{{Short description|American lawyer, politician and judge (1940–2024)}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = | honorific_prefix = The Honorable | name = Fred Kessler | caption = | term_start = January 3, 2005 | term_end = January 1, 2019 | predecessor = Shirley Krug | successor = LaKeshia Myers | term_start1 = January 4, 1965 | term_end1 = July 5, 1972 | predecessor1 = Patrick H. Kelly | successor1 = ''District abolished'' | predecessor2 = Patrick H. Kelly | successor2 = Patrick H. Kelly | office3 = {{nowrap|Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge}} {{nowrap|for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 11}} | term_start3 = August 1, 1986 | term_end3 = February 9, 1988 | predecessor3 = Christ T. Seraphim | successor3 = Dominic S. Amato | term_start4 = August 1, 1978 | term_end4 = June 2, 1981 | predecessor4 = ''Transitioned from County Court'' | successor4 = Janine P. Geske | term_start5 = July 5, 1972 | term_end5 = July 31, 1978 | predecessor5 = Christ T. Seraphim | successor5 = ''Transitioned to Circuit Court'' | party = Democratic | birth_date = {{birth date|1940|1|11}} | birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|11|12|1940|1|11}} | death_place = | alma_mater = University of Wisconsin–Madison | profession = Attorney | spouse = Joan F. Kessler | children = 2 <!-- DEPRECATED |religion = Lutheran --> | website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20130126154838/http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asm12/news/ Official Website] | office = Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly | constituency = 12th district | constituency1 = Milwaukee 10th district | constituency2 = Milwaukee 10th district | term_start2 = January 2, 1961 | term_end2 = January 7, 1963 | office4 = {{nowrap|Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge}} {{nowrap|for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 23}} | office5 = {{nowrap|County Judge}} of Milwaukee County Branch 4 | appointer5 = Patrick Lucey }}
'''Frederick P. Kessler''' (January 11, 1940 – November 12, 2024) was an American lawyer, arbitrator, judge, and Democratic Party politician. He served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 24 years between 1961 and 2019, and served 11 years as a state judge in the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS9323 Kessler, Frederick P. 1940] Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved August 21, 2019.</ref>
Fred Kessler was married to retired Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Joan F. Kessler.
==Early life== Kessler was born January 11, 1940, in Milwaukee and attended Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Madison until he became a Page of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1955 and attending the House Page School. He ultimately graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School and worked briefly as a machine operator (becoming a member of the United Steel Workers) and salesman, before his 1960 election to the Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uwm.edu/sce/instructors/fred-kessler/|title=Fred Kessler|access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref> He was involved in the movement to draft John F. Kennedy to run for President in 1960, serving as Chairman of the Wisconsin Youth for Kennedy Club in 1959. He was the youngest Chairman of the Wauwatosa City Democratic Committee at age 19.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wisconsin: Students for Kennedy {{!}} JFK Library |url=https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKCAMP1960/0974/JFKCAMP1960-0974-009 |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=www.jfklibrary.org}}</ref>
==First terms in the Assembly== In 1960, Kessler ran for Wisconsin State Assembly in Milwaukee County's 10th Assembly district (at the time the district comprised just the 10th ward of the city of Milwaukee). Kessler was one of five Democrats challenging incumbent Patrick H. Kelly in the Democratic primary. Kessler ultimately prevailed with 38% of the vote and went on to defeat Republican Herbert W. Smith in the general election.<ref name="1962elex"/> On the opening day of the 1961 legislative session, January 11, 1961, Kessler's 21st birthday, he became the youngest person, up to that time, ever to serve in the Wisconsin Legislature. He was assigned to the standing committee on education.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1962 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1962 |year= 1962 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |page= 51 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> In 1962, rather than running for re-election, he sought the Democratic nomination for the Wisconsin's 6th State Senate district, but came in 2nd to Martin J. Schreiber in a four-way primary. Patrick Kelly reclaimed his old Assembly seat.<ref name="1964elex"/>
While serving in the Assembly, Kessler earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1962, and after his term expired, he worked with Governor John Reynolds' staff on reapportionment litigation in 1964.
