Barrett, Abele want to prove politicians can work together
MILWAUKEE- Both Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Mayor Barrett say at a time when all you hear about is politicians fighting, they wanted to come together, and prove politicians can work together. Both leaders are from the same political leaning.
"I'm a proud candidate for mayor for the city of Milwaukee. I don't know what the future holds in terms of that election or any other election," Barrett announced Wednedsay.
But he wouldn't say if he was eliminating the possibility of running against Governor Scott Walker in a possible recall election.
"I am saying quite proudly that I am a candidate for mayor in the city of Milwaukee," Barrett said.
What the mayor isn't saying that has people talking.
"I think we should interpret the mayor's comment as he's keeping his options open," said University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Political Science Professor, Mordecai Lee.
"It would be refreshing if a politician would give you a yes or no for something as simple as running," said Rick Baas of the Milwaukee County GOP.
Baas says the mayor may be able to run his re-election campaign unopposed.
"It does look like that, however you never know. Another Democrat may want to get in," Baas said.
While Barrett won't comment on a possible recall election with Governor Walker, he says he's happy to support County Executive Abele.
"I'm excited, not only to run for re-election for mayor, but to endorse County Executive Chris Abele," Barrett said.
While Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, Jr. has mentioned that he could do the job, so far no one has announced that they will run against the sitting County Executive.
County Executive Abele boasted how well he works with Milwaukee Mayor Barrett, and says he wants to continue that working relationship.
"Since it was so easy and natural for us, we wanted to model and set the idea that if we all work together since we are serving the same people, we can get a lot more effective and efficient results," Abele said.
If someone wants to run against the County Executive, they would have to get 2,000 signatures and turn them in before January 3rd.
"No one has filed yet. Obviously I'm running as if it's the most difficult race I've been in," Abele said.
During the county's budget battle, Sheriff David Clarke Jr. said he could do the County Executive's job, but will he try?
"The Sheriff ran for Mayor and ran I have to admit, an embarrassing campaign, very unprofessional, very unorganized. He was sort of a one man band," Lee said.
Baas says no Republican is stepping forward yet, but says the Sheriff would spice up the election.
"I haven't spoken with the Sheriff, so I can't speak for him but it would make for an interesting race if he did. You could not get two clearly more different people trying to watch the people's money."
We reached out to the Sheriff, but he did not return our calls or emails for comment.
The election for Mayor and County Executive will be April 3rd.
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