Tom Barrett (Wisconsin politician)

{{Short description|American diplomat and politician (born 1953)}}

{{About|the Wisconsin politician|other people with the same name|Thomas Barrett (disambiguation){{!}}Thomas Barrett}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Tom Barrett

|image = Thomas M. Barrett, U.S. Ambassador.jpg

|caption = Official portrait, 2022

|office = United States Ambassador to Luxembourg

| president = Joe Biden

| term_start = February 10, 2022

| term_end = January 17, 2025

| predecessor = Randy Evans

| successor =

|office1 = 44th Mayor of Milwaukee

| term_start1 = April 19, 2004

| term_end1 = December 22, 2021

| predecessor1 = Marvin Pratt (acting)

| successor1 = Cavalier Johnson

|state2 = Wisconsin

|district2 = {{ushr|WI|5|5th}}

| term_start2 = January 3, 1993

| term_end2 = January 3, 2003

| predecessor2 = Jim Moody

| successor2 = Jim Sensenbrenner

|state_senate3 = Wisconsin

|district3 = 5th

| term_start3 = December 13, 1989

| term_end3 = January 3, 1993

| predecessor3 = Mordecai Lee

| successor3 = Peggy Rosenzweig

|office4 = Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly

|constituency4 = 14th Assembly district

| term_start4 = January 7, 1985

| term_end4 = December 13, 1989

| predecessor4 = Thomas Crawford

| successor4 = David Cullen

|constituency5 = 9th Assembly district

| term_start5 = April 5, 1984

| term_end5 = January 7, 1985

| predecessor5 = Thomas W. Meaux

| successor5 = Walter Kunicki

|birth_name = Thomas Mark Barrett

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|12|8}}

|birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Democratic

|spouse = Kris Barrett

|children = 4

|education = University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA, JD)

}}

Thomas Mark Barrett (born December 8, 1953) is an American diplomat and politician who served as the United States ambassador to Luxembourg from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as the 44th mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2004 until 2021.{{cite web|url=http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm|title=Mayor Barrett's Biography|publisher=City of Milwaukee |access-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429150401/http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm |archive-date=April 29, 2013}}

A member of the Democratic Party, he was previously elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly (1984–1989), Wisconsin Senate (1989–1993) and U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2003). On April 6, 2004, Milwaukee elected Tom Barrett as its 40th mayor. He won reelection as mayor in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.{{Cite web|title=Mayor|url=https://www.naem.org/our-community/profiles/tom-barrett|access-date=October 29, 2021|website=NAEM - The National Association for Environmental Management|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://city.milwaukee.gov/mayorbarrett/About-Mayor-Barrett.htm|access-date=October 29, 2021|website=city.milwaukee.gov}} After having unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor of Wisconsin in 2002, Barrett was the party's nominee for governor in both 2010 and 2012, losing both elections to Scott Walker. When he left office as mayor, Barrett was the longest-serving current mayor of one of the 50 largest cities in the United States.

Early life, education and early career

Barrett is the oldest son of Gertrude Virginia (of German and English descent) and Thomas J. Barrett (of Irish descent). His father was a World War II veteran who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross 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-Madison. They married and moved to Milwaukee, where Barrett was born.{{cite news|last=Barrett|first=Tom|title=Needed: A straight shooter and a real record|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/106343118.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|date=October 30, 2010}} He grew up on the city's west side.{{cite web|title=Mayor Barrett's Biography|url=http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm|publisher=City of Milwaukee|access-date=May 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429150401/http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm|archive-date=April 29, 2013}}

Barrett graduated from Marquette University High School;{{cite news|last=Olson|first=Drew|title=Happy B-Day, Hilltoppers: Marquette High turns 150|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/buzz/articles/muhs150.html|newspaper=On Milwaukee|date=July 19, 2007}} he went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1976 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1980. He helped put himself through college and law school by working on the Harley-Davidson assembly line. After law school, Barrett 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 later entered into private practice and served as a bank examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.{{cite news|last=Spicuzza|first=Mary|title=Tom Barrett: Milwaukee mayor wants to end 'civil war'|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/tom-barrett-milwaukee-mayor-wants-to-end-civil-war/article_d18f65d6-913e-11e1-af44-001a4bcf887a.html|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|date=April 29, 2012}}

=State Assembly and Senate=

Barrett made his first run for office at the age of 28 for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1982, but was unsuccessful. He ran again in 1984, this time successfully; he served two terms before making a successful run for the Wisconsin Senate in a December 1989 special election. He continued to serve in the Wisconsin Senate until moving to higher office in 1993.

