Scott Walker (politician)

Walker was born on November 2, 1967, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the elder of two sons of Patricia Ann "Pat" (née Fitch; born December 30, 1938), a bookkeeper, and Llewellyn Scott "Llew" Walker (May 19, 1939 – October 7, 2018), a Baptist minister.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2018/10/07/llewellyn-scott-walker-dies-during-sons-re-election-campaign/1558113002/|title = Llewellyn Scott Walker, father of Gov. Scott Walker, dies|last = Richard|first = Erin|website = Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date = October 7, 2018|access-date = October 20, 2018}}

The family moved to Plainfield, Iowa, in 1970, where Llew worked as pastor in the local Baptist Church, TBC, and served on the municipal council.Jason Stein (January 31, 2015) [http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/walker-learned-early-lessons-at-fathers-iowa-church-b99435429z1-290442461.html "Scott Walker learned early lessons at father's Iowa church"], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; accessed September 24, 2016. When Walker was ten years old, the family moved to Delavan, Wisconsin, where his father continued to work as a minister, at the First Baptist Church of Delavan.{{cite news|last1=Gonyea|first1=Dan|title=Now On The National Stage, Scott Walker Is Still A Guy From Delavan|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/07/17/423809006/now-on-the-national-stage-scott-walker-is-still-a-guy-from-delavan|access-date=April 28, 2018|work=All Things Considered|publisher=National Public Radio|date=July 17, 2015}} In 1985, when Walker was in high school, he attended and represented Wisconsin at two weeks of American Legion-sponsored training in leadership and government at Badger Boys State in Wisconsin and Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. While at the event, he met President Ronald Reagan{{cite web | title=Scott Walker Biography | url=http://www.biography.com/people/scott-walker-20941829#synopsis | publisher=Biography.com | access-date=November 24, 2016 | archive-date=August 15, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815184228/http://www.biography.com/people/scott-walker-20941829#synopsis | url-status=dead }} and had a photo taken with him.{{cite web | last1=Viser | first1=Matt | title=Scott Walker's Political Ambitions Fostered at Marquette | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/11/scott-walker-dropped-out-marquette-but-his-education-campus-politics-set-him-ambitious-path/m41BjqIY9xAltlCgR6z5CM/story.html | date=February 11, 2015 | work=The Boston Globe | access-date=November 25, 2016}} Walker has credited the experience with solidifying his interest in public service and giving him the "political bug". He attained the highest rank, Eagle Scout, in the Boy Scouts of America, and graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1986.

In the fall of 1986, Walker enrolled at Marquette University. Within a few weeks of beginning his collegiate studies, Walker became a student senator and led a committee investigating alleged misuse of funds by student leaders.

During the same year, he volunteered for Tommy Thompson's gubernatorial campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://projects.jsonline.com/news/2016/11/27/scott-walkers-path-to-power.html|title=Scott Walker's path to power |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=2016-11-27 }} In 1988, Walker lost a "fiercely-fought" campaign for student government president.{{cite web|last1=Umhoefer|first1=Dave|title=Solving the "mystery" of Scott Walker's college years and entry into politics|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/article/2013/dec/18/scott-walker-early-years|publisher=Politifact|access-date=May 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519181456/http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/article/2013/dec/18/scott-walker-early-years|archive-date=May 19, 2015|date=December 18, 2013}} Walker led the anti-abortion Students for Life group at Marquette.{{cite web | last1=Ben-Meir | first1=Ilan | title=Scott Walker's Remarkably Consistent, Two Decade Fight Against Abortion | url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/ilanbenmeir/scott-walkers-remarkably-consistent-two-decade-fight-against | date=August 25, 2015 | publisher=BuzzFeed | access-date=November 24, 2016}}

