- Tom Barrett (politician)
-
Tom Barrett Barrett in 2010 38th Mayor of Milwaukee Incumbent Assumed office
April 15, 2004Preceded by Marvin Pratt Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 5th districtIn office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003Preceded by Jim Moody Succeeded by Jim Sensenbrenner Member of the Wisconsin State Senate from the 5th Senate District In office
December 13, 1989[1] – January 3, 1993Preceded by Mordecai Lee Succeeded by Peggy Rosenzweig Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 14th Assembly District districtIn office
March 5, 1984 – December 13, 1989Preceded by Thomas Crawford Succeeded by David Cullen Personal details Born December 8, 1953
Milwaukee, WisconsinPolitical party Democratic Spouse(s) Kris Barrett; four children Alma mater University of Wisconsin–Madison (B.A. 1976)
University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D. 1980)Religion Roman Catholic 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.[2] 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.
Contents
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 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 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.
Political career
State Assembly and Senate
Barrett made his first run for office at age 28 for the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1982, but was unsuccessful. He ran again 1984, this time successfully,[3] and served two terms before making a successful run for the Wisconsin State Senate in a December 1989 special election.[1][4] He continued to serve in the State Senate until moving to higher office in 1993.[5]
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1992, when Congressman Jim Moody 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.[6]
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.[citation needed]
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.[7]
Barrett sponsored 37 bills between January 5, 1993 and October 10, 2002. He co-sponsored 1345 bills during the same time period.[8] He served from the 103rd Congress to the 107th. Barrett was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin in 2000.[9]
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 Kleczka'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.[citation needed]
Mayor of Milwaukee
In 2004, then out of office, Barrett ran successfully for Mayor of Milwaukee, defeating the city's incumbent mayor, Marvin Pratt, 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.[10]
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 jobs, 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.”[11]
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.[11]
2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Main article: Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2010In 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.[12] On August 25, a group named "Wisconsin for Tom Barrett" formed, encouraged Barrett to run for governor.[13] On October 26, a website, TomForGovernor.com, was launched after Barbara Lawton, the lieutenant governor, backed out of the 2010 governor's race.[14] 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.[15]
Barrett ended months of speculation by officially announcing on November 15, 2009, that he would enter the race for governor.[2] 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.[16] Barrett ultimately lost the election to Scott Walker, who won 52 percent of the vote.[17]
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.[18][19]
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 Fair 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.[20] The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Anthony J. Peters, was arrested the next day.[20] 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.[21]
Electoral history
Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2010 Party Candidate Votes Percentage Republican Scott Walker 1,128,941 52% Democratic Tom Barrett 1,004,303 47% Republican gain from Democratic 2008 election for Mayor (Milwaukee) Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Tom Barrett - incumbent ' 79% Independent Andrew Shaw 21% Democratic hold 2004 election for Mayor (Milwaukee) Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Tom Barrett ' 54% Democratic Marvin Pratt 46% Democratic hold 2002 Race for Governor — Democratic Primary Party Candidate Votes Percentage Democratic Jim Doyle ' 38% Democratic Tom Barrett 34% Democratic Kathleen Falk 27% - 1993-2003 U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin's 5th district
- 1989-1993 Wisconsin State Senate
- 1984-1989 Wisconsin General Assembly
See also
- Fresh Coast - term coined by Tom Barrett.
References
- ^ a b David E. Umhoefer (December 13, 1989). "Barrett wins easily in State Senate race". Milwaukee Journal. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=N64cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_SsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3962,5478690. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ a b Lee Bergquist (November 14, 2009). "Barrett says he's healed, ready to run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/70123762.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Members of State Legislature". State of Wisconsin 1985-1986 blue book: Biographies and pictures. p. 31. http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=goto&id=WI.WIBlueBk1985&isize=M&submit=Go+to+page&page=31. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Members of the State Legislature". State of Wisconsin 1991-1992 blue book: Biographies and photos. p. 30. http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=goto&id=WI.WIBlueBk1991&isize=M&submit=Go+to+page&page=30. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ James B. Nelson (November 4, 1992). "Barrett easily defeats Hammersmith in 5th". Milwaukee Sentinel. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=znoWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8BIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6404,497448. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Tom Barrett". NNDB. http://www.nndb.com/people/896/000056728. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "The House Committee on Energy and Commerce: Welcome". Archives.energycommerce.house.gov. http://archives.energycommerce.house.gov/membios/106fullsubmship.shtml. Retrieved 2010-07-12.[dead link]
