Burke Continues To Campaign In Milwaukee Area

Burke Speaks At 2 Separate Forums And Addresses Unemployment, Education

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Mary Burke continued to campaign for votes in Milwaukee’s African-American neighborhoods on Thursday night.

Both Burke and Republican incumbent Scott Walker were invited to speak at the annual public meeting of MICAH, the Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope. Only Burke showed up to the event, where hundreds of people gave her a warm welcome.

Burke told members of the interfaith group that Wisconsin isn’t doing enough of what she calls “good works.”

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“And unfortunately, people are losing faith, and we have so much potential to do so much good,” she said.

Burke said Wisconsin cannot thrive unless Milwaukee does. She said the state has to bring people together to take on challenges in minority neighborhoods such as high unemployment, inadequate education and lack of safety.

Burke also attended a smaller forum sponsored by the group Pastors United and the League of Women Voters, which was also skipped by Scott Walker. There, Burke said jobs in the inner city must be a priority.

“The current situation, what we have seen for the last decade, is not acceptable,” she said. “We have to make sure that we can attract new businesses to this area, but most importantly, we have to have new businesses starting up.”

Among those in the audience at the second event was Margaret Stone. Earlier this week, at President Barack Obama’s rally for Mary Burke, Stone had said she’s glad Democrats are trying to boost turnout in Milwaukee, but worries about whether enough younger people will vote.

“The young people, (age) 18 and in their 20s, it may not resonate so much with them. But it is a crucial election,” she said.

Both Burke and Scott Walker will visit many sites over the next four days to tell anyone who will listen that a lot is riding on Tuesday’s result.