She was elected to the board in 2012 in her first bid for public office. She had previously served as commerce secretary under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and was an executive at her family’s company, Trek Bicycle.

Madison Teachers Inc. executive director John Matthews said Burke’s vote was expected, based on her statements about collective bargaining, but it has broader implications.

“People will see her as standing up for what, as a candidate, she says she will do — and that she is in the corner of the working people,” Matthews said. “That certainly will be true for not only the members of MTI but for working people — especially union members throughout Wisconsin.”

Matthews added that Burke has been endorsed by several unions including MTI, AFL-CIO Wisconsin, AFSCME, WEAC and AFT.

Ed Miller, a UW-Stevens Point political science professor, said with the state so severely divided over collective bargaining, Burke wouldn’t gain much support by voting against the unions, but she could increase turnout among Democrats by standing up for labor.