Potential Burke Candidacy for Governor Has Other Democrats Thinking Twice

Burke has not talked publicly about running for governor, but it surfaced last month that someone was conducting polling on her behalf.State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, who ran for governor in last year’s recall, says she’s seriously considering running again in 2014.But Vinehout says she might not run if Burke does.

Vinehout says Burke reached out to talk to her.She says Burke’s ability to potentially self-finance a campaign would be a factor.

Mahlon Mitchell, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor during the recall, said he had not ruled out a run for governor.But Mitchell also says a Burke candidacy would affect his decision.

“My personal opinion is I don’t think we need a heavily-contested primary on the Democratic side,” Mitchell says. “I think that takes away from the true goal and that is unseating Governor Scott Walker.”

Several other Democrats are said to be considering running for governor, though so far, no one has made it official.