11:13 PM: Barrett expects similar path in second term
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said his re-election Tuesday provides some stability for the city, and he promised to continue working to create more jobs, improve public safety, improve the educational system and support transit improvements.
Barrett faced token opposition from Andrew Shaw. With 98 percent of the vote in, Barrett had 79 percent of the vote.
He credited his re-election to a long record of bringing people together during his terms as a state lawmaker and member of Congress representing Milwaukee, saying he continued that effort after a contentious mayoral election in 2004.
Barrett said he expected to continue on the same path he laid out for his first term. That could mean a continued battle with Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker over transit issues.
Walker won re-election Tuesday as well. Asked how he would work with Walker for another term, Barrett immediately focused on transit issues.
"We have to move forward on the transit system," Barrett said. "The transit system is imploding as we speak, and there has to be as solution to that. I cannot think of a city in the country that's growing that does not have a good, active transportation system that includes transit and includes rail."
-- By JR Ross
Labels: 2008 spring election