Republican governor has supporters and opposers across the board
Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker, was the first ever politician to beat a recall election. Walker beat Democratic opponent Tom Barret on Tuesday with a leading margin of 53-46.
In declaration to his victory, Walker stated in Waukesha, “Tonight we tell Wisconsin, we tell our country, and we tell people all across the globe that voters really do want leaders that stand up and make the tough decisions.”
Tuesday marked the finale of a nearing 15-month dispute that Democrats and union leaders pitted against fiscally conservative Republicans after Walker passed a bill that took collective bargaining rights away from unions in an attempt to close the state’s budgeting gap. Back in January, there were 900,000 signatories—400,000 more than necessary—present to kick off a recall.
According to CNN, there were tens of thousands demonstrators in opposition to Walker surrounding the grounds of the state capitol.
Crowds booed Walker as he mentioned about speaking to Barrett on the phone. In his speech, Walker added that he hoped to meet with Democratic and Republican lawmakers. “Tomorrow is the day after the election and tomorrow we are not longer opponents…We are one as Wisconsinites.”
Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, acknowledged Walker stating, voters wanting to cut spending “echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin.” Many other Republicans were present in Wisconsin to campaign for Walker in Wisconsin including fellow governors Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Bobby Jindal, and Bob McDonnel.
Walker received support not only from Republicans but important Democrats as well, former president Bill Clinton as well as Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Govenor Martin O’Malley. Romney, though, was not present. He did state, “Governor Walker has demonstrated over the past year what sound fiscal policies can do to turn an economy around, and I believe that in November voters across the country will demonstrate that they want the same in Washington, D.C.”
Along with Walker, four other Wisconsin senators faced recall votes. They, too, were saved. Many efforts have been made throughout the years to recall U.S. governors, but Walker was one of three who made it past the recall votes.
Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, said, “Recall was never meant to be used just because you don’t like the way the other side is governing.”
