The 2012 Milwaukee mayoral election was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, to elect the mayor for Milwaukee. Incumbent mayor Tom Barrett was elected to a third term, defeating Edward McDonald. This election coincided with other municipal elections, including an unopposed re-election bid for Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and contested elections for City Comptroller, City Treasurer, and the Common Council.
Municipal elections in Wisconsin are non-partisan. The non-partisan primary was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, to narrow the field of candidates to two.
Primary election
Candidates
Tom Barrett, incumbent mayor
Ieshuh Griffin, community activist and frequent candidate
Edward McDonald, faculty member of the University of Wisconsin–Extension and community activist
Declined
Bill Wenz, former real estate broker
Results
General election
Candidates
Tom Barrett, incumbent mayor
Edward McDonald, faculty member of the University of Wisconsin–Extension and community activist
Results
Barrett announced on March 30, 2012 that he will run in the Democratic primary for Governor in the recall election to face incumbent Scott Walker and subsequently lost.