An opponent for Sheriff Clarke?

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who wants oh-so-badly to be a Republican but knows he can't be elected as one, takes a hit from Joel McNally in a Capital Times op ed piece.

McNally reports on a prospective primary opponent for Clarke next year(assuming he runs as a Dem again):

Even worse news for Clarke is that former Municipal Judge Vince Bobot is considering running against Clarke as a real Democrat. Bobot, a former Milwaukee police officer, was the candidate who caused the most trouble for Clarke in his disastrous run for Milwaukee mayor.

Bobot was the whistle-blower who challenged Clarke's failure to initially submit a paltry 1,500 valid signatures on nomination papers. An extremely lenient City Election Commission allowed Clarke to correct his nomination papers after the deadline so he wouldn't be dropped from the ballot.

Not only does Bobot have experience in law enforcement and on the bench, but he's also a big, friendly likable guy. Clarke clearly is struggling with his orientation as a Republican trapped in the body of a Democrat.

Bobot and Clarke both ran poorly in the mayoral primary, in which Tom Barrett and Marvin Pratt emerged as the top two. But in a Democratic primary -- and with Republicans prevented from crossing over because of a GOP primary for governor -- Clarke could face a real test. Whether Bobot is the one to do it remains to be seen, but he is beginning to beat the bushes and test support, and so far no one else has emerged.