Tom Barrett (politician)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Mark "Tom" Barrett (born December 8, 1953) is the Democratic
Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, serving since 2004. He ran for Governor of Wisconsin
in November 2010, losing by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent to Republican
Scott Walker
. Previously, Barrett served in the United States House of Representatives
representing Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
from 1993 to 2003. He began his political career serving first in the Wisconsin State Assembly
beginning in 1984, then in the Wisconsin State Senate
from 1989 to 1993.
in 1944 for 30 missions over Germany as a navigator. His mother was a war widow when she met his father at the University of Wisconsin in Madison
. They married and moved to Milwaukee where Barrett was born. He grew up on the city's west side.
Barrett graduated from Marquette University High School
, earned his B.A.
in Economics
from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in 1976 and his J.D.
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
in 1980. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He served as a law clerk for Judge Robert W. Warren
on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
from 1980 to 1982. He was a Private practice
lawyer
and served as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
.
in 1982, but was unsuccessful. He ran again 1984, this time successfully, and served two terms before making a successful run for the Wisconsin State Senate
in a December 1989 special election. He continued to serve in the State Senate until moving to higher office in 1993.
vacated his congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate
, Barrett successfully ran to succeed Moody. He was reelected to four more terms representing Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
.
As a Congressman he worked with his colleagues in the United States Congress
to get aid for flood remediation projects in his district. In Congress, he also worked to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act
, and he frequently voiced in support of Milwaukee's Midwest Express Airlines.
Barrett was on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and served on its Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. He was also a member of the following committees in the United States Congress
; House Government Reform, House Financial Services, House Ways and Means, House Education and the Workforce, and House Administration.
Barrett sponsored 37 bills between January 5, 1993 and October 10, 2002. He co-sponsored 1345 bills during the same time period. He served from the 103rd Congress
to the 107th
. Barrett was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
from Wisconsin
in 2000.
's 4th district
. Rather than run in a primary against his colleague, Barrett decided to run for governor in 2002. In a heated Democratic primary, Barrett came in a close second to then-Attorney General Jim Doyle
, who went on to win the general election, with Dane County Executive
Kathleen Falk
coming in third.
, who had taken office following the resignation of John Norquist
, with 54% of the vote. He was reelected in 2008 with 79% of the vote, the largest percentage a Mayoral candidate had received in 40 years.
He is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, a bipartisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino
and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
.
On February 25, 2009, Barrett gave his State of the City Address
. He praised the city's past achievements and outlined his plan to increase green job
s, economic development and workforce training in the coming year in his State of the City address this morning. Barrett called on the citizens of Milwaukee to remain optimistic during the international economic downturn; “I am fully confident that Milwaukee will withstand the current economic downturn,” Barrett said. “We will make smart investments, continue to build strong partnerships, provide training to our workforce and improve our public schools. We will emerge as a stronger and more competitive city.”
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle
and Mayor Tom Barrett, joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster
, announced a broad effort improve the Milwaukee Public Schools
(MPS). The announcement followed the completion of a comprehensive independent review of the finances and non-instructional operations of MPS commissioned by the Governor and Mayor in October 2008.
Barrett met with Vice President of the United States
Joe Biden
and testified before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment when he traveled to Washington, D.C.
on March 18, 2009. Barrett attended a White House
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference hosted by Biden. The conference addressed questions from state, county and local government officials on how to effectively oversee the spending of Recovery Act funds.
, the lieutenant governor, backed out of the 2010 governor's race. A story in The Politico
reported that President Barack Obama
's political director Patrick Gaspard
met with Barrett on November 4, 2009, amid speculation that the White House
wanted him to run for governor of Wisconsin.
Barrett ended months of speculation by officially announcing on November 15, 2009, that he would enter the race for governor. Barrett's campaign raised more than $750,000 in its first seven weeks. In an e-mail thanking supporters, Barrett said his campaign had more than $1.5 million in the bank, a significant start given that he did not declare candidacy for the Democratic primary until November 15, 2009. Barrett ultimately lost the election to Scott Walker
, who won 52 percent of the vote.