In 1964, he again unseated Patrick Kelly, taking an absolute majority in a five-way Democratic primary (Kelly himself came in third), and won the general election 7,004 to 2,525. He was assigned to the Assembly committees on elections and the judiciary, and a joint committee on revisions, repeals and uniform laws.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1966 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1966 |year= 1966 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Theobald |editor-first= H. Rupert |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1966/reference/wi.wibluebk1966.i0007.pdf |chapter= Biographies |page= 53 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> Kessler received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1966, and was re-elected easily in 1966,<ref name="bb1968elex"/> 1968<ref name="bb1970elex"/> and 1970.<ref name="bb1971elex"/>
==Redistricting== {{see also|Redistricting in Wisconsin}} Kessler played a significant role in Wisconsin's redistricting fights of the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1960s, he was part of Governor Reynolds' team arguing before the Wisconsin Supreme Court over the failure of the state Legislature to pass a new redistricting plan after the 1960 census. After the Legislature failed to meet several deadlines, the Court ultimately drew its own map.<ref>{{cite court |url= https://cite.case.law/wis-2d/22/544/ |litigants= State ex rel. Reynolds v. Zimmerman |court= Wisconsin Supreme Court |date= February 28, 1964 |vol= 22 |reporter= Wis. 2d |opinion= 544 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |via= Case Law Project }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Governor Reynolds embraced the court-ordered map and called it, "the culmination of my four-year fight for equal voting rights for the people of the state of Wisconsin."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70387597/reaction-to-court-remap/ |title= High Court Remap Gives 25 Seats to Milwaukee County |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= May 15, 1964 |first= William |last= Brissee |page= 2 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>
In 1971, Kessler was chairman of the Assembly elections committee and the principal negotiator for Democrats crafting a new reapportionment bill. The 1970s redistricting was further complicated by the new federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and accompanying U.S. Supreme Court opinions which set a legal mandate for states to seek equal representation in legislative districts. Requirements in the Wisconsin Constitution created unique technical challenges to achieving equal representation, and the state government was under divided partisan control. Kessler set out a plan to achieve the various goals by disregarding strict adherence to county boundaries, eliminating 1 Assembly seat, and establishing a uniform 3-to-1 ratio of Assembly to Senate seats.<ref name="kessler">{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71233622/redistricting-new-plan/ |title= Thompson, Kessler Propose New Reapportionment Plan |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= September 23, 1971 |page= 6 |accessdate= February 16, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> Republicans and Democrats soon agreed with his recommendations, but disagreed over the final map. Finally, in an April 1972 special session of the Legislature, a compromise was reached.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67520683/redistricting-passes/ |title= Redistricting Passes, but Usury Bill Waits |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 22, 1972 |page= 1 |first= James D. |last= Selk |accessdate= January 12, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==Judiciary== After the end of the Legislative session in 1972, Lucey appointed Kessler to a vacant county judgeship. He was subsequently elected to a full term in April 1973.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1973 |title= The State of Wisconsin 1973 Blue Book |year= 1973 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1973/reference/wi.wibluebk1973.i0017.pdf |chapter= Addenda |page= 871 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref>
Kessler was appointed to the Wisconsin Legislative Council Committee on Court Reorganization in 1978. He was a leader in the fight for a single level trial court and the appointment by the Supreme Court of the district chief judges (both which were approved by an 8 to 7 vote on the committee, and ultimately signed into law). He also initiated a successful effort in 1979, to outlaw commercial surety bail bonding, resulting in Wisconsin becoming the fourth state to prohibit the practice. Due to the judicial reform law, his position of county judge was abolished and he was transitioned into a circuit judge for Milwaukee County, effective August 1, 1978. He was elected to another term April 3, 1979.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1979 |title= The state of Wisconsin 1979-1980 Blue Book |year= 1979 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1979/reference/wi.wibluebk1979.i0016.pdf |chapter= Elections |page= 885 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref>
Kessler resigned his judgeship on June 2, 1981, to attempt a run for the vacant seat in Wisconsin's 5th congressional district in 1982.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87171218/kessler-resigns-to-run/ |title= Judge resigns to seek congressional post |newspaper= Kenosha News |date= June 2, 1981 |page= 31 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Kessler came in 2nd in the crowded ten-person Democratic primary, which included several past and current legislators, county supervisors, and the wife of Milwaukee mayor Henry Maier.<ref name="bb1983elex"/>
In April 1986, Kessler ran for and defeated controversial Wisconsin circuit judge Christ T. Seraphim by a final margin (after recounts) of 485 votes (55,690 to Seraphim's 55,205).<ref>Kloss, Gerald. "State, city scene was busy" ''Milwaukee Journal'' December 28, 1986; p. 3J, col. 3.</ref> He resigned the judgeship in early 1988 when he planned to make another run for United States House of Representatives, but ultimately dropped out before the primary.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87170872/kessler-resigns-to-run/ |title= Milwaukee judge to run for Congress |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= February 9, 1988 |page= 24 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87170691/wi-5th-democratic-primary/ |title= Moody faces primary test |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= July 13, 1988 |page= 16 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==After the judiciary== After leaving the court, Kessler worked as an attorney, labor arbitrator, and redistricting consultant.
