Gubernatorial Candidates Try To Boost Turnout In Southeast Wisconsin

Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke spent Sunday trying to boost turnout in vote-rich southeastern Wisconsin.

Burke started her day touring African-American churches in Milwaukee, and by midday was greeting supporters at a Milwaukee campaign office. She said that she’s willing to take on Milwaukee’s problems.

“We have to take them on, because for Wisconsin to be thriving we need a thriving Milwaukee and we need a thriving central city,” said Burke. “We have to take on the issues around education. We have to take on the issues around high unemployment. Milwaukee has not gotten back jobs at the same rate as the rest of the country or the rest of the state, even.”

Burke also made stops in Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha and Whitewater.

Walker kept to his general pattern and did not campaign in the Democratic stronghold of Milwaukee. Instead, Walker and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan campaigned together in Janesville, Franksville, Kenosha, Whitewater and Delavan, where Walker went to high school.

In Delavan, Walker joked about President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and other big name Democrats having recently shown up in Milwaukee: “It’s funny how they don’t … go to Delavan or Wauwatosa or Green Bay or La Crosse.”

The size of the Democratic turnout in Milwaukee, Madison and a few other cities could make a big difference in who wins the gubernatorial race on Tuesday. Both candidates are nevertheless looking for voters whenever they can find them. Walker made stops in six communities Monday, while Burke made stops in five.