Stuck With Lackluster Gov Candidates, Wisconsin Dems Desperately Turn To….Tom Barrett?

Stuck with a field of lackluster gubernatorial candidates who have failed to make an impression on voters, Wisconsin Democrats are getting desperate, and now considering running a perennial candidate who has already lost three elections for governor. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who lost twice to Governor Walker in consecutive general elections, is reportedly considering a fourth try for Wisconsin’s highest office.

Barrett’s possible entry is just the latest sign of how poorly Wisconsin’s Democrat gubernatorial field has performed thus far. Plagued by anemic fundraising and low name ID, the candidates’ woes have caused many of the party’s top donors to sit out of the primary, leaving resources out-of-play, according to a report by the Wisconsin State Journal. Even Barrett has reportedly expressed concerns about the “quality of Democratic candidates” for governor.

If Wisconsin Democrats think trotting out a three-time loser like Tom Barrett will give them a better chance than any of the lackluster candidates who have already entered the race, they must be out of all other options. Barrett’s potential entry further shows how desperate Democrats are to find a passable candidate to lead their party in November.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports:

“He has more than $600,000 in his campaign account. The competition is weak and frayed. And the job is one he has long coveted.

Yep, Mayor Tom Barrett is thinking about running for governor.

For a fourth time.

Sources confirmed this week that the fourth-term mayor has been sounding out his team of advisers about entering the Democratic primary for governor later this year. If he runs, he would need to submit his nomination papers by June 1.

‘It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that Tom’s thinking about it,’ said one longtime Barrett confidant. ‘And people are talking to Tom.’

But not everyone on the left is thrilled with the possibility of another matchup between Barrett and Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Walker beat the Milwaukee Democrat in 2010 and 2012. Barrett also lost in the Democratic primary in 2002 to then-Attorney General Jim Doyle.

‘His time and chance have come and gone,’ said a Democratic strategist. ‘Let me correct myself: His time and chances have come and gone.’

Barrett’s staff did not respond to requests for an interview with Barrett.

According to several people, all of whom spoke on background about the private conversations, Barrett has expressed concerns about the quality of Democratic candidates.”