Burke Stands By Campaign Platform Following More Reports Of Copied Text

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke is standing by her campaign platform, following more reports that Burke’s plans copied text from other sources.

The website Buzzfeed reported last week that paragraphs in Burke’s economic development plan were identical to paragraphs in the plans of other Democratic candidates. Burke blamed the copied language on consultant Eric Schnurer, who has worked for Democrats around the country.

Burke’s campaign fired Schnurer after Buzzfeed published its findings.

“Those exact words should not have been used that were used in other plans, and that’s why we cut ties. But I’ll be clear about this: as governor, I am going to welcome ideas from other places, the best ideas and best practices. That’s what we did at Trek Bicycle, and that’s how we’re going to make sure Wisconsin has a thriving economy,” said Burke.

Buzzfeed, however, has reported more findings of copied text this week, showing that passages in Burke’s rural plan were lifted from sources that include the Wisconsin State Journal, though those passages are cited in her plan’s footnootes.

“Certainly anything that is not directly from Eric that should be cited would be cited,” said Burke, in response to the latest report.

Burke was asked by reporters in Madison to give her definition of plagiarism, to which she replied: “Using words — exact words — from a source that isn’t cited and isn’t attributable.”

Asked whether she’d violated her own policy, Burke said no. She said her consultant had merely copied his own words.