Three Milwaukee County supervisors have filed an ethics complaint against County Executive Scott Walker over the statewide motorcycle tour Walker has scheduled for later this month, saying it will actually benefit his 2010 campaign for governor.
 
But in a letter to Walker earlier this month, the county ethics commission already gave the ride the green light.

"It is our view that no county official or employee will be receiving anything that is of private benefit to himself," ethics chairman David Carr wrote in a letter to Walker June 4.

The complaint to the Milwaukee County Election Commission argues Walker illegally used county tax dollars and corporate sponsorship for the tour because it will help his Republican campaign for governor. The June 20-25 tour is being sponsored by AirTran Airways, which is paying $2,800 to advertise on the ride, and ChooseMilwaukee.com.
 
State Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate called the ride "an egregious violation of election rules."
 
This is the sixth annual ride led by Walker, who announced last month that he'll seek the GOP nomination for governor in 2010. He'll make stops in, among other places, Green Bay, Rhinelander, Eau Claire and Platteville.
 

For daily updates on area politics, keep your browser pointed to the State Journal's politics blog:
www.madison.com/wsj/blogs/PoliticsBlog