As a civic leader, Kessler, in 1979, along with Milwaukee School Board member Leon Todd successfully led an effort to create three language immersion elementary schools in Milwaukee, one each in German, French and Spanish, see Milwaukee German Immersion School, Milwaukee French Immersion School.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} On May 15, 2014, Kessler and Todd receive a lifetime achievement award from the German Immersion Foundation for their effort in 1979.
He made another run for Congress in 1992 when the 5th congressional district seat became vacant again, but came in 3rd in a six-person Democratic primary.<ref name="1993elex"/>
==Return to the Assembly== On April 6, 2004, his wife Joan F. Kessler, a long-time member of the board of governors of the State Bar of Wisconsin, unseated incumbent Court of Appeals Judge Charles B. Schudson. In November 2004, Fred Kessler returned to the Assembly, from the 12th District (northwestern Milwaukee, a part of Wauwatosa and one precinct in Waukesha County). He was assigned to the committees on campaigns and elections; criminal justice and homeland security; the judiciary; and state-federal relations.<ref>{{cite report|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2005_2006 |title= State of Wisconsin 2005-2006 Blue Book |year= 2005 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Barish |editor-first1= Lawrence S. |editor-last2= Lemanski |editor-first2= Lynn |isbn= 0-9752820-1-8 |chapter-url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2005_2006/200_biographies.pdf |chapter= Biographies |page= 27 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> He was re-elected without opposition in 2006 and 2008; and in 2010 won re-election over Republican Sam Hagedorn.<ref name="2010wec"/>
In 2012, after a drastic redistricting by the Republican-controlled legislature removed his home from the 12th and changed the racial complexion completely,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/frederick-p-kessler-for-state-assembly-12th-district/|title=Frederick P. Kessler for State Assembly—12th District|work=Shepherd Express|date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> Kessler faced a challenge in the Democratic primary from African-American newcomer Mario Hall, who was reported to be a school choice supporter with backing from the pro-voucher American Federation for Children and allied organizations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.milwaukeelabor.org/in_the_news/article.cfm?n_id=00283|author=Noth, Dominique Paul|title=How Fred Kessler Gets Under GOP Skin|work=Milwaukee Labor Press|date=August 1, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820090328/http://www.milwaukeelabor.org/in_the_news/article.cfm?n_id=00283|archive-date=August 20, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Kessler (who had to move into the redrawn district) won with 71% of the vote, and faced no challenger in the November general election. Kessler was re-elected without significant opposition in 2014 (one Democratic and one Republican challenger failed to make the ballot; the Republican received .3% of the vote in the general election as a write-in candidate). In 2016, he had no challengers in the primary or general election.<ref name="2016wec"/>
Kessler ran for re-election in 2018 but was defeated in the Democratic primary by schoolteacher LaKeshia Myers.<ref name="2018primary"/>
==Personal life and death== Kessler was a member of Goethe House (vice president, president); the Milwaukee Chapter of the ACLU (board member, president); World Affairs Council of Milwaukee (board member); Wisconsin Bar Association; Wisconsin State Historical Society (board member); Industrial Relations Research Association, DANK (German-American National Congress) – Milwaukee chapter (vice president); Milwaukee Donauschwaben; Amnesty International Group 107 (chairman); Milwaukee Turners; N.A.A.C.P.; and a member of the City of Milwaukee Harbor Commission.
