Mary Burke's Age: How Old Is The Former Wisconsin Governor?

Jed Steuber PhD 12 May 2025

Who is Mary Burke and how old is she? Mary Burke is an American businesswoman and politician who was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in the 2014 election. She was born on January 5, 1960, making her 63 years old.

Mary Burke was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in the city's Bay View neighborhood, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a bachelor's degree in economics. After graduating from college, she worked as a financial analyst for several years before starting her own business. In 2002, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where she served for six years. In 2010, she ran for governor but lost to incumbent Republican Scott Walker.

Burke is a moderate Democrat who supports abortion rights and gun control. She is also a strong advocate for education and healthcare reform. In the 2014 gubernatorial election, she ran on a platform of economic populism and social justice. She lost to Walker by a narrow margin, but her campaign helped to energize the Democratic base in Wisconsin.

Burke is married to David Burke, and they have two children. She is a member of the Catholic Church and is active in her community.

Mary Burke's Age and Career

Mary Burke's age has been a topic of discussion in the media, as she is one of the oldest women to run for governor in Wisconsin history. However, she has said that she does not believe her age is a disadvantage, and that she is confident that she has the experience and energy to lead the state.

Burke's supporters have pointed to her experience in business and government as evidence that she is qualified to be governor. They also argue that her age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Wisconsin, and that she is better equipped than younger candidates to deal with the complex issues facing the state.

Burke's opponents have argued that she is too old to be governor, and that she is out of touch with the needs of younger voters. They also argue that her experience in government makes her part of the establishment, and that she is not the change that Wisconsin needs.

Mary Burke's Age and the Media

Mary Burke's Age

Experience: Burke has a long history of experience in business and government, which her supporters say makes her qualified to be governor.
Perspective: Burke's age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Wisconsin, and her supporters argue that she is better equipped than younger candidates to deal with the complex issues facing the state.
Energy: Despite her age, Burke is a very energetic person, and her supporters believe that she has the stamina to be an effective governor.
Discrimination: Some people have argued that Burke's age is a disadvantage, and that she is out of touch with the needs of younger voters.
Establishment: Burke's opponents have argued that her experience in government makes her part of the establishment, and that she is not the change that Wisconsin needs.
Relevance: Ultimately, Burke's age is just one factor that voters will consider when deciding whether or not to vote for her. Voters will also consider her experience, her policies, and her overall qualifications.

Burke's supporters believe that her age is an asset, while her opponents believe that it is a liability. Only time will tell how Burke's age will affect her campaign.

Name	Mary Burke
Age	63
Occupation	Businesswoman and politician
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	David Burke
Children	2

Experience

Mary Burke's experience in business and government is a key component of her qualifications to be governor. Her supporters argue that her experience gives her the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the state. Burke has a long history of success in both the private and public sectors. She has served as the CEO of Trek Bicycle Corporation, one of the world's leading bicycle manufacturers. She also served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce under former Governor Jim Doyle. In these roles, Burke has demonstrated her ability to manage large organizations and to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

Burke's experience is particularly relevant to the challenges facing Wisconsin. The state is facing a number of economic challenges, including high unemployment and a slow-growing economy. Burke's experience in business gives her the knowledge and skills necessary to address these challenges. She has a proven track record of creating jobs and growing businesses. She also has a deep understanding of the state's economy and the challenges facing businesses.

In addition to her experience in business, Burke also has a strong record of public service. She served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce for four years, and she was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for six years. In these roles, Burke worked on a variety of issues, including economic development, education, and healthcare. She has a deep understanding of the state's government and the challenges facing the state.

Burke's experience in business and government makes her a well-qualified candidate for governor. She has the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the state and address the challenges facing Wisconsin.

Perspective

Mary Burke's age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Wisconsin. She has seen the state change and grow over the years, and she has a deep understanding of the issues facing its residents. Her supporters argue that she is better equipped than younger candidates to deal with the complex issues facing the state because she has the experience and wisdom that comes with age.

Experience: Burke has a long history of experience in business and government. She has served as the CEO of Trek Bicycle Corporation, one of the world's leading bicycle manufacturers. She also served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce under former Governor Jim Doyle. In these roles, Burke has gained valuable experience in managing large organizations and working with a variety of stakeholders. This experience has given her the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the state and address the challenges facing Wisconsin.
Wisdom: Burke's age has also given her wisdom and perspective that younger candidates may not have. She has seen the state change and grow over the years, and she has a deep understanding of the issues facing its residents. This wisdom will be invaluable in leading the state and making decisions that are in the best interests of all Wisconsinites.
Objectivity: Burke's age may also give her a greater degree of objectivity than younger candidates. She is not as tied to the political establishment, and she is more likely to make decisions based on what is best for the state, rather than what is best for her political career.
Energy: Despite her age, Burke is a very energetic person. She is passionate about serving the people of Wisconsin, and she has the stamina to work long hours and dedicate herself to the job of governor.

Burke's age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Wisconsin. She has the experience, wisdom, objectivity, and energy necessary to lead the state and address the challenges facing its residents.

Energy

Despite her age, Mary Burke is a very energetic person. Her supporters believe that she has the stamina to be an effective governor. This is an important consideration, as the job of governor is a demanding one that requires long hours and a great deal of energy.

Burke's energy level is evident in her work ethic. She is known for being a hard worker who is always willing to put in the extra hours. She is also very passionate about her work, and this passion gives her the drive to keep going even when she is tired.

Burke's energy is also evident in her personal life. She is an avid hiker and biker, and she enjoys spending time outdoors. She is also a very social person who loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Burke's energy level is a valuable asset for her campaign. It shows that she has the stamina to be an effective governor and that she is passionate about serving the people of Wisconsin.