U.S. House of Representatives

Image:Tom Barrett (Congress).jpg

In 1992, after U.S. Representative Jim Moody announced his intention to run for the United States Senate, Barrett successfully ran to succeed him. Barrett was reelected four more times to represent Wisconsin's 5th congressional district, which at the time included the northern half of the City of Milwaukee and some adjoining suburban municipalities. While in Congress, Barrett served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the Government Reform Committee, Financial Services Committee, Ways and Means Committee and the House Administration Committee.

As a U.S. Representative, Barrett worked with his colleagues to secure aid for flood remediation projects in his district. He also worked to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act and frequently voiced his support of Milwaukee's Midwest Express Airlines.{{cite news|title=Legislation could benefit Midwest Express|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MWSB&p_theme=mwsb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB82C05869451DA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 15, 1998}} Barrett sponsored 37 bills and co-sponsored 1345 bills between January 5, 1993, and October 10, 2002. He was a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin.

Mayor of Milwaukee

=Elections=

In 2004, Barrett ran successfully for mayor of Milwaukee, defeating incumbent Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt, who took office following the resignation of John Norquist. Barrett was reelected in 2008 with 79% of the vote, the largest percentage a mayoral candidate had received in 40 years. In 2012 he was subsequently reelected against challenger Edward McDonald with over 70% of the vote.{{cite news|title=Tom Barrett re-elected as Milwaukee mayor|url=http://host.madison.com/article_b5a34a6e-7e05-11e1-beb7-001a4bcf887a.html|newspaper=Associated Press|date=April 3, 2012}} In 2016, Barrett was reelected with 70% of the vote over conservative 8th district alderman Robert Donovan.{{cite web|title=April 2016 Wisconsin presidential primary and spring election results|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/election-results-april-2016-table-373223501.html|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=April 7, 2016}} In 2020, Barrett was reelected to a fifth term with over 62% of the vote against Lena Taylor.{{cite web |last1=Dirr |first1=Alison |title=Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett easily wins reelection in race against Lena Taylor |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/13/milwaukee-election-results-tom-barrett-defeats-lena-taylor-for-mayor/5133118002/ |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=April 13, 2020 |language=en |date=April 13, 2020}}

=Development=

During Barrett's tenure, the city has seen billions of dollars worth of new downtown developments.{{cite web |title=On the Issues: Tom Barrett |url=https://law.marquette.edu/current-students/issues-tom-barrett |publisher=Marquette University Law School |access-date=October 17, 2021 |date=2019}} Barrett made great use of subsidies and tax incremental financing for developments.{{cite web |title=Too Many City Subsidies? |url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/TooManyCitySubsidies1/ |website=Milwaukee Magazine |access-date=October 17, 2021 |date=June 20, 2007}} Barrett focused heavily on downtown development. In the later period of his mayoralty, the city saw its largest construction boom since the 1960s.{{cite web |last1=Laudolff |first1=Nicole |title='On the Issues' features Mayor Tom Barrett |url=https://marquettewire.org/4018689/news/on-the-issues-features-mayor-tom-barrett/ |website=Marquette Wire |access-date=October 17, 2021 |date=October 8, 2019}} The city's downtown experienced a major construction boom that included several new skyscrapers, such as the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Greg |title=Downtown Milwaukee Transforms in Bustle of Development |url=https://chiefengineer.org/2016/downtown-milwaukee-transforms-in-bustle-of-development/ |website=Chief Engineer |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 17, 2021}}

In 2018, Barrett announced a plan to construct 10,000 units of affordable housing in the city. The plan included an expansion of the use of tax-incremental financing districts.{{cite web |last1=Jannene |first1=Jeramey |title=Eyes on Milwaukee: Barrett Plan Builds 10,000 Affordable Homes |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/02/26/eyes-on-milwaukee-barrett-plan-builds-10000-affordable-homes/ |website=Urban Milwaukee |access-date=October 17, 2021 |language=en |date=February 26, 2018}}

Barrett made an effort to revive struggling areas of the city by encouraging businesses to relocate to areas near lower-income neighborhoods.

