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Falk returns to campaign trail

After two unsuccessful campaigns for other state offices, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced Wednesday she will be running for re-election.

“When I think about all we’ve gotten done over the past 12 years, I can’t wait to get started on the next chapter,” Falk said.

Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle said he was surprised that Falk is seeking a fourth term in local government.

“Frankly for me, it’s a little unexpected,” Doyle said. “But I won’t get into that.”

When asked if this announcement was a promise that she would not run for a higher position in state government, Falk said she could not make that promise because she would not make promises she cannot keep.

Standing behind her, Doyle asked her to not make that promise.

While she did not promise she would not run for another office, Falk said she does not view her position as a stepping-stone and that she has worked “24/7 for 14 years.”

Falk was first elected in 1997 and has served three terms so far. In 2002, she ran for governor against Doyle and Tom Barrett. In 2006, she ran for Attorney General of Wisconsin and lost to J.B. Van Hollen by a close margin.

In her bid for attorney general, Falk won the Democratic primary, defeating incumbent Peg Lautenschlager, who was the topic of controversy when she pleaded guilty to drunken driving charges in 2004.

Falk announced she would be launching initiatives on alcohol abuse in the next couple weeks, calling drinking a serious problem in Dane County.

“There is life-saving work that needs to be done in the area of alcohol abuse,” Falk said. “Our cultural tolerance for the excessive use of alcohol endangers individual lives and our entire community.”

Over the past few months, Falk and her office faced criticism after the Dane County 911 dispatch center mishandled a phone call from the cell phone of UW junior Brittany Zimmermann on the day of her homicide.

During her speech, Falk said she has focused on safety throughout her time in office and added 128 new staff to the sheriff’s department.

Falk also said she thinks Dane County can become a “producer rather than a consumer of energy,” turning waste products into energy sources.

“Kathleen has really devoted herself to making sure that everybody in Dane County has an opportunity to be able to move forward and live a good life,” Doyle said.

Currently, Falk has no challenger but she said she will “run strong and run hard.”

Dane County Board Chairman Scott McDonell and former Dane County Executive Jonathan Barry reportedly considered running if Falk decided she would not. 

“I am inspired daily by the half million Dane County citizens who want a better future for all our people and this place we love,” Falk said. “I ask for your support.”