Barrett 'All In' for Recall Race for Governor; GOP to Run Placeholder Democrats

In an email to supporters on Friday, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced he is “all in” for an upcoming recall election of Gov. Scott Walker.

Barrett, who has come up short twice in bids for the governor’s office including in 2010 against Walker, is the fourth Democrat to declare their candidacy.

The Government Accountability Board, the state agency that oversees elections, on Friday . A recall election of Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch was also certified.

A Democratic primary is scheduled for May 8, with former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Secretary of State Doug La Follette of Madison and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma all announcing bids.

“This was not a decision I made lightly,” Barrett said in the email to supporters. “I love this state and I care deeply about our future.

“Starting tomorrow, I will crisscross the state, taking our message directly to the people in every corner and working everyday to restore our values and move Wisconsin forward.”

Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Wisconsin said Barrett hasn't taken the hint after he was rejected by voters in the 2010 gubernatorial race against Walker. 

"Voters have no desire to take Wisconsin down the disastrous path Tom Barrett has led Milwaukee," spokesman Ben Sparks said. "Wisconsin rejected Barrett and elected Governor Walker by an overwhelming majority because they wanted to move Wisconsin forward from the eight years of failed liberal policies that culminated in 150,000 lost jobs and a $3.6 billion budget deficit."

GOP to run 'protest Democrats'

The state GOP also said Friday it will run placeholder Democrats to ensure primaries take place in all recall races and general elections are held on the same date for all targeted Republicans.

"The Republican Party will not actively campaign for the protest candidates, other than collecting nomination signatures to ensure their place on the ballot," Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Stephan Thompson said in a statement. "Without protest candidates, the Democratic Party would be able to control the dates in which Republican officials face election, potentially separating the elections for state senate and lieutenant governor from the governor."