Tom Barrett Joins Wisconsin Recall Race

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (D) put an end to speculation and announced Friday that he is joining the recall race to unseat Republican Governor Scott Walker. Barett unsuccessfully ran for governor against Walker in 2010.

“Today, the Government Accountability Board certified a recall election against Scott Walker, and I wanted you to be among the first to know that, after serious deliberation and reflection, I will be a candidate for Governor,” he wrote in an email to supporters on Friday afternoon. “This was not a decision I made lightly,” Barrett added in his announcement. “I love this state and I care deeply about our future. That’s why I ran for governor in 2010 — even though I knew it was an uphill battle. We ran a strong and energetic campaign fueled by your support and the support of thousands across Wisconsin.”

Barrett may be the early and narrow front-runner in a race that includes former Democratic Dane County executive Kathleen Falk. Recent polling has Walker ahead of both challengers, with Walker leading Barrett 47 to 45 percent and Walker beating Falk 49 to 45 percent among registered voters.

Despite Barrett’s narrow lead as front-runner, Falk has significant backing from labor unions meaning the May 8 primary will be a fight.

Major Developments In Wisconsin Recall Elections

Photo from Sue Peacock via flickr.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

2:04PM PDT on Apr 2, 2012

Well I join Marianne and Sharon in stating I've never been polled either, and I've always asked clients and friend if they've been polled only to hear the same thing. There are a number of pollsters that are considered bi-partisan but a couple of leading pollsters who are well-know as to the right partisan. I would love to see politicians who have been re-called, not allowed to run in a major election again for specified number of years. If this were the case, I believe there would be far fewer who corrupt their office.

April 2
send a green star

Winn A.

7:51PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Love the sign

April 1
send a green star

Bob P.

2:47PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

thanks

Dan B.

1:22PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

The regressive Republican Party of No is obstructionist, mean-spirited, thuggish, religiously fanatical, scientifically ignorant, corrupt, hypocritical, xenophobic, racist, sexist, homophobic, evolution and global warming denying, oily, anti-environment, anti-health, anti-consumer, anti-choice, anti-birth control, anti-education, anti-99%, union busting, Medicare mashing and Social Security slashing, fiscally irresponsible, authoritarian, selfish, greedy, out-of-touch, dishonest, lacking compassion, warmongering, and otherwise dangerous.

NEVER vote for Republicans.

Susan T.

12:49PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Polls rarely call cell phone users, and many under 30 folks only have cell phones. This would be a strong anti-Walker contingency.

Walker has had the advantage of running tons of ads paid for by his big bucks supporters for the last few months - unchallenged. When the Dem candidates start running ads, these numbers may change. But they better hurry it up.

This will be a tough primary. Barrett has not been that great for unions but he has a name recognition advantage.

Marilyn L.

10:43AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

I never have put much faith in polls there are to many factors to be considered. Let's hope the people vote him out of office and give the new Govenor a majority of Democrats so they can pass billa to undo the damage caused by walker and his cronies.

Luvenia V.

10:42AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

If justice is served Walker and all his kind will be soon be gone. We do NOT need the American Taliban in power.

Tim C.

10:39AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Jack E.

8:59AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Anyone that is elected to replace Walker will be better than that communist Koch suck up.

Sharon H.

8:32AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Marianne, as you know, I don't live in WI but hope Walker gets the boot. Like you, I've never been polled either...for anything...so I always wonder where they get the numbers they publish.