Lt. Gov. Lawton breaks her silence

Since first being sworn into office as Lt Governor in 2003, Barbara Lawton has had her eye on the state's top job. 

"Part of my job as lieutenant governor is to prepare to succeed the governor," said Lawton in an interview in 2008.

So when Jim Doyle decided not to run for a third term, Lawton made it clear she was in. She began raising money for a campaign and collected endorsements from Democratic leaders around the state. And then just months into her bid, an email that surprised voters around the state ending her campaign citing "very personal reasons."

"It was a very difficult decision to decide I could not continue my campaign for governor because I so wanted to govern," said Lawton Tuesday.

In her first one on one interview since announcing a month ago she would not pursue the democratic nomination for governor, Lawton explains her reasons to quit.

"There's a variety of factors but including a way that people who control resources and thinking and press even that conspire whether intentionally or not that make it more of a challenge for women," she said.

Wisconsin is one of 27 states around the country which has never had a female governor. Lawton was seen by many as Wisconsin's best chance for a woman to move into the governor's office.

Many people thought you would be the one to break that barrier.

"I wanted to be the one to change that," Lawton said.

Is it tougher for women?

"Yes of course it's tougher for women there's a different way that we are or aren't covered by the press," she said.

You must not think Wisconsin is ready for a female governor?

"I hate to admit that," she confided.

Lawton says she's not afraid of a fight but says the timing wasn't right. In her 13 months left as Lt Governor, Lawton tells me she will continue to push for ways to make Wisconsin better. Just last week she spoke out against Governor Doyle's decision to veto a bill that would keep the DNR secretary independent, urging lawmakers to override.

"I don't know how or why he changed his mind but it was a mistake," she pointed out.

The governor defends his veto saying an appointed DNR leader would be more productive .

Lawton admits she and Doyle were never close personally but work well professionally. And while she was alone in her democratic bid for governor, she knew she was never really alone.

You had indications others were circling?

"Hmm hmm," Lawton nodded.

Tom Barrett among them?

"Oh, or course," she said.

Lawton says she will support Barrett if he is the democratic nominee. As for her future, Lawton says she will continue to make her voice known.