Discrimination

Age discrimination is a serious issue that can affect people of all ages. In the context of Mary Burke's age, some people have argued that her age is a disadvantage, and that she is out of touch with the needs of younger voters. This is a complex issue with a number of different facets.

Stereotypes and Prejudice: One facet of age discrimination is stereotypes and prejudice. Some people believe that older people are less capable than younger people, and that they are out of touch with the needs of younger generations. These stereotypes and prejudices can lead to discrimination against older people in a variety of settings, including the workplace and the political arena.
Lack of Representation: Another facet of age discrimination is the lack of representation of older people in positions of power and influence. This lack of representation can make it difficult for older people to have their voices heard and to advocate for their needs. In the context of Mary Burke's age, some people have argued that her age makes her less likely to be elected governor, because younger voters may not be able to relate to her or understand her priorities.
Negative Media Portrayals: The media also plays a role in age discrimination. Older people are often portrayed in a negative light, as being out of touch, irrelevant, or even a burden on society. These negative portrayals can reinforce stereotypes and prejudices about older people, and can make it more difficult for them to be taken seriously.
Consequences of Age Discrimination: Age discrimination can have a number of negative consequences for older people. It can lead to unemployment, poverty, and social isolation. It can also damage older people's self-esteem and mental health.

The issue of age discrimination is a complex one with a number of different facets. It is important to be aware of the different forms of age discrimination and to challenge stereotypes and prejudices about older people. We must also work to increase the representation of older people in positions of power and influence, and to ensure that their voices are heard.

Establishment

Mary Burke's age has been a topic of discussion in the media, with some commentators arguing that it is a disadvantage for her campaign. However, Burke has said that she does not believe her age is a disadvantage, and that she is confident that she has the experience and energy to lead the state. Burke's supporters have pointed to her experience in business and government as evidence that she is qualified to be governor. They also argue that her age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Wisconsin, and that she is better equipped than younger candidates to deal with the complex issues facing the state.

Experience and Expertise: Burke's opponents argue that her extensive experience in government makes her part of the establishment, and that she is not the change that Wisconsin needs. They argue that she is too close to the special interests and that she will not be able to bring about the change that the state needs. Burke's supporters, on the other hand, argue that her experience in government gives her the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective governor. They argue that she has a proven track record of working with people from all walks of life, and that she is able to get things done.
Age and Perspective: Burke's age has also been a factor in the discussion of whether she is part of the establishment. Some argue that her age makes her out of touch with the needs of younger voters, and that she does not represent the change that Wisconsin needs. Burke's supporters, on the other hand, argue that her age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing the state. They argue that she has seen the state change and grow over the years, and that she has a deep understanding of the issues facing its residents.
Change and Continuity: The debate over whether Burke is part of the establishment is ultimately a debate about change and continuity. Her opponents argue that she represents the status quo, while her supporters argue that she represents change. This debate is likely to continue throughout the campaign, and it will be up to the voters to decide whether Burke's experience and age make her the best candidate to lead Wisconsin.

The debate over whether Mary Burke is part of the establishment is a complex one with no easy answers. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, it is up to the voters to decide whether Burke's experience and age make her the best candidate to lead Wisconsin.

Relevance

Mary Burke's age is just one factor that voters will consider when deciding whether or not to vote for her. Voters will also consider her experience, her policies, and her overall qualifications. This is because age is not the only factor that determines a candidate's qualifications for office. There are many other factors, such as experience, education, and temperament, that voters will also consider.

Experience: Burke has a long history of experience in business and government. She has served as the CEO of Trek Bicycle Corporation, one of the world's leading bicycle manufacturers. She also served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce under former Governor Jim Doyle. This experience has given her the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the state.
Policies: Burke's policies are also an important factor that voters will consider. Burke is a moderate Democrat who supports abortion rights and gun control. She is also a strong advocate for education and healthcare reform. Voters will need to decide whether or not they agree with Burke's policies before deciding whether or not to vote for her.
Overall Qualifications: In addition to Burke's experience and policies, voters will also consider her overall qualifications. This includes her education, her temperament, and her leadership skills. Voters will need to decide whether or not they believe that Burke is the best candidate for the job before deciding whether or not to vote for her.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to vote for Mary Burke is up to the voters. Voters will need to consider all of the factors discussed above before making their decision.

FAQs about Mary Burke's age

Question 1: Does Mary Burke's age make her unqualified to be governor?

No, Mary Burke's age does not make her unqualified to be governor. Burke has a long history of experience in business and government, and she is confident that she has the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the state. She has served as the CEO of Trek Bicycle Corporation, one of the world's leading bicycle manufacturers. She also served as the Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce under former Governor Jim Doyle. In these roles, Burke has gained valuable experience in managing large organizations and working with a variety of stakeholders.

Question 2: Is Mary Burke too old to be governor?

Whether or not Mary Burke is too old to be governor is a matter of opinion. Some people may believe that her age makes her out of touch with the needs of younger voters. However, Burke's supporters argue that her age gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing the state. They argue that she has seen the state change and grow over the years, and that she has a deep understanding of the issues facing its residents.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to vote for Mary Burke is up to the voters. Voters will need to consider all of the factors discussed above before making their decision.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to vote for Mary Burke is up to the voters. Voters will need to consider all of the factors discussed above before making their decision. Burke's age is just one factor that voters will consider when deciding whether or not to vote for her. Voters will also consider her experience, her policies, and her overall qualifications.

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