Who is Mary Burke?

Mary Burke is an American businesswoman and politician who served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. She was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in 2014, but lost to incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker.

Burke was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked as a marketing executive for Procter & Gamble before co-founding Trek Bicycles with her husband, John Burke. Burke served on the Madison City Council from 2004 to 2011, and was elected Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 2010.

As Lieutenant Governor, Burke focused on economic development, education, and healthcare. She also served as chair of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Burke's 2014 gubernatorial campaign focused on job creation, education, and healthcare. She lost to Walker by a margin of 52% to 47%. After her defeat, Burke returned to the private sector and currently serves as the CEO of the Burke Foundation.

Mary Burke

Mary Burke is a prominent figure in Wisconsin politics and business. Her career has spanned several key aspects, including:

Businesswoman
Politician
Lieutenant Governor
Democratic Nominee
Economic Development
Education
Healthcare
Burke Foundation

As a businesswoman, Burke co-founded Trek Bicycles, a successful bicycle manufacturing company. In politics, she served as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019 and was the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2014. Burke has also been a strong advocate for economic development, education, and healthcare in Wisconsin. Since leaving office, she has continued to be involved in public service through the Burke Foundation, which supports organizations working to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents.

1. Businesswoman

Mary Burke's background as a businesswoman has significantly influenced her career and approach to public service. Her experience in the private sector has provided her with valuable skills and perspectives that she has brought to her roles in government.

Entrepreneurship and Job Creation
As the co-founder of Trek Bicycles, Burke has firsthand experience in starting and growing a successful business. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses, particularly in Wisconsin. As Lieutenant Governor, Burke focused on economic development and job creation, working to create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
Financial Management and Budgeting
Burke's experience in business has also given her a strong foundation in financial management and budgeting. This has been essential in her role as Lieutenant Governor, where she has overseen the state's budget and worked to ensure responsible fiscal management.
Strategic Planning and Decision-Making
As a business leader, Burke has developed strong strategic planning and decision-making skills. She is able to identify and prioritize goals, develop and implement plans to achieve them, and make tough decisions when necessary. These skills have been invaluable in her role as Lieutenant Governor, where she has played a key role in shaping the state's policies and priorities.
Public-Private Partnerships
Burke has a strong track record of working effectively with both the public and private sectors. She understands the importance of collaboration between government and businesses in order to achieve common goals. As Lieutenant Governor, Burke has worked to build strong partnerships between the state government and businesses in Wisconsin.

Burke's experience as a businesswoman has made her a valuable asset to Wisconsin. Her skills and perspectives have helped her to be an effective leader and advocate for the state.

2. Politician

Mary Burke's career as a politician has been marked by her commitment to public service and her focus on improving the lives of Wisconsin residents. She has served in several key roles, including:

Lieutenant Governor
Burke served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the state's economic development efforts, promoting tourism, and advocating for Wisconsin businesses. Burke also played a key role in the state's education and healthcare systems.
Democratic Nominee for Governor
In 2014, Burke was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin. She ran on a platform of job creation, education, and healthcare. Although she ultimately lost to incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker, Burke's campaign demonstrated her strong commitment to public service and her ability to connect with voters.
Public Service
Throughout her career, Burke has been dedicated to public service. She has served on the Madison City Council, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Burke's commitment to public service is evident in her work to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents, particularly in the areas of economic development, education, and healthcare.

Burke's experience as a politician has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin. She is a strong advocate for the state and its residents, and she is committed to working to make Wisconsin a better place for everyone.

3. Lieutenant Governor

Mary Burke served as the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the state's economic development efforts, promoting tourism, and advocating for Wisconsin businesses. Burke also played a key role in the state's education and healthcare systems.

Role and Responsibilities
As Lieutenant Governor, Burke's primary role was to support the Governor and oversee the day-to-day operations of the state government. She also presided over the Wisconsin State Senate and served as chair of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Economic Development
Burke was a strong advocate for economic development in Wisconsin. She worked to attract new businesses to the state and to support the growth of existing businesses. Burke also played a key role in the development of the state's tourism industry.
Education
Burke was a strong supporter of public education in Wisconsin. She worked to increase funding for public schools and to improve the quality of education in the state. Burke also worked to make college more affordable for Wisconsin students.
Healthcare
Burke was a strong advocate for expanding access to affordable healthcare in Wisconsin. She worked to implement the Affordable Care Act in the state and to expand Medicaid coverage. Burke also worked to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

Burke's experience as Lieutenant Governor has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin. She is a strong advocate for the state and its residents, and she is committed to working to make Wisconsin a better place for everyone.

4. Democratic Nominee

Mary Burke's status as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in 2014 was a significant milestone in her political career. It represented the culmination of her years of public service and her commitment to the Democratic Party's values.

Campaign Platform
As the Democratic nominee, Burke ran on a platform that focused on job creation, education, and healthcare. She proposed a number of policies aimed at improving the lives of Wisconsin residents, including increasing funding for public schools, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and investing in infrastructure projects.
Primary Election
Burke won the Democratic primary election in a crowded field of candidates. She defeated several well-known politicians, including former Governor Jim Doyle and former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Burke's victory in the primary demonstrated her strong support among Democratic voters.
General Election
In the general election, Burke faced incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker. Walker was a popular and well-funded candidate, and Burke was considered an underdog in the race. However, Burke ran a strong campaign and came within a few points of defeating Walker. Her performance in the general election demonstrated her ability to connect with voters and her potential as a future candidate.
Impact on Wisconsin Politics
Burke's campaign for Governor had a significant impact on Wisconsin politics. It helped to energize the Democratic base and to raise awareness of the issues facing the state. Burke's campaign also helped to set the stage for the 2018 gubernatorial election, in which Democrat Tony Evers defeated Walker.