Kessler was an active member of the [https://www.milwaukeeturners.org/ Milwaukee Turners], a prominent organization dedicated to social justice and community engagement. Born to immigrant parents from Germany who settled in the city between World War I and World War II, he followed his father, a leader in the German American community, by becoming involved at Turner Hall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frederick Kessler Obituary November 12, 2024 |url=https://www.schramkafuneralhome.com/obituaries/frederick-kessler |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=Schramka Funeral Homes |language=en}}</ref>
Fred and Joan Kessler had two children. He died from cancer on November 12, 2024, at the age of 84.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Opoien |first1=Jessie |title=Obituary: Fred Kessler was a former state legislator and judge |url=https://eu.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/11/13/obituary-former-state-legislator-and-judge-fred-kessler-dies-at-84/76264028007/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=14 November 2024}}</ref>
==Electoral history==
=== Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 10th district (1960) ===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 10th District Election, 1960<ref name="1962elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1962 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1962 |year=1962 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |location=Madison, Wisconsin |editor1-last= Toepel |editor1-first= M. G. |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |access-date= February 26, 2020 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1962/reference/wi.wibluebk1962.i0016.pdf |chapter=Wisconsin Elections | pages=797, 868}}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Democratic Primary, September 13, 1960''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 932 |percentage = 38.01% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Patrick H. Kelly (incumbent) |votes = 654 |percentage = 26.67% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Thomas J. Higgins |votes = 264 |percentage = 10.77% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = George D. Havey |votes = 241 |percentage = 9.83% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Joseph H. Herro |votes = 213 |percentage = 8.69% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jess F. Klingenberg |votes = 148 |percentage = 6.04% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 2,452 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 3, 1960''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 6,148 |percentage = 63.17% |change = +3.50% }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Herbert Warren Smith |votes = 3,585 |percentage = 36.83% |change = +5.98% }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 2,563 |percentage = 26.33% |change = -2.48% }} {{Election box total |votes = 9,733 |percentage = 100.0% |change = +45.29% }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing| |winner = Democratic Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}
===Wisconsin Senate (1962)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Senate, 6th District Election, 1962<ref name="1964elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1964 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1964 |year=1964 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |location=Madison, Wisconsin |editor-last= Theobald |editor-first= H. Rupert |access-date= February 26, 2020 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1964/reference/wi.wibluebk1964.i0016.pdf |chapter=Elections in Wisconsin | pages=797, 868}}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Democratic Primary, September 11, 1962''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Martin J. Schreiber |votes = 3,250 |percentage = 41.28% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 2,890 |percentage = 36.71% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Richard C. Emery |votes = 1,344 |percentage = 17.07% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = John Schaller |votes = 389 |percentage = 4.94% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 7,873 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 10th district (1964–1970)===
{| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! rowspan="5" valign="top" | 1964<ref name="bb1966elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1966 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1966 |year= 1966 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Theobald |editor-first= H. Rupert |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1966/reference/wi.wibluebk1966.i0015.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 743, 757 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | rowspan="4" valign="top" | Primary | rowspan="4" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 8}} | rowspan="4" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler'''}} | rowspan="4" valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | rowspan="4" valign="top" align="right" | 1,823 | rowspan="4" valign="top" align="right" | 59.77% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|William E. Nagel}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 489 | valign="top" align="right" | 16.03% | rowspan="4" valign="top" align="right" | 3,050 | rowspan="4" valign="top" align="right" | 1,334 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Patrick H. Kelly (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 421 | valign="top" align="right" | 13.80% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|James DeWitt}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 261 | valign="top" align="right" | 8.56% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Robert E. Watt}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 56 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.84% |- | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 7,004 | valign="top" align="right" | 73.50% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kenneth R. Sherwin}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 2,525 | valign="top" align="right" | 26.50% | valign="top" align="right" | 9,529 | valign="top" align="right" | 4,479 |- ! valign="top" | 1966<ref name="bb1968elex">{{Cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1968 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1968 |year= 1968 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1968/reference/wi.wibluebk1968.i0014.