=Economic matters=

On February 25, 2009, Barrett gave his State of the City Address. Where he praised the city's past achievements and outlined his plan to increase green jobs, economic development and workforce training in the coming year. 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." Barrett met with Vice President of the United States Joe Biden and testified before the United States House Transportation 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.

=Environment=

{{BLP unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}

File:Tom Barrett 1.jpg

Mayor Barrett has enacted his vision for a greener Milwaukee through the formation of Milwaukee's Green Team the establishment of Milwaukee's Office of Sustainability. The Office of Sustainability promotes cost-effective environmental sustainability practices that meet Milwaukee's urgent environmental, economic and social needs while enhancing long-term economic growth. He is also one of the region's greatest champions for the Great Lakes and previously served as Co-Chair of the [https://glslcities.org Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative], a binational organization of mayors and other local officials that works actively to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

=Response to the COVID-19 pandemic=

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Barrett took a number of actions. On March 23, 2020, citing concerns of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Barrett sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers, State Senate Majority Leader Scott L. Fitzgerald and Speaker of the State House Robin Vos, requesting that the April 7 elections (including the mayoral election, as well as Wisconsin's presidential primaries and others races) be conducted using mail-in ballots only.{{cite web |title=Milwaukee mayor suggests April 7 election be modified to 'vote by mail' |url=https://fox6now.com/2020/03/24/milwaukee-mayor-suggests-april-7-election-be-modified-to-vote-by-mail/ |website=FOX6Now.com |publisher=WITI |access-date=April 1, 2020 |language=en |date=March 24, 2020}} Barrett lent his backing to a proposal authored by the Department of City Development under which business improvement districts would be allowed to spend money on assisting companies and property owners hurt by the pandemic without needing Common Council approval.{{cite web |last1=Silver |first1=Maayan |title=Milwaukee Mayoral Candidate Lena Taylor Says Inequality Is The Main Thing We Need To Change |url=https://www.wuwm.com/post/milwaukee-mayoral-candidate-lena-taylor-says-inequality-main-thing-we-need-change#stream/0 |publisher=WUWM |access-date=April 3, 2020 |language=en |date=March 31, 2020}} Barrett lobbied the United States Army Corps of Engineers to establish a care facility at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.{{cite web |last1=Dirr |first1=Alison |title=Milwaukee officials ask for coronavirus care facility to be built on State Fair grounds |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2020/04/02/coronavirus-milwaukee-care-facility-sought-state-fair-grounds/5116475002/ |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=April 3, 2020 |language=en |date=April 2, 2020}}

=Other matters=

In April 2009, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Mayor Tom Barrett, joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin 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.{{cite news|title=Toward a Stronger Milwaukee Public Schools: Message from Governor Jim Doyle and Mayor Tom Barrett |url=http://www.bayviewcompass.com/PDF/Final%20MPS%20Report.pdf|work=Milwaukee Public Schools|via=The Bay View Compass|date=April 2009}}

In 2013, he was one of nine mayors who established July 15 as Social Media Giving Day, encouraging citizens to support charities via social media.{{cite web|url=http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/hey-put-your-twitter-where-your-mouth-is/|title=Hey, Put Your Twitter Where Your Mouth Is|work=socialmediaexplorer.com|access-date=January 25, 2015}}

Barrett was an advocate for the construction of The Hop streetcar system.{{cite web |last1=Kaiser |first1=Lisa |title=Mayor Tom Barrett on the Streetcar: 'I'm Betting on the Future of This City' |url=https://shepherdexpress.com/news/features/mayor-tom-barrett-streetcar-i-m-betting-future-city/#/questions |website=Shepherd Express |access-date=October 17, 2021 |language=en-us |date=January 13, 2015}}

