Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) has endorsed Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the Democratic primary for governor, in the state’s gubernatorial recall against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
Kohl said in a statement:
“I’m supporting Tom Barrett for governor. While I wouldn’t ordinarily endorse in a primary, this is no ordinary race or time. Tom’s decision to run speaks volumes about who Tom is – a strong leader known around the state as someone who will work with everyone to help bring Wisconsinites together and move our state forward again. Tom and I have worked together for years, and his commitment to the people he represents is as strong as his many accomplishments. Whether it’s working with businesses to create jobs, protecting education or standing up for working families, Tom will be an effective and forward-thinking governor for all of our state.”
Barrett was previously the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010, losing to Walker by 52%-47% in that Republican wave year. Now in the Democratic primary, organized labor is widely supporting former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and have opposed Barrett because he has feuded with the public employee union leaders on city issues.
Kohl is retiring from his Senate seat in the 2012 general election.