In a survey of 768 Wisconsin voters conducted between February 24–27, 2011, during the 2011 Wisconsin budget protests, a poll by Public Policy Polling
found that 52 percent of respondents said they would vote for Barrett if the election had been held then, while 45 percent said they would vote for Walker.
on August 15, 2009, by a man wielding a tire iron
. He and his family were leaving the fair when they responded to a woman's cries for help. While Barrett was dialing 911, a young man charged and physically assaulted Barrett with the tire iron. Governor Jim Doyle
visited Barrett in the hospital the next morning and said he "found him to be in good spirits and looking good considering what happened... The mayor's heroic actions clearly saved a woman and others from harm", Doyle said in a statement. The mayor was briefly hospitalized. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Anthony J. Peters, was arrested the next day. Both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Barrett in the hospital to check on his condition, and Obama told Barrett that he went above the call of duty and said he was proud of Barrett's actions. Barrett suffered injuries to the head, broken teeth, and a severely fractured hand which is now permanently damaged.
1989-1993 Wisconsin State Senate
1984-1989 Wisconsin General Assembly
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, serving since 2004. He ran for Governor of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
in November 2010, losing by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent to Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Scott Walker
Scott Walker (politician)
Scott Kevin Walker is an American Republican politician who began serving as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011, after defeating Democratic candidate Tom Barrett, 52 percent to 47 percent in the November 2010 general election...
. Previously, Barrett served in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
representing Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
Wisconsin's 5th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin, covering all of Ozaukee and Washington counties, almost all of Waukesha County and portions of Milwaukee and Jefferson counties. The district includes the northern...
from 1993 to 2003. He began his political career serving first in the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
beginning in 1984, then in the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
from 1989 to 1993.
Early life, education, and early career
Barrett was the oldest son of Thomas J. and Gertrude V. Barrett. His father was a World War II veteran who was presented the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
in 1944 for 30 missions over Germany as a navigator. His mother was a war widow when she met his father at the University of Wisconsin in Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. They married and moved to Milwaukee where Barrett was born. He grew up on the city's west side.
Barrett graduated from Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School
Marquette University High School is a private, all-male, Jesuit, Roman Catholic school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is a member of both the National Catholic Educational Association and the Jesuit...
, earned his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1976 and his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
in 1980. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He served as a law clerk for Judge Robert W. Warren
Robert W. Warren
Robert Willis Warren was a United States federal judge and politician from Wisconsin.Warren was born in Raton, New Mexico. He received a B.A. from Macalester College in 1950, an M.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1951, and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1956...
on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin serves the residents of twenty-eight counties from its two courthouses...
from 1980 to 1982. He was a Private practice
Private practice
Private practice may refer to:*Practice of law*Medical practice*Private Practice , released in 1978 by Dr. Feelgood*Private Practice , a U.S.-produced medical drama...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and served as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is a United States government corporation created by the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933. It provides deposit insurance, which guarantees the safety of deposits in member banks, currently up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. , the FDIC insures deposits at...
.
State Assembly and Senate
Barrett made his first run for office at age 28 for the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 1982, but was unsuccessful. He ran again 1984, this time successfully, and served two terms before making a successful run for the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
in a December 1989 special election. He continued to serve in the State Senate until moving to higher office in 1993.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1992, when Congressman Jim MoodyJim Moody
James Powers "Jim" Moody is an American economist, and former member of the U.S. Congress. Moody represented Milwaukee, Wisconsin in Congress from 1983 to 1993.- Background :...
vacated his congressional seat to run for the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, Barrett successfully ran to succeed Moody. He was reelected to four more terms representing Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
Wisconsin's 5th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin, covering all of Ozaukee and Washington counties, almost all of Waukesha County and portions of Milwaukee and Jefferson counties. The district includes the northern...
.
As a Congressman he worked with his colleagues in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to get aid for flood remediation projects in his district. In Congress, he also worked to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act is a United States federal law designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to help meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods...
, and he frequently voiced in support of Milwaukee's Midwest Express Airlines.
