By Jason Stein
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MADISON, Wis. — Firefighter union head Mahlon Mitchell announced his run for governor Monday, joining a field of Democrats that is beginning to look nearly as crowded as last year’s GOP presidential primary.
Mitchell, the president of Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, is kicking off his campaign with a spin through Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madison.
It’s the second statewide campaign for Mitchell, who lost the recall race against GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.
In a tweet, Mitchell said that a victory next year would give Walker 12 years in office.
“He’s already had eight years in office, and he’s failed us, the people of Wisconsin!” Mitchell said.
State Republican Party spokesman Alec Zimmerman said that Mitchell had already been rejected once by Wisconsin voters during the recall.
“Union boss Mahlon Mitchell went to extreme lengths to protect big government special interests during the recall,” Zimmerman said. “After being rejected by voters before, Mitchell is doubling down on the failed policies of yesterday.”
The opposition of Mitchell and other professional firefighters in the state was notable during the 2012 recall because firefighters were exempt from Walker’s 2011 repeal of most collective bargaining for public workers, which sparked the recall election. One exemption was firefighters in Milwaukee, who have backed Walker.
The field of Democrats running for governor includes state schools Superintendent Tony Evers; Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik; state Rep. Dana Wachs of Eau Claire; Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma; former state Democratic Party chairman Matthew Flynn; and political activist Mike McCabe.
The Democratic primary could still get more crowded. Other potential candidates include former state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys of Madison and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.
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