In Wisconsin, O’Malley, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, will appear with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who is attempting to take down Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R). Walker made national headlines last year when he eliminated most collective-bargaining rights for public employee unions, triggering huge protests.
Among other activities, O’Malley is scheduled to appear with Barrett at a “pre-debate watching party” which doubles as fundraiser. Tickets for the Thursday night event range from $50 to $2,500, according to Walker’s Web site.
The Wisconsin recall election, set for Tuesday, has been a major focal point for both the DGA and its counterpart, the Republican Governors Association, headed by Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R). Recent polls have shown Walker ahead.
From Wisconsin, O’Malley heads to Massachusetts, where on Friday he will join Gov. Deval Patrick (D) for a fundraising luncheon to benefit the DGA, an aide said. While in Boston, O’Malley also has meetings scheduled with potential donors to Maryland’s same-sex marriage referendum that is likely to to be on the ballot this fall, the aide said.
Saturday’s itinerary includes two previously reported speaking engagements — a convention of New Hampshire Democrats in the morning, and a convention of Maine Democrats in the evening. The appearance in New Hampshire, the nation’s first presidential primary state, has stoked talk about O’Malley’s 2016 ambitions.
The governor plans to be back in Maryland on Sunday, according to an aide.