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 715, 726 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Frederick Kessler (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 2,984 | valign="top" align="right" | 66.05% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Albert M. Cortell}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 1,534 | valign="top" align="right" | 33.95% | valign="top" align="right" | 4,518 | valign="top" align="right" | 1,450 |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1968<ref name="bb1970elex">{{Cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1970 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1970 |year= 1970 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |editor-last2= Robbins |editor-first2= Patricia V. |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1970/reference/wi.wibluebk1970.i0015.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 805, 819 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | Primary | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 10}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Frederick Kessler (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 1,166 | valign="top" align="right" | 82.81% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Eugene O'Connell}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 242 | valign="top" align="right" | 17.19% | valign="top" align="right" | 1,408 | valign="top" align="right" | 924 |- | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Frederick Kessler (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 5,183 | valign="top" align="right" | 69.16% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Thomas Miller}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 2,311 | valign="top" align="right" | 30.84% | valign="top" align="right" | 7,494 | valign="top" align="right" | 2,872 |- ! valign="top" | 1970<ref name="bb1971elex">{{Cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1971 |title= The State of Wisconsin Blue Book, 1971 |year= 1971 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1971/reference/wi.wibluebk1971.i0011.pdf |chapter= Elections |pages= 303, 320 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" | General | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Frederick Kessler (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 3,795 | valign="top" align="right" | 77.48% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Paul E. Chovanec}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 1,103 | valign="top" align="right" | 22.52% | valign="top" align="right" | 4,898 | valign="top" align="right" | 2,692 |}
===U.S. House of Representatives (1982)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District Election, 1982<ref name="bb1983elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1983 |title= The state of Wisconsin 1983-1984 Blue Book |year=1983 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |location=Madison, Wisconsin |editor1-last= Theobald |editor1-first= H. Rupert |editor2-last= Robbins |editor2-first= Patricia V. |access-date= March 6, 2020 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1983/reference/wi.wibluebk1983.i0016.pdf |chapter=Elections | pages=883, 905}}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Democratic Primary, September 14, 1982''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Moody |votes = 17,073 |percentage = 18.52% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 15,804 |percentage = 17.14% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Orville E. Pitts |votes = 15,264 |percentage = 16.55% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Warren D. Braun |votes = 13,320 |percentage = 14.45% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Marty Aronson |votes = 11,799 |percentage = 12.80% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Kevin D. O'Connor |votes = 10,368 |percentage = 11.24% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Karen Lamb |votes = 3,814 |percentage = 4.14% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Harout O. Sanasarian |votes = 2,812 |percentage = 3.05% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Roman R. Blenski |votes = 1,409 |percentage = 1.53% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = John Werner |votes = 539 |percentage = 0.58% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 1,269 |percentage = 1.38% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 92,202 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===Wisconsin Circuit Court (1986)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 11 Election, 1986<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1987 |title= The state of Wisconsin 1987-1988 Blue Book |year=1987 |editor1-last= Theobald |editor1-first= H. Rupert |editor2-last= Barish |editor2-first= Lawrence S. |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |access-date= February 26, 2020 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1987/reference/wi.wibluebk1987.i0016.pdf |chapter= Elections | page=863}}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, April 1, 1986''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Nonpartisan politician |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 55,690 |percentage = 50.22% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Nonpartisan politician |candidate = Christ T. Seraphim (incumbent) |votes = 55,205 |percentage = 49.78% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 110,895 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===U.S. House of Representatives (1988, 1992)=== {{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District Election, 1988<ref