Walker discontinued his studies at Marquette in the spring of 1990, having earned 94 of the 128 minimum credits needed to graduate.{{Cite web|title=Solving the "mystery" of Scott Walker's college years and entry into politics|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/article/2013/dec/18/scott-walker-early-years|access-date=July 29, 2015}} He left in good standing with a 2.59/4.0 grade point average, but without having obtained a degree.{{cite news|last1=Viser|first1=Matt|title=Scott Walker's political ambitions fostered at Marquette|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/11/scott-walker-dropped-out-marquette-but-his-education-campus-politics-set-him-ambitious-path/m41BjqIY9xAltlCgR6z5CM/story.html|access-date=July 29, 2015|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners LLC|date=February 11, 2015}} Walker has said that he dropped out of college when he received a full-time job offer from the American Red Cross.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Zeke J.|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: A 2016 Contender But Not A College Graduate|url=https://swampland.time.com/2013/11/19/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-a-2016-contender-but-not-a-college-graduate/|access-date=May 1, 2015|magazine=Time|date=November 19, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Scott Walker says he unsealed his records from college: False|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/mar/12/scott-walker/where-are-scott-walkers-student-records|website=politicfact|access-date=March 16, 2015}}

In 1990, at age 22, Walker ran for Milwaukee's 7th District seat in the Wisconsin State Assembly. He won the Republican nomination, but lost in the general election to incumbent Democrat Gwen Moore, receiving less than one-third of the vote. In 1993, Walker moved to Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee, and ran in a special election in the more conservative 14th legislative district, based around Wauwatosa. He defeated Democrat Chris Ament, son of then-Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament.

During the campaign, Walker backed welfare reform and opposed the expansion of mass transit. He supported a cap on state spending and said that the law on resolving labor disputes with local government employees needed to be reformed. Walker received the endorsements of Wisconsin Right to Life and The Milwaukee Sentinel, which called him a fiscal conservative and noted his anti-abortion, tough-on-crime, and pro-welfare reform positions. He was re-elected four times, serving until 2002 when he became a county executive.

While in the Assembly, Walker was interested in criminal justice matters and chaired the Committees on Correctional Facilities, and Corrections and the Courts. Over the years, he served on a number of other committees, including Health, Census and Redistricting, Financial Institutions, and Housing. As a freshman legislator in 1993, he co-sponsored right-to-work legislation.{{cite news|title=Leading from Behind: How Years of Denials Got Scott Walker In Position to Approve Right-to-Work|first=David|last=Weigel|date=February 23, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-02-23/leading-from-behind-how-years-of-denials-got-scott-walker-in-position-to-approve-right-to-work|publisher=Bloomberg News}}{{cite news|title=Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Backs Anti-Union Bill In State Senate: State Inches Toward Right-To-Work|first=Cole|last=Stangler|date=February 23, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015|newspaper=International Business Times|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/wisconsin-governor-scott-walker-backs-anti-union-bill-state-senate-state-inches-1825122}}{{cite news|title=Walker: Lawmakers Should Wait Until Budget's Passage Before Acting On Right-To-Work|date=December 5, 2014|first=Shawn|last=Johnson|access-date=May 15, 2015|publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio|url=http://www.wpr.org/walker-lawmakers-should-wait-until-budgets-passage-acting-right-work}}{{cite news|title=Scott Walker keeps changing his mind|first=Leslie|last=Larson|date=March 11, 2015|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-walker-keeps-changing-his-mind-2015-3|access-date=May 15, 2015|publisher=Business Insider}} In 1999 he advocated for a truth-in-sentencing bill that increased prison time for some crimes and eliminated parole for others. Walker was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at the time, and credited the organization for much of the success of the legislation.Keyes, Scott. [http://www.thenation.com/article/199369/how-scott-walker-built-career-sending-wisconsin-inmates-private-prisons# "How Scott Walker Built a Career Sending Wisconsin Inmates to Private Prisons"], thenation.com, February 26, 2015; retrieved February 27, 2015.

In 2001, he sponsored a bill to prevent pharmacists from being disciplined for refusing to fill prescriptions for emergency contraception and was a supporter of a bill to require voters to show photo ID at the polls. According to research by two political analysts, Walker was more conservative than about 90% of his peers in the assembly and about 80% of the Republicans in the assembly.{{cite news|title=Scott Walker's legislative years: A staunch conservative, then as now|first=Craig|last=Gilbert|date=February 28, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/294519901.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

Walker had a pro-life record in the Assembly. With the exception of some bills while Walker was running for Milwaukee County Executive, Walker either sponsored or cosponsored all but three bills that would have restricted abortions.

