Barrett launches campaign for governor in Madison Wednesday

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett managed to hold onto his seat after Tuesday's election, beating out Edward McDonald. Despite announcing his plans to run for governor in the recall election, Milwaukee's incumbent mayor grabbed 71 percent of voters' support in Milwaukee. Less than 24 hours later, Barrett was back on the campaign trail, campaigning for governor at the state Capitol.

Barrett's focus Wednesday afternoon was on his candidacy for governor in the upcoming recall election. During a stop in Madison, Barrett said a number of Democratic state Assembly members and senators will endorse him. Barrett spoke from the state House steps alongside a number of those Democrats endorsing his campaign. "I am truly honored by the support I have gotten from legislators - a list that will continue to grow. This state has been in a political civil war, and I am here to tell you that I will end this awful war," Barrett said.

Barrett also called for fellow Democratic candidates to keep the campaign clean, and focus on Governor Walker. Barrett said he is ready to turn around the turmoil in the state, but Republicans aren't buying it. They don't think any Democrat can complete the recall of Governor Walker with a win. "Voters have made it very clear that they want to continue moving Wisconsin forward under the leadership of Governor Walker. Governor Walker has already laid the foundation for economic growth and voters want to continue moving Wisconsin forward under Governor Walker," Wisconsin Republican Party spokesman Ben Sparks said.

Besides Barrett, there are three other Democrats who have declared they will run in the recall election. They include former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, State Senator Kathleen Vinehout and Secretary of State Doug LaFollette. "I've been out there all last year, working hard with that working group of men and women environmentalists in those groups that Scott Walker has assaulted," Falk said. "I believe people want that fresh start, new beginning in Wisconsin politics, and I welcome (Barrett) to the campaign. We will see what happens," Vinehout said. "I'm going to do it the right way with people, and without a lot of negative campaigning," LaFollette sad.

The winner of the Democratic primary election May 8th will face Governor Walker in the general election scheduled for June 5th.