Barrett was on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and served on its Subcommittee on Health and the Environment. He was also a member of the following committees in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
; House Government Reform, House Financial Services, House Ways and Means, House Education and the Workforce, and House Administration.
Barrett sponsored 37 bills between January 5, 1993 and October 10, 2002. He co-sponsored 1345 bills during the same time period. He served from the 103rd Congress
103rd United States Congress
- House of Representatives :- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Dan Quayle , until January 20, 1993** Al Gore , from January 20, 1993* President pro tempore: Robert Byrd - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader: George Mitchell...
to the 107th
107th United States Congress
The One Hundred Seventh United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 2001 to January 3, 2003, during the final...
. Barrett was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
in 2000.
2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
After the 2000 census determined that Wisconsin would lose a congressional seat, redistricting combined Barrett's district with fellow Democrat Jerry KleczkaJerry Kleczka
Gerald Daniel "Jerry" Kleczka , an American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1984 to 2005, representing . The district includes the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was born....
's 4th district
Wisconsin's 4th congressional district
Wisconsin's 4th congressional district is a congressional district of the United States House of Representatives in Wisconsin, encompassing a part of Milwaukee County and including all of the city of Milwaukee and its working-class suburbs of Cudahy, St. Francis, South Milwaukee, West Milwaukee,...
. Rather than run in a primary against his colleague, Barrett decided to run for governor in 2002. In a heated Democratic primary, Barrett came in a close second to then-Attorney General Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
, who went on to win the general election, with Dane County Executive
Dane County, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 426,526 people, 173,484 households, and 100,794 families residing in the county. The population density was 355 people per square mile . There were 180,398 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
Kathleen Falk
Kathleen Falk
Kathleen Falk is an American politician who was the County Executive of Dane County, Wisconsin, serving from 1997 until 2011. In 2006, she was the Democratic Party nominee for the office of Attorney General of Wisconsin. She was an Assistant Attorney General and Public Intervenor in the Wisconsin...
coming in third.
Mayor of Milwaukee
In 2004, then out of office, Barrett ran successfully for Mayor of Milwaukee, defeating the city's incumbent mayor, Marvin PrattMarvin Pratt
Marvin E. Pratt is an American politician who served as acting mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2004.-Early life:...
, who had taken office following the resignation of John Norquist
John Norquist
John Olof Norquist is an American politician and 37th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as mayor from 1988 until he left office in 2004 to lead the Congress for the New Urbanism.-Personal background:...
, with 54% of the vote. He was reelected in 2008 with 79% of the vote, the largest percentage a Mayoral candidate had received in 40 years.
He is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, a bipartisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino
Thomas Menino
Thomas Michael "Tom" Menino is the mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, United States and the city's first Italian-American mayor...
and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
.
On February 25, 2009, Barrett gave his State of the City Address
State of the City Address
The State of the City Address - or State of the City Speech - is a speech customarily given once each year by the mayors of many cities in the United States and Canada. Other international cities have also adopted the tradition; for example, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg has delivered a State...
. He praised the city's past achievements and outlined his plan to increase green job
Green job
A green job, also called a green-collar job is, according to the United Nations Environment Program, "work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development , administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality...
s, economic development and workforce training in the coming year in his State of the City address this morning. Barrett called on the citizens of Milwaukee to remain optimistic during the international economic downturn; “I am fully confident that Milwaukee will withstand the current economic downturn,” Barrett said. “We will make smart investments, continue to build strong partnerships, provide training to our workforce and improve our public schools. We will emerge as a stronger and more competitive city.”
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
and Mayor Tom Barrett, joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster
Elizabeth Burmaster
Elizabeth Burmaster is an American educator and was the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 2001-2009.Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Burmaster received her bachelors and masters degrees from University of Wisconsin–Madison and was in public school administration. She has honorary...
, announced a broad effort improve the Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools is the largest school district in Wisconsin. As of 2007, it had an enrollment of 87,360 students, and as of 2006 employed 6,100 full-time and substitute teachers in 223 schools. The Milwaukee Public Schools system is the 33rd largest in the United States by enrollment...