In 2001–02, Walker and fellow Assemblymember Michael Huebsch objected to the hiring of a state employee, Rev. Jamyi Witch, on the basis of her religious beliefs as a Wiccan.{{cite web |url=http://www.au.org/media/church-and-state/archives/2002/02/aub.html |title=Wiccan prison chaplain sparks controversy in Wisconsin |work=Americans United Bulletin |date=February 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512184102/http://www.au.org/media/church-and-state/archives/2002/02/aub.html |access-date=November 8, 2014 |archive-date=May 12, 2009 }}{{cite news |last=Toosi |first=Nahal |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20011209&slug=witch09 |title=Wiccan Rev. Witch raises some brows at Wisconsin prison |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=December 9, 2001 |via=Seattle Times }} Walker claimed that Witch's hiring as a prison chaplain raised "both personal and political concerns" because she "practice[d] a religion that actually offends people of many other faiths". Walker and Huebsch were ultimately unsuccessful in terminating Witch's chaplaincy or employment.

File:Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in 2009.jpg

Walker became Milwaukee County Executive in a special election run in April 2002, after the former County Executive, Tom Ament, resigned in the wake of a county pension-fund scandal. Walker was elected to a four-year term in 2004, winning 57% of the vote to defeat former state budget director, David Riemer. Although in a liberal county and running for a nonpartisan position, Walker ran openly as a conservative Republican. He won another four-year term in 2008, defeating State Senator Lena Taylor with 59% of the vote. Upon first being elected, Walker became the youngest person and the first Republican ever elected to the position{{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Kate | title=Timeline: The Life and Career of Scott Walker | url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/timeline-the-life-and-career-of-scott-walker/html_4c4013e6-9bfe-5cdd-b494-2ba6bcf88827.html | date=July 19, 2015 | work=Wisconsin State Journal | access-date=November 24, 2016}} and remains the only Republican to hold this office to date.{{cite web|title=Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R) at the Iowa Freedom Summit|website=c-span.org|location=Recorded speech. Comment begins at 8:40|url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4525006/wisconsin-governor-scott-walker-iowa-freedom-summit|access-date=March 4, 2015}}

Walker won the office on a platform of fiscal conservatism, promising to give back part of his own salary. He said that his voluntary give-back gave him moral authority to make cuts in the budget. He returned $60,000 per year (slightly less than half of his salary) during his first term, and reduced his give-back to $10,000 per year during his second term.

During his eight years in office, there were disputes with the county board "over taxes, privatization of public services, quality of parks and public buildings, and delivery of social services", according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The County Board approved several budgets over Walker's veto and he never submitted a budget with a higher property tax than the board had approved the prior year. During Walker's tenure the number of county employees was reduced by over 20% and the $3.5 million county deficit was turned into a surplus.{{cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2013/nov/14/scott-walker/gov-scott-walker-says-he-cut-staffing-20-percent-d|title=Gov. Scott Walker says he cut staffing 20 percent during his tenure as Milwaukee County executive|date=November 14, 2013|publisher=Politifact|access-date=January 10, 2015}} In addition, he cut over $44 million in proposed spending through his veto powers and helped eliminate the waiting list for long-term care for senior citizens.

File:Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2014.jpg

Walker appointed Kevin Kavanaugh, treasurer of the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, as a member of the County Veterans Service Commission.{{cite web|last=Schultze|first=Steve|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/former-walker-appointee-convicted-of-stealing-51000-from-vets-lo775be-173958721.html|title=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=October 12, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2013}} Walker raised funds annually for veterans at the Operation Freedom Benefit, with proceeds to the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Walker's Chief of Staff, Thomas Nardelli, indicated that he went to Walker with concerns about missing money in 2009, and Walker directed him to report it to the district attorney's office. The district attorney did not immediately act but later launched a "John Doe" investigation. Kavanaugh and four others were arrested for theft of funds. Kavanaugh was convicted and sentenced to 21 months in prison.{{cite web|last=Schultze|first=Steve|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/former-walker-appointee-convicted-of-stealing-51000-from-vets-lo775be-173958721.html|title=Ex-Walker appointee convicted of stealing $51,000 from veterans|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=October 12, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://radio.foxnews.com/2012/12/08/republican-aide-gets-two-years-for-embezzling-from-fund-for-soldiers-families|title=Republican aide gets two years for embezzling from fund for soldiers|publisher=Fox News|date=December 8, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2013}}