Mayor Barrett was involved in Milwaukee's successful bid to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention.{{cite web |last1=Benson |first1=Dan |title=DNC convention: Who's gonna pay? |url=https://www.badgerinstitute.org/Diggings/Fall-2019/DNC-convention-Whos-gonna-pay.htm |website=Badger Institute |access-date=October 17, 2021 |date=October 2019}} Before he left the mayor's office, Barrett started the city's bid for the 2024 Republican National Convention.{{cite web |last1=Glauber |first1=Bill |title=Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and VISIT Milwaukee make an early pitch to host the 2024 Republican National Convention |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/27/milwaukee-makes-early-pitch-2024-republican-national-convention-tom-barrett-in-washington-dc/8574929002/ |website=Journal Sentinel |access-date=15 April 2023 |date=October 27, 2021}} Milwaukee's bid was successful.{{cite web |last1=Dabruzzi |first1=Anthony |title=It's official: Milwaukee chosen to host RNC 2024 |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/politics/2022/08/05/it-s-official--milwaukee-chosen-to-host-rnc-2024 |website=Spectrum News 1 |access-date=15 April 2023 |language=en |date=August 5, 2022}}

U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg

On August 25, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Barrett to serve as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg.{{cite web|title=President Biden Announces His Intent to Nominate Two Leaders in U.S. Foreign Policy and Aid|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/25/president-biden-announces-his-intent-to-nominate-two-leaders-in-u-s-foreign-policy-and-aid/|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=The White House|date=August 25, 2021 }}{{cite news |title=Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to be nominated as United States Ambassador to Luxembourg |url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/milwaukee-mayor-tom-barrett-to-be-nominated-as-united-states-ambassador-to-luxembourg |access-date=August 25, 2021 |publisher=TMJ4 |date=August 25, 2021}} Hearings on his nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on November 2, 2021. The committee favorably reported the nomination on December 15, 2021. The United States Senate confirmed him on December 16, 2021, by voice vote.{{cite web |title=PN1056 - Nomination of Thomas Barrett for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/1056?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22barrett%22%2C%22barrett%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1 |website=www.congress.gov |access-date=July 22, 2022 |date=December 16, 2021}} He was sworn in by Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee on December 23, 2021, and arrived in Luxembourg on January 28, 2022.{{Cite web|date=January 28, 2022|title=U.S. Ambassador Thomas M. Barrett|url=https://lu.usembassy.gov/ambassador-thomas-barrett/|access-date=February 11, 2022|website=U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg|language=en-US}} On February 10, 2022, he presented his credentials to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City.{{Cite web|date=February 10, 2022|title=U.S. Ambassador Thomas Barrett Presents Credentials to His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg|url=https://lu.usembassy.gov/u-s-ambassador-thomas-barrett-presents-credentials-to-his-royal-highness-the-grand-duke-of-luxembourg/|access-date=February 11, 2022|website=U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg|language=en-US}}

Gubernatorial bids

=2002=

{{Main|2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

Barrett decided to run for governor in 2002 when he decided to leave Washington D.C. after nearly a decade of service in the U.S. House of Representatives. He did so as a means spend more time in Milwaukee and Wisconsin with his family. Additionally, Wisconsin had lost a seat after the 2000 Census, and the new map resulted in Barrett's district being merged with the 4th district on the other side of Milwaukee, represented by fellow Democrat Jerry Kleczka. While the merged district retained Kleczka's district number, it was geographically and demographically more Barrett's district. However, Barrett announced his candidacy for governor in 2001, effectively handing the merged 4th to Kleczka.{{cite news|url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/NoMoreMr_NiceGuy/|title=No More Mr. Nice Guy|author1=Kurt Chandler|publisher=Milwaukee Magazine|date=February 22, 2010}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Schultze|first1=Steve|last2=Walters|first2=Steven|title=Mayor, county executive races hold little appeal, Barrett says|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TScqAAAAIBAJ&pg=1926%2C2350400|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=September 14, 2002}}

=2010=

{{Main|2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

File:Tom Barrett talks with local dairy farmer.jpg

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, encouraging Barrett to run. On October 26, a website, TomForGovernor.com, was launched after Barbara Lawton, the Lieutenant Governor, backed out. A story in 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.

