By Karen Stokes
Residents of the city of Milwaukee motivated the community with various initiatives to “get out the vote” in the 2014 midterm elections.
This has been a tight race for months but Scott Walker defeated Mary Burke, 52 percent to 47 percent.
According to the Milwaukee Election Commission, approximately 66 percent of Milwaukee residents went to the polls. This is compared to 47 percent who voted in the 2010 midterms.
Helping people to get to the polls was an organized effort with rides being offered to voters who did not have transportation.
There are stories highlighting the determination of people to vote. A caller on WNOV 860 shared that she had a ride to the polls to register and vote.
When she tried to register she was told she didn’t have the appropriate documentation.
Being determined to vote, she had the driver take her home where she got her We Energy bill, went back to her polling place and proceeded to register and vote.
Another story of determination was that of a woman who was waiting in line to vote with her children. She tripped and twisted her ankle.
Her children wanted to take her to the doctor, she told them “no, she was going to stay and vote.” And she did.
After a hard fought governor’s race, the polarizing Republican governor was re-elected.
This was the third election he has won in four years. In 2010 he won his first term and in 2012 he survived a highly publicized recall election.
The voters in the city of Milwaukee overwhelmingly supported Mary Burke.
Burke won 76 percent of the vote while only 22 percent voted for Walker.
Wisconsin is divided. In order to unite Wisconsin, Walker needs to address the 47 percent of the state that did not vote for him.
A majority of those voters live in Milwaukee.
In Walker’s acceptance speech, he did address those who did not vote for him.
“To all that didn’t vote for me, I hope to earn your support and respect over the next four years, we have a lot of work to do,” said Walker.
In the speech, Walker made several references to Washington which could be speculated that he has presidential aspirations.
“Big government and special interest groups spent millions of dollars and bought all sorts of ads because a few years ago we took the power away from the Washington based special interest groups and put it in the hands of the Wisconsin taxpayer.”
At the Mary Burke event in Milwaukee at Lakefront Brewery, the crowd was cautiously optimistic but still tried to remain energized even though the numbers were starting not to look so good.
At 9:30 p.m., Walker was projected winner.
“I’m so proud of Milwaukee and all the people who worked hard for this campaign, “said Senator Lena Taylor to the crowd of democrats.
Gwen Moore, who was re-elected in the congressional District 4 race at 76 percent against Republican Dan Sebring, had positive words for Burke.
“I [would] like to thank Mary Burke who stood on the front lines for us,” Moore said.
“Thanks, Mary Burke for standing up for the poor, elderly and disabled.
We can’t have a democracy if we go home and sit down. Let’s keep going.”
Mary Burke had inspiring words during her concession speech.
“This campaign is over but the fight for these values and a fair shot that is so important to Wisconsinites and our future is not,” said Burke.
Thank you to all the supporters and all the volunteers for all that you have done.
We will stay determined, stay focused and stay committed. There is nothing that can stop us from moving forward. Thank you.”
Burke said she will continue to do what she can to improve her community and serve others.