Leading candidate in the gubernatorial recall Tom Barrett is urging the rest of the field to end their disputes within the party and focus on defeating Gov. Scott Walker.
Barrett sent a letter to Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate Monday asking him to create a “Unity Committee” comprised of representatives from each of the four candidates for the Democratic nomination. He said the committee would “develop a unified plan and strategy to support the Democratic nominee, and keep the focus of this election on defeating Gov. Scott Walker.”
The latest Public Policy Polling polls show the Milwaukee mayor with a comfortable lead over former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, and Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette.
“[Voters] look to Democrats now to end this divisive discord and restore dignity to our political discourse,” Barrett wrote in the letter. “We must reassure them with our plan for unity.”
In recent weeks, Barrett and Falk have attacked each other’s stances on important issues like Walker’s budget plan and restoring collective bargaining for public employees. Falk said she would propose a new budget plan, but Barrett has said he would reinstate collective bargaining rights for public employees without trying to pass a new budget.
The primary election is on May 8 and the general recall election will be on June 5. Four state Senators are also facing recall elections.
