Gov. Walker, Mary Burke say voters must pay attention in 2014 race

MADISON (WITI) -- With so much conflicting economic data swirling around, how will voters know how to judge the candidates for governor in 2014? Both current Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic candidate for 2014, Mary Burke say they'll have to pay attention.

Burke, the newly minuted candidate for governor in 2014 made her first campaign stop in Milwaukee one day after her announcement, on Tuesday, October 8th.

"It's great to be back in Milwaukee. I have dep roots here -- growing up in Wauwatosa and Hartland.  Watching Al McGuire win National Championships was a big part of my childhood," Burke said.

Each side is using economic statistics that could be confusing for voters.

"They're going to have to play close attention and a lot of old startistics are going to be thrown out by the opposition.  I think a couple key ones: 11,590.  That's the net new businesses created since I've take office.  My goal when I ran was 10,000 new businesses in this state. We've exceed that," Gov. Walker said.

"We're 49th in the country in terms of new businesses started.  I know we can do better than that, so starting up new businesses, making sure they can grow and investing in our core industries," Burke said.

Gov. Walker says he is standing by his promise to help create 250,000 new jobs in his first term.

"Right now, I'm really focused every day, every week, every month -- on helping the people of the state create more jobs and more opportunity, to improve prosperity in the state no matter where they live and no matter what their background," Gov. Walker said.

"Jobs is certainly the top priority in the state.  When I headed up Commerce, we had 84,000 more jobs than we have currently.  We can grow our economy first by making it a priority and focusing on it, and secondly by building on the assets the state already has. We have a strong tourism industry, great agriculture, high-tech, manufacturing -- these are things we need to make sure we're investing in to be competitive," Burke said.

Burke kicked off her campaign with a video that ranks Wisconsin 45th in the country in job creation.

Gov. Walker, however, points to data from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank that shows Wisconsin's economy is strengthening.

"I think voters are going to have to look at the most recent information -- not just statistics from the past.  Where we're headed," Gov. Walker said.