Winnebago County’s Harris Considering Governor’s Race

Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris says he’ll decide by Labor Day whether to get into the race for governor.If he runs, he could be joined by former Trek executive and one-time Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Mary Burke.

The possibility of a Burke candidacy has some prospective candidates thinking twice about running, saying it would be best to avoid a primary.But Harris thinks a primary could be a good thing for any Democrat who lacks statewide name recognition.

“I will say this, I find Mary Burke to be an impressive individual,and I think she would make a good governor,” Harris says.”But I think both her and I would benefit from having a Democratic primary, and I’m sure that there’s other well-qualified Democrats that would benefit from that as well.”

Harris says he spoke with Burke, who told him that there might be a fundraising advantage to Democrats if their candidate were determined early.Burke has not commented publicly on her plans.

Harris worked as a trust banker before being elected Winnebago County Executive in 2005.Asked why he might run for governor, he points to decisions by Governor Scott Walker to increase state spending and borrowing to finance tax cuts aimed mostly at manufacturers.

“You know, I’m very unhappy with the general level of unfairness in the state budget and also with what I believe is fiscally reckless policy,” Harris says.

Harris says he also worries what the expansion of private school vouchers will do to Wisconsin’s public school system.

Harris’ neighbor in the Fox Valley, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, has been occasionally mentioned as a possible candidate for governor.Nelson did not return calls this week seeking a comment on whether he’s running.