name="bb1989elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1989 |title= State of Wisconsin 1989-1990 Blue Book |year=1989 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |location=Madison, Wisconsin |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |access-date= October 15, 2021 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1989/reference/wi.wibluebk1989.i0016.pdf |chapter=Elections in Wisconsin | page= 906 }}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Democratic Primary, September 13, 1988''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jim Moody (incumbent) |votes = 47,789 |percentage = 58.99% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Matthew J. Flynn |votes = 19,906 |percentage = 24.57% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Donald Sykes |votes = 5,314 |percentage = 6.56% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Terrance L. Pitts |votes = 4,966 |percentage = 6.13% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 2,517 |percentage = 3.11% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Roman R. Blenski |votes = 517 |percentage = 0.64% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 27,883 |percentage = 34.42% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 81,009 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District Election, 1992<ref name="1993elex">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1993 |title= State of Wisconsin 1993-1994 Blue Book |year=1993 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |location=Madison, Wisconsin |editor2-last= Theobald |editor2-first= H. Rupert |editor1-last= Barish |editor1-first= Lawrence S. |access-date= October 15, 2021 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1993/reference/wi.wibluebk1993.i0016.pdf |chapter=Elections | page= 906 }}</ref>}} | colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''Democratic Primary, September 13, 1988''' {{Election box winning candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Thomas Barrett |votes = 34,301 |percentage = 41.07% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Terrance L. Pitts |votes = 18,928 |percentage = 22.66% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Frederick P. Kessler |votes = 15,729 |percentage = 18.83% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Marc J. Marotta |votes = 13,411 |percentage = 16.06% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Roman R. Blenski |votes = 662 |percentage = 0.79% |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link| |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Gerald D. Wilson |votes = 483 |percentage = 0.58% |change = }} {{Election box plurality |votes = 15,373 |percentage = 18.41% |change = }} {{Election box total |votes = 83,514 |percentage = 100.0% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
===Wisconsin Assembly, 12th district (2004–2018)=== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 2004 | valign="top" | Primary<ref>{{cite report |url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2004%20Partisan%20Primary%20-%20Summary.pdf |title= Results of Fall Primary Election - 09/14/2004 |date= November 10, 2004 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |page= 26 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 |archive-date= May 11, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220511100749/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2004%20Partisan%20Primary%20-%20Summary.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 14}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 3,112 | valign="top" align="right" | 55.31% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Rene Settle-Robinson}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 2,496 | valign="top" align="right" | 44.37% | valign="top" align="right" | 5,626 | valign="top" align="right" | 616 |- | valign="top" | General<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2004_FallElection_Results_Summary.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/02/2004 |date= December 1, 2004 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |page= 15 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 2}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 18,720 | valign="top" align="right" | 90.98% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kenneth R. Sherwin}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Constitution}} | Con. | valign="top" align="right" | 1,761 | valign="top" align="right" | 8.56% | valign="top" align="right" | 20,576 | valign="top" align="right" | 16,959 |- ! valign="top" | 2006 | valign="top" | General<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2006_FallElection_Results_Summary_0.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/07/2006 |date= December 5, 2006 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |page=16 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 7}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 13,193 | valign="top" align="right" | 98.76% | colspan="4" rowspan="2" |''--unopposed--'' | valign="top" align="right" | 13,359 | valign="top" align="right" | 13,027 |- ! valign="top" | 2008 | valign="top" | General<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2008_FallElection_Results_Summary_0.pdf |title= Results of Fall General Election - 11/04/2008 |date= November 25, 2008 |publisher= Wisconsin State Elections Board |page=13 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 4}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 20,399 | valign="top" align="right" | 98.92% | valign="top" align="right" | 20,622 | valign="top" align="right" | 20,176 |- ! valign="top" | 2010 | valign="top" | General<ref name="2010wec">{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/2010%20Fall%20General%20Election%20Results%20Summary.pdf |title= Official summary results of the November 2, 2010 General Election |date= December 1, 2010 |publisher= Wisconsin Government Accountability Board |page=12 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 2}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 13,758 | valign="top" align="right" | 73.73% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Sam Hagedorn}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 4,868 | valign="top" align="right" | 26.09% | valign="top" align="right" | 18,661 | valign="top" align="right" | 8,890 |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 2012 | valign="top" | Primary<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Percentage%20Results_8.14.12%20primary.