(MPS). The announcement followed the completion of a comprehensive independent review of the finances and non-instructional operations of MPS commissioned by the Governor and Mayor in October 2008.
Barrett met with Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
and testified before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment when he traveled to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on March 18, 2009. Barrett attended a White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference hosted by Biden. The conference addressed questions from state, county and local government officials on how to effectively oversee the spending of Recovery Act funds.
2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
In August 2009, Doyle announced his decision to not seek reelection to a third term in 2010 leading many to believe Barrett would run for governor. On August 25, a group named "Wisconsin for Tom Barrett" formed, encouraged Barrett to run for governor. On October 26, a website, TomForGovernor.com, was launched after Barbara LawtonBarbara Lawton
Barbara Lawton is an American politician from Green Bay, Wisconsin and member of the Democratic Party. She was the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. She became the first woman elected to the position in 2002, as the running mate of former Democratic Governor Jim Doyle...
, the lieutenant governor, backed out of the 2010 governor's race. A story in The Politico
The Politico
The Politico is an American political journalism organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that distributes its content via television, the Internet, newspaper, and radio. Its coverage of Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the Presidency...
reported that President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's political director Patrick Gaspard
Patrick Gaspard
Patrick Gaspard is the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee, and served as Director of the Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration from January 2009 to 2011...
met with Barrett on November 4, 2009, amid speculation that the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
wanted him to run for governor of Wisconsin.
Barrett ended months of speculation by officially announcing on November 15, 2009, that he would enter the race for governor. Barrett's campaign raised more than $750,000 in its first seven weeks. In an e-mail thanking supporters, Barrett said his campaign had more than $1.5 million in the bank, a significant start given that he did not declare candidacy for the Democratic primary until November 15, 2009. Barrett ultimately lost the election to Scott Walker
Scott Walker (politician)
Scott Kevin Walker is an American Republican politician who began serving as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011, after defeating Democratic candidate Tom Barrett, 52 percent to 47 percent in the November 2010 general election...
, who won 52 percent of the vote.
In a survey of 768 Wisconsin voters conducted between February 24–27, 2011, during the 2011 Wisconsin budget protests, a poll by Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling
Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer...
found that 52 percent of respondents said they would vote for Barrett if the election had been held then, while 45 percent said they would vote for Walker.
Personal life
Barrett and his wife live in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood with their four children.Physical assault on Barrett
Barrett was the subject of national news headlines when he was attacked outside the Wisconsin State FairWisconsin State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual event held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. The modern fair takes place in August and lasts 11 days.-History:...
on August 15, 2009, by a man wielding a tire iron
Lug wrench
Lug wrench is the U.S. name for a type of socket wrench used to turn lug nuts on automobile wheels. In the UK it is commonly known as a wheel brace or wheel wrench....
. He and his family were leaving the fair when they responded to a woman's cries for help. While Barrett was dialing 911, a young man charged and physically assaulted Barrett with the tire iron. Governor Jim Doyle
Jim Doyle
James Edward "Jim" Doyle is a Wisconsin politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the 44th Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 6, 2003 to January 3, 2011. He defeated incumbent Governor Scott McCallum by a margin of 45 percent to 41 percent; the Libertarian Party candidate Ed...
visited Barrett in the hospital the next morning and said he "found him to be in good spirits and looking good considering what happened... The mayor's heroic actions clearly saved a woman and others from harm", Doyle said in a statement. The mayor was briefly hospitalized. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Anthony J. Peters, was arrested the next day. Both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Barrett in the hospital to check on his condition, and Obama told Barrett that he went above the call of duty and said he was proud of Barrett's actions. Barrett suffered injuries to the head, broken teeth, and a severely fractured hand which is now permanently damaged.
Electoral history
1993-2003 U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin's 5th district1989-1993 Wisconsin State Senate
1984-1989 Wisconsin General Assembly
External links
- Mayor Barrett's Biography official city government site
- Tom Barrett for Mayor official campaign site