Barrett ends speculation, announces gubernatorial run

Mayor Tom Barrett

Story compiled by MCJ Staff
After several months of speculation as to whether or not he would run for Wisconsin governor, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett made it official Sunday...he WILL be the Democratic candidate for the state’s highest office.

With his wife, children and the front of his home as his backdrop before a gathering of media, supporters and city officials, Barrett explained why he waited until know to throw his hat into the proverbial election ring and take on Republican challengers Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann.

Barrett stressed the paramount reason for the delay in announcing his intentions was his family and assurances they would support his running for governor.

Another factor was the medical condition of his right hand. Barrett injured it during an attack outside State Fair Park in August while coming to the aid of a woman and her grandchild who were being verbally assaulted by Anthony Peters, the former boyfriend of the woman’s daughter.

When Barrett tried to intervene, the man attacked him, hitting the mayor in the stomach and striking his hand and head with what was believed to be a police-style baton.

The incident made Barrett a hero among anti-domestic abuse advocates and garnered national headlines, as well as a call from President Barack Obama.

When Gov. Jim Doyle announced this past summer he would not seek a third term as governor, it opened a Pandora’s Box of questions as to whether or not Barrett (who seemed to many political observers and radio talk show pundits to be an automatic choice) would run for the office.

The mayor said he would remain in office while making his gubernatorial run. Barrett said his platform during the campaign would be jobs, the economy and improving the public schools.

As it relates to improving education, Barrett will run amidst his biggest challenge as mayor so far (other than the reduction of crime), an effort to transfer the governance of the state’s largest school system from an elected school board to city hall.

Barrett and Doyle are working together to push for legislation that would give the Milwaukee mayor control over the hiring and firing of the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, as well as authority over the MPS budget and labor negotiations.

The education initiative has sparked heated debate among the one constituency Barrett will need to win Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin in his run for governor: the African American community.

A large portion of the community has voiced concern about--if not outright rejection of--the governance change proposal, while Black city and state lawmakers seem split on the issue, with some within the last two to three weeks presenting their own plans for governance change.