{{Election box begin no change

|title= 2010 election for Governor of Wisconsin{{cite web |title=Election 2010; Wisconsin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/wisconsin.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 18, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker

|votes = 1,128,941

|percentage = 52.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Barrett

|votes = 1,004,303

|percentage = 46.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

= 2012 recall election =

{{Main|2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election}}

{{see also|2011 Wisconsin protests}}

File:Bill Clinton and Tom Barrett react to applause at a rally in Milwaukee. (7316977998).jpg in May 2012]]

After the contentious collective bargaining dispute,[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/us/wisconsin-vote-is-first-shot-in-wider-union-war.html Recall Election Tests Strategies for November] April 28, 2012 Walker's disapproval ratings varied between 50 and 51%, while his approval ratings varied between 47 and 49% in 2011.{{cite web|first=Patrick |last=Marley |url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/130173963.html |title=New poll reflects divide on bargaining limits |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=September 20, 2011 |access-date=January 21, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/wisconsin-recall-prospects-dimming.html |title=Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming |publisher=Public Policy Polling |date=October 26, 2011 |access-date=January 21, 2012}} 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% of respondents said they would vote for Barrett if the election had been held then, while 45% said they would vote for Walker. Wisconsin law made Walker eligible for recall beginning January 3, 2012, and the Wisconsin Democratic Party had called it a "priority" to remove him from office, although the signatures on the petitions were not verified.

Barrett ended months of speculation by officially announcing on March 30, 2012, that he would enter the race for governor.{{cite web|title=Barrett announces run in Wisconsin recall|date=March 30, 2012 |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2012/03/barrett-announces-run-in-wisconsin-recall-119221|publisher=Politico|access-date=June 3, 2012}} The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Wisconsin Education Association Council, which already supported another Democrat who had announced, had met with Barrett in late December 2011 and tried unsuccessfully to keep him from entering the race.{{cite web|title=Labor group's pro-Falk TV ads vanish|url=http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/labor-groups-profalk-tv-ads-vanish-vm53ljh-148420995.html|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=June 3, 2012}} On May 8, Barrett won the Democratic primary for the recall election.{{cite news|last=Bauer|first=Scott|title=Milwaukee mayor to face Walker in Wis. Recall|url=http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-09/news/31643295_1_collective-bargaining-rights-unions-milwaukee-mayor-tom-barrett|newspaper=Associated Press|date=May 9, 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

A Marquette Law School Poll released on May 30 (mirroring other polling outlets) had Barrett trailing Walker 52% to 45% among likely voters. The results represent a six-point increase for Walker over Barrett since Marquette's earlier poll in late April. The poll's margin of error for likely voters was plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.{{cite web|url=https://law.marquette.edu/poll/2012/05/30/marquette-law-school-poll-finds-walker-leads-barrett-in-wisconsin-recall/|title=Marquette Law School Poll finds Walker leads Barrett in Wisconsin recall|date=May 30, 2012|publisher=Marquette University Law School}} Odysseas, a contributor to the progressive blog Daily Kos, had questioned if the Marquette University Law school poll oversampled "right wingers." For example, a poll by Public Policy Polling conducted May 11–13 gave Republicans a 7% edge over Democrats in terms of likely voters, unlikely given Wisconsin voter registration patterns. However, in retrospect the Marquette poll accurately reflected the Wisconsin electorate's vote.{{cite web|title=Scott Walker leads new Wisconsin recall poll|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/scott-walker-leads-wisconsin-recall-poll/story?id=16372293|work=ABC News |access-date=June 3, 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531143304/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/scott-walker-leads-wisconsin-recall-poll/story?id=16372293#.T7qWNdxYtdc|archive-date=May 31, 2012}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/5/19/1093070/-Marquette-poll-on-Wisconsin-Recall-oversampling-right-wingers|title=Marquette poll on Wisconsin Recall oversampling right wingers?!|publisher=Daily Kos}} However, the same poll showed President Obama holding a lead over Mitt Romney 51–43. On May 21, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel endorsed Scott Walker over Barrett arguing "[there is] no reason to remove Walker from office." The Journal-Sentinel had previously endorsed Walker over Barrett in 2010.{{cite web|title=We recommend Walker; his removal isn't justified|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/we-recommend-walker-his-removal-isnt-justified-l55ecb6-152111305.html|publisher=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel|access-date=June 3, 2012}} Walker defeated Barrett in the June 5 recall election by garnering 53.2%-46.3%,{{cite news|title=Scott Walker Defeats Tom Barrett In Wisconsin Recall Election (UPDATE) |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/scott-walker-recall-election-results_n_1572532.html|work=HuffPost|first=Amanda|last=Terkel|date=June 5, 2012}} a similar margin to the 2010 election. Walker thus became the first governor in US history to survive a recall election.

