," Mordecai Lee, UW-Milwaukee professor said.

Lee said he's not surprised by the negative tone of the ads. "In Wisconsin politics, you just never know what is going to work. Negative ads work. People remember the negative," Lee said. While Lee said it is unknown whose ads will be more effective, there is one thing for certain -- there's likely to be more. "I suspect this is going to be the beginning of what is going to be a really heavy three or four weeks," Lee said. The ads are playing on several radio stations in the Milwaukee area.