Last time we checked in with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, he was mulling running for Wisconsin governor—despite the fact that he had failed to win the office not once, not twice, but three times in the past (and the fact that two of those losses were to Scott Walker). “Not everyone on the left is thrilled with the possibility of another matchup between Barrett and Republican Gov. Scott Walker,” said the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, before noting that water was wet.
Tuesday morning, however, Barrett quashed any further governor talk once and for all. Thank god. Here’s his message, posted to Facebook:
Thank you to the many people who have encouraged me to run for governor in 2018. I agree that now is the time for change in Madison and that starts with electing a new governor, a governor who puts Wisconsin first and not his national ambitions. But the fact is I love my job as mayor and that’s where my heart is.
I hope to serve as mayor for many years to come, to continue to advance Milwaukee forward. I’ve still got the fire in the belly, and I wake up every day ready to roll up my sleeves to get to work.
Milwaukee has tremendous momentum despite efforts by Governor Walker and his allies to harm the city. Now is the time for change in Madison. Now is the time for a new governor. I’ll fight shoulder to shoulder with you to make that happen. I’ve got your back, and I know you’ve got mine.
Here’s footage of someone having Barrett’s back, back when he conceded in 2012: