Mary Burke Becomes First Woman Nominated For Wisconsin Governor By Major Party

Mary Burke Becomes First Woman Nominated For Wisconsin Governor By Major Party
Former Wisconsin commerce secretary and Trek Bicycle executive Mary Burke is seen in an undated photo provided by Burke. Burke, a Democrat, announced Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 that she has officially entered the race for governor. Republican Gov. Scott Walker is seeking re-election in 2014 after winning the governor's office in 2010 and surviving a recall last year. (AP Photo/courtesy of Mary Burke)
Former Wisconsin commerce secretary and Trek Bicycle executive Mary Burke is seen in an undated photo provided by Burke. Burke, a Democrat, announced Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 that she has officially entered the race for governor. Republican Gov. Scott Walker is seeking re-election in 2014 after winning the governor's office in 2010 and surviving a recall last year. (AP Photo/courtesy of Mary Burke)

Democrat Mary Burke won Wisconsin's primary for governor Tuesday, easily defeating state Rep. Brett Hulsey (D) and becoming the state's first woman gubernatorial nominee for a major political party.

Burke, a former Trek Bicycle Corp. executive and daughter of the company's founder, previously served as Wisconsin secretary of commerce. She announced her run against Gov. Scott Walker (R) in October and was quickly mocked for her looks by a right-wing site.

Walker has tried to portray Burke as a job outsourcer because Trek manufactures bicycles overseas. He has since walked back those attacks.

Kathleen Falk (D), former county executive of Dane County, ran for Wisconsin governor in 2002, but lost the Democratic primary to then-Attorney General Jim Doyle. In 2012, Tammy Baldwin (D) became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Wisconsin, as well as the first openly LGBT U.S. senator.

Women in Wisconsin have held the offices of state attorney general and lieutenant governor, among other statewide positions.

HuffPost Pollster shows Burke trailing Walker in the November general election:

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