E-mail
Print
UWM student taking another crack at County Executive
Klein to run for second time
By Ryan Cardarella
“I am for making government painfully transparent. We should be bending over backwards to make sure the public knows what is going on. The public needs to be the final auditor of our government.” – Milwaukee County Executive candidate Joe Klein
Most middle-aged men deal with a mid-life crisis by buying a fast car or a lavish boat. Joe Klein has decided to run for office instead.
For the second time, current University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student and political outsider Joe Klein is running for the Milwaukee County Executive position. At press time, Klein is the only candidate that has filed the necessary paperwork to run. Republican Scott Walker is the incumbent.
A computer consultant, student and member of the National Guard, Klein will be relying on his diverse background and progressive thinking to overcome his glaring political inexperience. The 50-year-old Klein previously ran in 2004 and finished with a percentage in the single digits.
In spite of his struggles in 2004, Klein is passionate about offering a different voice in a high-profile race.
“I feel like the whole system is somewhat stale. We need to get everybody involved. We need to change; we need to make things better,” Klein said.
The county executive race is shaping up to be a contentious one, with several critical budget and transit issues looming over the city.
“I don’t think anyone who’s got any real perspective on what’s going on can say that the transportation system is doing well, or that the parks are doing well, or that the budget problems are being fixed. So we hired him [Walker] for what?” said Klein.
As an answer to the transportation problems plaguing the city, Klein feels that a commuter rail system could alleviate congestion and ease the rise of gas prices.
“In almost every major city, they are looking at rail-system alternatives, but we have been dismissing it. Where is the forward thinking here?” Klein said.
Klein is also a staunch advocate for open government and feels a growing disconnect between citizens and their elected officials.
“You look at state government, you look at Milwaukee County, it’s a very opaque government,” said Klein. “I am for making government painfully transparent. We should be bending over backwards to make sure the public knows what is going on. The public needs to be the final auditor of our government.”
As someone running from outside of the political realm, Klein appears to be facing an uphill battle in garnering votes against the far more resourceful and well-known Walker. But Klein feels that his status as an outsider has distinct advantages as well.
“I don’t have a bunch of cronies that want something from me. I’d be hiring people based on qualifications and who is best for the job,” said Klein.
It remains to be seen whether he can emerge as a legitimate threat to win the race, but he is clearly hoping to come out on top.
> Comments