{{Election box begin

| title = 2012 recall election for Governor of Wisconsin[https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Statewide%20Percentage%20Results_6.5.12%20Recall%20Election_PRE%20SEN21%20RECOUNT.pdf Recall election results] elections.wi.gov

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| candidate = Scott Walker (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,335,585

| percentage = 53.08%

| change = -0.79%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Tom Barrett

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,164,480

| percentage = 46.28%

| change = -0.24%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Hariprasad Trivedi

| party = Independent (United States)

| votes = 14,463

| percentage = 0.57%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| candidate = Write-ins

| party = n/a

| votes = 1,537

| percentage = 0.06%

| change = +0.06%

}}

{{Election box total

| votes = 2,516,065

| percentage = 100.0%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

Personal life

Barrett and his wife still live in Milwaukee's Washington Heights neighborhood, blocks away from his childhood home, where they raised their four, now adult, children Tommy, Annie, Erin and Kate, who all attended Milwaukee German Immersion School.

=2009 Wisconsin State Fair attack=

Barrett was the subject of national news headlines when he was attacked outside the Wisconsin State Fair on August 15, 2009, by a man wielding a pipe. Barrett and some family members were leaving the fair when he responded to a woman's cries for help. They encountered a man and a woman in a heated confrontation. While the mayor called the police, the man, 20-year-old Anthony J. Peters, attacked him with a pipe. Barrett was hospitalized after the incident and again later for reconstructive surgery for his hand. 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. Peters was arrested the next day. Both President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Barrett in the hospital to inquire as to his condition; Obama told Barrett that he went above the call of duty and said he was proud of Barrett's actions. Barrett's injuries included broken teeth, a permanently damaged hand, as well as blows to the head where he was struck with the pipe. Peters pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a further 10 years of supervision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/man-convicted-of-attacking-milwaukees-mayor-with-tire-iron-is-sentenced-to-12-years-in-prison|title = Man convicted of attacking Milwaukee's mayor with tire iron is sentenced to 12 years in prison| website=Fox News |date = March 26, 2015}}

Electoral history

=U.S. House of Representatives=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 |{{center|U.S. House, 5th District of Wisconsin (General Election){{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.aspx|title=Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives|author=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|work=house.gov|access-date=January 25, 2015}}}}
Year

!Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

1992

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |57%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Donalda Ann Hammersmith

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |43%

1994

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |58%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Stephen Hollingshead

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |42%

1996

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |67%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Paul D. Melotik

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |33%

1998

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |73%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Jack Melvin

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |27%

2000

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |72%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Johnathan Smith

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |28%

=Mayor of Milwaukee=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 style="text-align:center;" |Milwaukee Mayoral Election (General Election)
Year

!Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

2004

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |54%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Marvin Pratt

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |46%

2008

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |79%

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Andrew Shaw

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent

|{{party shading/Independent}} |20%

2012

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |70%

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Edward C. McDonald

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent

|{{party shading/Independent}} |29%

2016

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |70%

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Robert Donovan

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |30%

2020

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett (inc.)

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |63%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Lena Taylor

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |37%

=Gubernatorial bids=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 style="text-align:center;" |2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial election (Democratic primary)
Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jim Doyle

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |38%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |34%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Kathleen Falk

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |27%

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 |{{center|2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election (Democratic primary){{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/2010/maps/#/Governor/2010/WI|title=Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary Results |work=Politico|date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=September 14, 2010}}}}
Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |91%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tim John

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |10%

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 style="text-align:center;" |2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election (general election)
Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

{{party shading/Republican}} |Scott Walker

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |52%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |47%

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 style="text-align:center;" |2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election (Democratic primary)
Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |58%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Kathleen Falk

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |34%

class="wikitable" style="font-size:88%"
colspan=10 style="text-align:center;" |2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election (general election)
Winning candidate

!Party

!Pct

!Opponent

!Party

!Pct

{{party shading/Republican}} |Scott Walker (inc.)