Burke's experience as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin was a valuable one. It gave her the opportunity to share her vision for the state and to connect with voters on a personal level. Burke's campaign also helped to shape the future of Wisconsin politics.

5. Economic Development

Economic development has been a central focus of Mary Burke's career, both in her role as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and as a businesswoman. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin's economy, and she has worked tirelessly to promote economic growth and prosperity in the state.

Job Creation
Burke is a strong advocate for job creation. She believes that the best way to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents is to create more good-paying jobs. As Lieutenant Governor, she worked to attract new businesses to the state and to support the growth of existing businesses. She also played a key role in the development of the state's tourism industry.
Entrepreneurship
Burke is a strong supporter of entrepreneurship. She believes that small businesses are the backbone of the Wisconsin economy. As Lieutenant Governor, she worked to create a favorable environment for small businesses to start and grow. She also supported programs that provide training and assistance to entrepreneurs.
Infrastructure
Burke believes that investing in infrastructure is essential for economic development. She supports projects that improve the state's roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. She also supports investments in renewable energy and other sustainable technologies.

Burke's commitment to economic development is evident in her work as Lieutenant Governor and in her private sector career. She is a strong advocate for policies that promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and investment in infrastructure. Her work has helped to make Wisconsin a more prosperous state for all.

6. Education

Education has been a central focus of Mary Burke's career, both in her role as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and as a businesswoman. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin's education system, and she has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education for all Wisconsin students.

Burke believes that education is the key to unlocking economic opportunity and improving the lives of Wisconsin residents. She has worked to increase funding for public schools and to improve the quality of teaching in the state. She has also supported programs that provide early childhood education and that help students to succeed in college and beyond.

Burke's commitment to education is evident in her work as Lieutenant Governor and in her private sector career. She is a strong advocate for policies that promote educational equity and excellence. Her work has helped to make Wisconsin a better place for all students to learn and grow.

7. Healthcare

Healthcare has been a central focus of Mary Burke's career, both in her role as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and as a businesswoman. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin's healthcare system, and she has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of healthcare for all Wisconsin residents.

Expanding Access to Healthcare
Burke believes that everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare. As Lieutenant Governor, she worked to implement the Affordable Care Act in Wisconsin and to expand Medicaid coverage. She also supported programs that provide health insurance to low-income families and individuals.
Improving the Quality of Healthcare
Burke is committed to improving the quality of healthcare in Wisconsin. She supports policies that promote patient safety, improve coordination of care, and reduce costs. She also supports investments in medical research and innovation.
Lowering the Cost of Healthcare
Burke believes that healthcare should be affordable for everyone. She supports policies that lower the cost of prescription drugs and other healthcare services. She also supports efforts to reduce the administrative costs of healthcare.
Supporting Healthcare Providers
Burke is committed to supporting healthcare providers in Wisconsin. She believes that healthcare providers should be fairly compensated for their work and that they should have the resources they need to provide quality care to their patients.

Burke's commitment to healthcare is evident in her work as Lieutenant Governor and in her private sector career. She is a strong advocate for policies that promote access to affordable, quality healthcare for all Wisconsin residents.

8. Burke Foundation

The Burke Foundation is a private foundation established by former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mary Burke and her husband, John Burke. The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents by supporting organizations that are working to make a positive difference in the state.

The Burke Foundation focuses on four key areas: education, healthcare, economic development, and the environment. The foundation has supported a wide range of organizations working in these areas, including schools, hospitals, community development organizations, and environmental groups.

The Burke Foundation has made a significant impact on Wisconsin. The foundation's grants have helped to improve educational opportunities for students, provide healthcare to low-income families, create jobs, and protect the environment. The foundation's work has made Wisconsin a better place to live and work for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mary Burke

This section addresses some commonly asked questions about Mary Burke, her career, and her impact on Wisconsin.

1. What is Mary Burke's background before entering politics?

Mary Burke has a strong background in business. She co-founded Trek Bicycles with her husband, John Burke, and served as the company's marketing executive. She also served on the Madison City Council from 2004 to 2011.

2. What were Mary Burke's key priorities as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin?

Burke's priorities as Lieutenant Governor included economic development, education, and healthcare. She focused on attracting new businesses to the state, supporting entrepreneurship, and investing in infrastructure. She also worked to improve the quality of education and expand access to affordable healthcare.

3. What was Mary Burke's role in the 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election?

Burke was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in 2014. She ran on a platform of job creation, education, and healthcare. Although she ultimately lost to incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker, Burke's campaign demonstrated her strong commitment to public service and her ability to connect with voters.

4. What is the focus of the Burke Foundation?

The Burke Foundation is a private foundation established by Mary Burke and her husband. The foundation's mission is to improve the lives of Wisconsin residents by supporting organizations that are working to make a positive difference in the state. The foundation focuses on four key areas: education, healthcare, economic development, and the environment.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Mary Burke. For more information, please visit her website or the Burke Foundation website.

Conclusion

Mary Burke is a prominent figure in Wisconsin politics and business. Her career has been marked by her commitment to public service and her focus on improving the lives of Wisconsin residents. As Lieutenant Governor, Democratic nominee for Governor, and founder of the Burke Foundation, Burke has made significant contributions to the state.

Burke's legacy is one of leadership, innovation, and compassion. She has been a strong advocate for economic development, education, healthcare, and the environment. Her work has made Wisconsin a better place to live and work for everyone.