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2012 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2012 |date= August 28, 2012 |publisher= Wisconsin Government Accountability Board |page=19 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Aug. 14}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 1,937 | valign="top" align="right" | 71.48% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Mario R. Hall}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 762 | valign="top" align="right" | 28.12% | valign="top" align="right" | 2,710 | valign="top" align="right" | 1,175 |- | valign="top" | General<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Amended%20Percentage%20Results-11.6.12%20President.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2012 Presidential and General Election - 11/6/2012 |date= December 26, 2012 |publisher= Wisconsin Government Accountability Board |page=11 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 6}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 16,193 | valign="top" align="right" | 98.59% | colspan="4" | ''--unopposed--'' | valign="top" align="right" | 16,425 | valign="top" align="right" | |- ! valign="top" | 2014 | valign="top" | General<ref>{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/11.4.14%20Summary%20Results-all%20offices.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 |date= November 26, 2014 |publisher= Wisconsin Government Accountability Board |page=12 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 4}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 16,494 | valign="top" align="right" | 97.94% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Russell Goodwin (write-in)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 3 | valign="top" align="right" | 0.02% | valign="top" align="right" | 16,841 | valign="top" align="right" | |- ! valign="top" | 2016 | valign="top" | General<ref name="2016wec">{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Statewide%20Results%20All%20Offices%20%28post-Presidential%20recount%29.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 |date= December 22, 2016 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |page=11 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 18,642 | valign="top" align="right" | 98.42% | colspan="4" | ''--unopposed--'' | valign="top" align="right" | 18,941 | valign="top" align="right" | |- ! valign="top" | 2018 | valign="top" | Primary<ref name="2018primary">{{cite report|url= https://elections.wi.gov/sites/elections.wi.gov/files/Percentage%20Results%20%288.14.18%29.pdf |title= Canvass Results for 2018 Partisan Primary - 8/14/2018 |date= August 31, 2018 |publisher= Wisconsin Elections Commission |page=39 |accessdate= October 15, 2021 }}</ref> | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Aug. 14}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|LaKeshia Myers}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 3,709 | valign="top" align="right" | 59.23% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frederick Kessler''' (inc.)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 2,545 | valign="top" align="right" | 40.64% | valign="top" align="right" | 6,262 | valign="top" align="right" | 1,164 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20130126154838/http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/asm12/news/ Official government website] *{{CongLinks|congbio=|votesmart=52032|fec=|congress=}} *''Follow the Money'' - Fred Kessler **[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=110237 2008] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=78680 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=68276 2004] campaign contributions *[http://www.wisdc.org/pro08-100994.php Campaign 2008] campaign contributions at ''Wisconsin Democracy Campaign''
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-wi-hs}} {{s-bef|before = Patrick H. Kelly }} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the Milwaukee 10th district}} |years= January 2, 1961{{spaced ndash}}January 7, 1963 }} {{s-aft|after = Patrick H. Kelly }} {{s-bef|before = Patrick H. Kelly }} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the Milwaukee 10th district}} |years= January 4, 1965{{spaced ndash}}July 5, 1972 }} {{s-non|reason = District abolished }} |- {{s-bef|before = Shirley Krug }} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly}} {{nowrap|from the 12th district}} |years= January 3, 2005{{spaced ndash}}January 1, 2019 }} {{s-aft|after = LaKeshia Myers }} {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before = Christ T. Seraphim }} {{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|County Judge of Milwaukee County, Branch 4}}|years= July 5, 1972{{spaced ndash}}July 31, 1978 }} {{s-non|reason = Office abolished}} |- {{s-non|reason = New circuit}} {{s-ttl|title ={{nowrap|Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 23}} |years= August 1, 1978{{spaced ndash}}June 2, 1981}} {{s-aft|after = Janine P. Geske}} {{s-bef|before = Christ T. Seraphim}} {{s-ttl|title ={{nowrap|Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 11}} |years= August 1, 1986{{spaced ndash}}February 9, 1988}} {{s-aft|after = Dominic S. Amato}} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kessler, Fred}} Category:1940 births Category:2024 deaths Category:Politicians from Milwaukee Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Category:Wisconsin circuit court judges Category:2012 United States presidential electors Category:Lawyers from Milwaukee Category:20th-century Wisconsin state court judges Category:Deaths from cancer in Wisconsin Category:21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature Category:20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature