Two developments today in the open seat 'race' for the Democratic Nomination for Wisconsin Governor.
First, the Milwalkee Journal/Sentinal's Dan Bice reports on White House efforts to get a reluctant Milwalkee mayor Tom Barrett to run. Barrett, who'd sought the post in 2002, put off a decision until next month, saying he wants to pass a City budget first.
Then, in a surprise email to supporters, Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton, the only declared candidate drops out, citing unspecified family commitments.
With previously presumed candidates Cong. Ron Kind and State Senator Jon Erpenbach (my first choice) having previously announced they'd seek re-election, rather than go for the executive post, there's currently nobody actively running.
I'll take this opportinity to reiterate I'm not interested. My talents are more legislative than executive, the hours suck, and I'm not inclined to have State Patrol officers following me around, even in a protective role. I remain a Candidate for the US Senate seat, currently occupied by Herb Kohl, up in 2012.
WisOpinion.com's Steve Walters takes a look at Barrett's prospects through the prism of the urban/rural divide. Wisconsin hasn't elected a Governor from Milwaukee since 1938, but with both of the Republicans seeking the post coming from the Milwaukee area, this may be less a factor this time around. Barrett leads both in early polling, where Lawton had trailed.
Outside the Box? I like Gary Sherman, who represents a District along the Lake Superior shore in the State Assembly. (He's not expressed any interest, nor been mentioned, but if Barrett declines, somebody's going to have to do it, and his northwoods roots match up nicely against the suburbanoids running as Republicans.