Mary Burke
Mary Burke is the target of a last-minute campaign smear as the race for Wisconsin governor remains tight. Two former executives—both of whom just happen to be Republicans—of her family's company, Trek Bicycle, are claiming that Burke was forced out of a job with the company in the early 1990s, a claim the company strongly denies. But
how did this story get going and gain traction? That's especially interesting:
An article by M.D. Kittle first ran Tuesday on the website of the Wisconsin Reporter, which is part of the conservative Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. In 2012, the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation donated $190,000 to help underwrite the website. The Bradley Foundation is headed by Michael Grebe, chairman of Walker's campaign committee.
Okay, then. A conservative outlet supported by a foundation run by Walker's campaign committee chair is the source of a last-minute attack on Walker's opponent in a tight race. Gee, that all looks extremely ethical and aboveboard. Especially in relation to the campaign of a governor already
under investigation for using outside conservative groups more or less as extensions of his campaign. Burke's campaign is hitting back:
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The fact that Walker supporters are bothering with a flimsy attack based on events more than 20 years old shows how close they think this race is. Democrats need to push hard to get out the vote for Mary Burke.