Tim Russell, employed by Walker in a number of posts, was implicated in the same investigation; he was charged in January 2012 and pleaded guilty in November 2012 to diverting more than $21,000 to his personal bank account. In 2010, Walker's last year as Milwaukee County executive, Russell was his deputy chief of staff and Milwaukee Housing Director.{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/former-walker-aide-pleads-guilt-to-embezzlement-charge-in-john-doe-iq7rgfb-181418561.html|title=Former Walker aide pleads guilty to embezzlement charge in John Doe|author=Schultze, Steve|work=Journal-Sentinel|date=November 9, 2012}} Walker was not charged with any wrongdoing.[http://watchdog.org/63473/wirep-walker-untouched-in-latest-john-doe-charges-in-wisconsin Walker untouched in latest charges], watchdog.org; accessed October 28, 2013.

{{main|2006 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

While county executive, Walker became a candidate, in February 2005, in the 2006 race for Wisconsin governor.{{cite web | last1=Isenstadt | first1=Alex | title=The Crushing Defeat that Shaped Scott Walker | url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/the-crushing-defeat-that-shaped-scott-walker-116490 | date=March 29, 2015 | publisher=Politico | access-date=November 24, 2016}} He dropped out on March 24, 2006, after about 14 months of campaigning, citing fundraising difficulties. Walker threw his support to fellow Republican Mark Andrew Green, who won the Republican primary unopposed, and Walker actively campaigned for him during the general election. Green lost the general election, in November 2006, to the incumbent Democrat, Jim Doyle. Despite Green's loss, Walker's strong support for him helped increase Walker's favorability with the state GOP and positioned him as the frontrunner for the 2010 election.

{{Further|2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

File:Scott Walker primary victory 2010.jpg

Walker was an early favorite for the 2010 Republican Party endorsement for Wisconsin governor, winning straw polls of Wisconsin GOP convention attendees in 2007 and 2008. He announced his candidacy in late April 2009 after several months of previewing his campaign themes of reduced taxes and reduced spending to Republican audiences around the state. He criticized the 2009–2011 Wisconsin state budget as too big given the slow economy. In 2009 and 2010, Americans for Prosperity helped raise Walker's statewide profile, inviting him to address its events and rallies throughout the state.{{cite news|title=Scott Walker Is King of Kochworld|date=February 17, 2015|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-02-17/scott-walker-is-king-of-kochworld|access-date=April 20, 2015|first=Julie|last=Bykowicz|work=Bloomberg News}} Walker won the Wisconsin GOP convention endorsement on May 22, 2010, receiving 91% of the votes cast by delegates. He won the Republican nomination in the primary election of September 14, 2010, receiving 59% of the popular vote, while former U.S. Representative Mark Neumann garnered 39%.

File:Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker runs for Governor of Wisconsin in October 2010.jpg

As part of his campaign platform, Walker said he would create 250,000 jobs in his first term through a program that would include tax cuts for small businesses, capital gains tax cuts, and income tax cuts. He proposed cutting state employee wages and benefits to help pay for these tax cuts. Critics argued that his proposals would help only the wealthy and that cutting the salaries of public employees would adversely affect state services, while supporters argued that tax cuts for businesses would spur the economy and create jobs.{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/105693663.html|title=Walker tells MMAC he supports repealing corporate income tax|author=Stein, Jason|date=October 25, 2010|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

Walker indicated he would refuse an $810 million award from the federal Department of Transportation to build a high speed railroad line from Madison to Milwaukee as he believed it would cost the state $7.5 million per year to operate and would not prove profitable. This was in spite of offers by the mayor of Madison and the Dane County executive to help absorb costs the state might have incurred.[http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/capitol-report/capitol-report-madison-mayor-lashes-out-at-walker-over-high/article_07b1f032-03da-11e0-976c-001cc4c002e0.html "Mayor of Madison lashes out at Walker"], host.madison.com; accessed November 27, 2014. The award was later rescinded and split among other states. This cost the state at least $60 million for rail repairs federal funds would have covered.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121871844.html Report on rail repair federal funds rejected by Governor Walker], jsonline.com; accessed November 27, 2014.