- ^ "Congressman Tom Barrett - At Work for Wisconsin". Webarchives.loc.gov. http://webarchives.loc.gov/collections/lcwa0002/20021212205829/http://www.house.gov/barrett/atwork.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-12.[dead link]
- ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Index to Politicians: Barre to Barrett". The Political Graveyard. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/barreiro-barrett.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Mayor Barrett's Biography". city of Milwaukee, Office of the Mayor. http://city.milwaukee.gov/Biography331.htm. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ a b "Mayor Barrett Delivers 2011 State of the City Address". Office of Mayor Tom Barrett. City of Milwaukee. February 21, 2011. http://www.ci.mil.wi.us/router.asp?docid=306. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Lee Bergquist, et al. (August 15, 2009). "Doyle won't seek re-election in 2010". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/53302852.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "New Group Supports Tom Barrett For Governor". WISN Milwaukee. August 25, 2009. http://www.wisn.com/politics/20550714/detail.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Wisconsin Governor Race: 15-year-old Sheboygan Democrat gathers online support for possible Barrett campaign". WITI. Fox6now.com. November 4, 2009. http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-091104-barrett-governor,0,472583.story. Retrieved 2010-07-12.[dead link]
- ^ Alexander Burns and Carol E. Lee (November 15, 2009). "Gaspard, Barrett meet amid 2010 buzz". Politico. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29174.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Scott Anderson (2010-01-06). "Barrett's gubernatorial campaign shows financial muscle despite late start". Racine Journal Times. Wisconsin State Journal. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt_and_politics/article_0a1b952a-fb26-11de-88f5-001cc4c002e0.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Governor's Race: Walker Beats Barrett[dead link]
- ^ "Wisconsin Rematch Survey Results February 24–27". Public Policy Polling. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/BarrettWalkerRematchResults.pdf. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Jon Terbush (February 28, 2011). "Poll: Wisconsin Voters Wouldn't Elect Gov. Walker In Do-Over". TPMDC. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/poll-wisconsin-voters-woudlnt-elect-gov-walker-in-do-over.php?ref=fpa. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ a b Chuck Johnston. "Arrest made in attack on Milwaukee mayor". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/16/milwaukee.mayor.attacked/index.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ "Barrett lost teeth in battle with suspect". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. August 17, 2009. http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/53477862.html. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
External links
- Mayor Barrett's Biography official city government site
- Tom Barrett for Mayor official campaign site
- Biography, interest group ratings, public statements, vetoes and campaign finances at Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions at FollowTheMoney.org
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
United States House of Representatives Preceded by
Jim MoodyMember of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 5th congressional district
1993–2003Succeeded by
Jim SensenbrennerPolitical offices Preceded by
Marvin PrattMayor of Milwaukee
2004–presentSucceeded by
IncumbentMayors of the City of Milwaukee Juneau · Wells · Kilbourn · Upham · Walker · Crocker · Walker · Kilbourn · Cross · Prentiss · Page · Lynde · Brown · Chase · O'Neill · Kirby · Tallmadge · O'Neill · Phillips · Ludington · Hecker · Ludington · Butler · Black · Brown · Stowell · Wallber · Brown · Peck · Somers · Hase · Koch · Rauschenberger · Rose · Seidel · Bading · Hoan · C. Zeidler · Bohn · F. Zeidler · Maier · Norquist · Pratt · BarrettMayors of cities with populations exceeding 100,000 in Wisconsin - Paul Soglin (D)
(Madison)
- Jim Schmitt (R)
(Green Bay)
Other states: AL • AK • AZ • AR • CA • CO • CT • DE • FL • GA • HI • ID • IL • IN • IA • KS • KY • LA • ME • MD • MA • MI • MN • MS • MO • MT • NE • NV • NH • NJ • NM • NY • NC • ND • OH • OK • OR • PA • RI • SC • SD • TN • TX • UT • VT • VA • WA • WV • WI • WYRepresentatives to the 103rd–107th United States Congresses from Wisconsin (ordered by seniority) 103rd Senate: H. Kohl | R. Feingold House: D. Obey | T. Roth | J. Sensenbrenner | T. Petri | S. Gunderson | J. Kleczka | S. Klug | T. Barrett | P. Barca 104th Senate: H. Kohl | R. Feingold House: D. Obey | T. Roth | J. Sensenbrenner | T. Petri | S. Gunderson | J. Kleczka | S. Klug | T. Barrett | M. Neumann 105th Senate: H. Kohl | R. Feingold House: D. Obey | J. Sensenbrenner | T. Petri | J. Kleczka | S. Klug | T. Barrett | M. Neumann | J. W. Johnson | R. Kind 106th Senate: H. Kohl | R. Feingold House: D. Obey | J. Sensenbrenner | T. Petri | J. Kleczka | T. Barrett | R. Kind | T. Baldwin | M. Green | P. Ryan 107th Senate: H. Kohl | R. Feingold House: D. Obey | J. Sensenbrenner | T. Petri | J. Kleczka | T. Barrett | R. Kind | T. Baldwin | M. Green | P. Ryan Categories:- 1953 births
- Living people
- Mayors of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin
- Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- University of Wisconsin Law School alumni
- University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni
- Wisconsin Democrats
- Wisconsin lawyers
- Wisconsin State Senators
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