Burke Says GOP Has Not Focused Enough On Reducing Gun Violence

The issue of handgun violence in Milwaukee entered the governor’s race today, as Democratic candidate Mary Burke said Republicans are more focused on suppressing votes in the city.

At a Monday news conference regarding the arrest of a suspect in the shooting of a 10-year-old girl, Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn complained that Republicans in the Legislature have focused on imposing voting restrictions in the city and have not done enough to reduce gun violence.

Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke made the same allegation.

“I think from what we have seen, and the bills that have been passed – yes, it does appear that they take voter suppression more seriously than violence suppression,” said Burke.

Burke says as governor, she would work with Milwaukee officials to make sure law enforcement is adequately funded and that the education system is strong.

“And that we are engaging students early on,” said Burke. “Engaging families, because obviously we have young people that are pursuing, unfortunately, lives of crime, and making those decisions early.”

A spokeswoman for Gov. Scottt Walker’s re-election campaign said: “From his leadership on Wisconsin’s Truth in Sentencing law to his fight to roll back the Doyle administration’s dangerous early release program, Walker has had a longstanding and strong record on curbing crime and violence.”