State political and government news: Barrett announces bid for governor

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MILWAUKEE - The June 5th recall election facing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is starting to look like a rematch. Just hours after the Government Accountability Board ordered the election, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced he would oppose Walker again.

Barrett sent an e-mail to his supporters saying he would begin campaigning immediately. He faces a Democratic primary against the union-supported candidate Kathleen Falk, Secretary of State Douglas LaFollette and State Sen. Katleen Vinehout of Alma on May 8th – and that’s just five and a half weeks away. A Walker campaign spokesperson branded Barrett a two-time loser who has failed to turn Milwaukee’s economy around.

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A former top aide to Governor Scott Walker will have to stand trial in Milwaukee County because the judge says that’s where her alleged crime was committed. Kelly Rindfleisch had told the court her true residence was in Columbus, asking her trial be moved to Columbia County. Judge David Hansher said no. Rinfleisch is accused of doing extensive campaign work in 2010 while holding a taxpayer-funded job for Walker in his final year as Milwaukee County Executive. Her attorney says they will likely file an appeal. Tentative trial date for Rindfleisch is October 15th.

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If Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wins his recall election, he will be the first sitting governor to accomplish that. Walker is the third governor in U.S. history to face a recall attempt. The Government Accountability Board set the election date for June 5th yesterday. North Dakota Governor Lynn Frazier was successfully recalled in 1921 and California Governor Gray Davis lost a recall vote in 2003. Rebecca Kleefisch is the first lieutenant governor ever to face a recall election.

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Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich tells a Wisconsin crowd the federal government could save billions of dollars by using better technology. The former House Speaker told an audience at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh that the White House should make domestic oil production a higher priority. Gingrich made three appearances in northeastern Wisconsin yesterday.

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The head of the State Democratic Party says there’s “no great cause for celebration” in today’s historic order for a recall election against Governor Scott Walker. Mike Tate said quote, “Wisconsin deserves an honest discussion about her future, and today’s actions ensure that this judgment will now be in the hands of the people.” Democrats helped run the recall petition drive. And today, the Government Accountability Board certified a total of one-point-seven million petition signatures for separate recall elections against the Republican Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. They’ll be held June 5, with primaries on May 8. Walker’s camp said it believes most voters will stand with the governor’s record of quote, “laying the foundation for a more successful Wisconsin.” But Kathleen Falk, a Democrat who’s been endorsed by the state’s largest public employee unions, said “the people are ready for change.” The recall was prompted by last year’s move by Republicans to strip most public employees of their collective bargaining privileges – except to ask for pay raises at-or-below inflation. Falk has promised to veto the entire state budget next year unless collective bargaining is restored. The board also ordered recall votes today against Republican state senators Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau, Van Wanggaard of Racine, Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls, and Pam Galloway of Wausau – although Galloway resigned earlier this month, and the GOP has put up another Republican for that post.

Tags: news, wisconsin, government, politics