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |53%

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Tom Barrett

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |46%

See also

References

{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=

{{cite web|url=http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091104-barrett-governor,0,472583.story |title=Wisconsin Governor Race: 15-year-old Sheboygan Democrat gathers online support for possible Barrett campaign |work=WITI |publisher=Fox6now.com |date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=July 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126072816/http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091104-barrett-governor,0,472583.story |archive-date=November 26, 2009 }}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=goto&id=WI.WIBlueBk1985&isize=M&submit=Go+to+page&page=31|title=Members of State Legislature|page=31|work=State of Wisconsin 1985-1986 blue book: Biographies and pictures|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=goto&id=WI.WIBlueBk1991&isize=M&submit=Go+to+page&page=30|title=Members of the State Legislature|work=State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 blue book: Biographies and photos|page=30|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/11/gaspard-barrett-meet-amid-2010-buzz-029174|title=Gaspard, Barrett meet amid 2010 buzz|author=Alexander Burns and Carol E. Lee|work=Politico|date=November 15, 2009|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/16/milwaukee.mayor.attacked/index.html|author=Chuck Johnston|work=CNN|title=Arrest made in attack on Milwaukee mayor|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.house.gov/barrett/atwork.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20021212205829/http://www.house.gov/barrett/atwork.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2002 |title=Congressman Tom Barrett - At Work for Wisconsin |publisher=Webarchives.loc.gov |access-date=July 12, 2010 }}

{{cite news|author=Lee Bergquist|title=Doyle won't seek re-election in 2010|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=August 15, 2009|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/53302852.html|access-date=March 2, 2011|display-authors=etal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013122607/http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/53302852.html|archive-date=October 13, 2012}}

{{cite news|author=James B. Nelson|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=znoWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6404,497448|title=Barrett easily defeats Hammersmith in 5th|work=Milwaukee Sentinel|date=November 4, 1992|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_0a1b952a-fb26-11de-88f5-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Barrett's gubernatorial campaign shows financial muscle despite late start|author=Scott Anderson|work=Racine Journal Times|publisher=Wisconsin State Journal|date=January 6, 2010|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|author=Lawrence Kestenbaum|url=http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/barreiro-barrett.html|title=Index to Politicians: Barre to Barrett|publisher=The Political Graveyard|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|author=Lee Bergquist|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/70123762.html|title=Barrett says he's healed, ready to run for governor|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 14, 2009|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://archives.energycommerce.house.gov/membios/106fullsubmship.shtml |title=The House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Welcome |publisher=Archives.energycommerce.house.gov |access-date=July 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708212917/http://archives.energycommerce.house.gov/membios/106fullsubmship.shtml |archive-date=July 8, 2010 }}

{{cite web|url=http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm|title=Mayor Barrett's Biography|publisher=City of Milwaukee, Office of the Mayor|access-date=March 2, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429150401/http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm|archive-date=April 29, 2013}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.wisn.com/politics/20550714/detail.html |title=New Group Supports Tom Barrett For Governor |work=WISN Milwaukee |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320022253/http://www.wisn.com/politics/20550714/detail.html |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/896/000056728/|title=Tom Barrett|publisher=NNDB|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/BarrettWalkerRematchResults.pdf |title=Wisconsin Rematch Survey Results February 24–27 |publisher=Public Policy Polling |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510113057/http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/BarrettWalkerRematchResults.pdf |archive-date=May 10, 2011 }}

{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/router.asp?docid=306 |title=Mayor Barrett Delivers 2011 State of the City Address |work=Office of Mayor Tom Barrett |date=February 21, 2011 |publisher=City of Milwaukee |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017001646/http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/router.asp?docid=306 |archive-date=October 17, 2010 }}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/53477862.html|title=Barrett lost teeth in battle with suspect|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=August 17, 2009|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite news|author=David E. Umhoefer|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N64cAAAAIBAJ&pg=3962,5478690|title=Barrett wins easily in State Senate race|work=Milwaukee Journal|date=December 13, 1989|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/poll-wisconsin-voters-woudlnt-elect-gov-walker-in-do-over.php?ref=fpa|title=Poll: Wisconsin Voters Wouldn't Elect Gov. Walker In Do-Over|author=Jon Terbush|work=TPMDC|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=March 2, 2011}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39977562/ns/local_news-milwaukee_wi/|title=Governor's Race: Walker Beats Barrett|accessdate=May 2, 2023}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

}}