Mary Burke
Mary Burke waged an unsuccessful bid to unseat then-incumbent governor Scott Walker in the 2014 election cycle.
Burke, a fourth-generation Wisconsinite, is a former executive of Trek Bicycle, a company founded by her father. She worked to expand Trek’s sales and distribution operations to seven new countries, supporting manufacturing jobs and growing Wisconsin’s economy.
Burke became state commerce secretary in 2005, and promoted economic development and job creation in Wisconsin by helping attract investment to the state, giving assistance to entrepreneurs and start-ups, and working to promoting minority and women’s entrepreneurship. During her tenure, Wisconsin’s exports grew by nearly 50 percent, outpacing national growth.
She also has a track record of success in the nonprofit sector. From tutoring students to serving as board president with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County to founding an innovative public-private partnership aimed at narrowing the achievement gap, her commitment to supporting and improving public education has improved the lives of students. She served on the Madison Metropolitan School District School Board from 2012-19 and now focuses on the nonprofit, Building Brave, that she founded in the wake of her run for governor.
Ran for:
Governor of Wisconsin
Location:
Wisconsin
Status: Lost general election