Mary Burke and state Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison, the two most well-known Democrats running for governor, claim they’re not paying attention to each others’ campaigns.
Burke, the candidate backed by state Democratic party officials, appeared yesterday at a forum in Milwaukee, organized by the Rotary Club and Milwaukee Press Club. Burke was asked about Hulsey recently getting into the primary.
“When I got into this race, I have been focused from day one on November fourth,” Burke said. “I have a game plan on how I’m going to win this election, and I’m going to fulfill and follow that game plan, regardless.”
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Afterwards, a group of reporters tried to ask Burke about Brett Hulsey’s campaign.
“I don’t think about it at all,” she said. “I’m focused on my campaign and executing the game plan that I have for winning in November.”
Burke gave the same answer when asked if she worries about Hulsey attracting progressive voters, since Burke yesterday called herself a fiscal conservative.
Hulsey says he shook hands with the public after a Latino event a few blocks away from Burke’s venue, then made two other stops in Milwaukee and one in Waukesha. Hulsey claims not to mind Burke declining to engage with him.
“I go where I need to go and talk to people I need to talk to,” Hulsey said. “I don’t pay any attention to her campaign.”
Still to be announced is whether Burke will debate Hulsey or the other presumed long shot Democratic candidates for governor, Hari Trivedi and Marcia Perkins.
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