Social issues played a part in the campaign. Walker has stated that he is "100% pro-life" and that he believes life should be protected from conception to natural death. He opposes abortion, including in cases of rape and incest. He supports abstinence-only sex education in the public schools and opposes state supported clinical services that provide birth control and testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases to teens under age 18 without parental consent. He supports the right of pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for contraceptives on religious or moral grounds. He supports adult stem cell research but opposes human embryonic stem cell research.

As an opponent of same-sex marriage, he opposed a law that allowed gay couples to register with counties to get certain benefits, such as hospital visitation rights. He later stated that his position on same-sex marriage was no longer relevant because Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage had been overturned by a federal court.{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/noquarter/scott-walker-declines-to-say-where-he-stands-on-gay-marriage-today-b99290317z1-262952941.html|title=Walker declines to define stand on gay marriage today|author=Bice, Daniel|date=June 12, 2014|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}} Walker said he would sign an Arizona-style immigration bill, which would allow local police to stop suspected illegal immigrants, if he were elected.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Scott_Walker_Immigration.htm|title=Scott Walker on Immigration|publisher=Ontheissues.org|access-date=June 19, 2015}}

On November 2, 2010, his 43rd birthday, Walker won the general election with 52% of total votes cast, while Democrat Tom Barrett received 46%. His running mate was Rebecca Kleefisch, a former Milwaukee television news reporter. Walker's victory came amid a series of Wisconsin GOP victories, with conservative Republican Ron Johnson winning the contested U.S. Senate seat, and with the GOP gaining majorities in the state's U.S. House delegation, State Assembly, and State Senate.{{cite web | title=Wisconsin: GOP Wins Senate, House, Gov. Seats, Ousting Feingold | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-11-02-wi-full-election-results_N.htm | date=November 3, 2010 | publisher=USA Today (from the Associated Press) | access-date=November 24, 2016}}{{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Jason | last2=Johnson | first2=Annysa | title=Republicans Take Over State Senate, Assembly | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106582898.html | date=November 3, 2010 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | access-date=November 24, 2016}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title= 2010 election for Governor of Wisconsin {{cite web |title=Election 2010; Wisconsin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/wisconsin.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=18 November 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker

|votes = 1,128,941

|percentage = 52.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Barrett

|votes = 1,004,303

|percentage = 46.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Main|2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election}}

File:Governor Scott Walker Press Conference.jpg

After the contentious collective bargaining dispute, Walker's disapproval ratings varied between 50% and 51% while his approval ratings varied between 47% and 49% in 2011.{{cite news|first=Patrick|last=Marley|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/130173963.html|title=New poll reflects divide on bargaining limits|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2011/10/wisconsin-recall-prospects-dimming.html|title=Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming|publisher=Public Policy Polling|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2012}} The effort to recall Walker officially began on November 15, 2011.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/walker-recall-effort-to-start-at-midnight-tn31qjo-133810473.html "Walker recall effort kicks off"], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 15, 2011; retrieved December 17, 2011.

Walker reportedly raised more than $30 million during the recall effort,{{cite news|title=Why Scott Walker won the Wisconsin recall|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 5, 2012|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-scott-walker-won-the-wisconsin-recall/2012/06/05/gJQAfbOGHV_blog.html|access-date=June 28, 2015|first=Chris|last=Cillizza}} with a significant portion from out of state.{{cite news|title=Gov. Scott Walker's Big Money Backers Include 13 Out-Of-State Billionaires|work=Forbes|date=June 5, 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2012/06/05/gov-scott-walkers-big-money-backers-include-13-out-of-state-billionaires|access-date=June 28, 2015|first=Clare|last=O'Connor}} Commentators claimed the amount of money raised was "illustrating the national significance both political parties saw in the recall fight".[http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/with-half-the-money-coming-from-out-of-state-walker/article_72b7126c-2770-11e1-8ffb-001871e3ce6c.html "With half the money coming from out of state, Walker far outraising recall organizers"], Wisconsin State Journal, December 15, 2011; retrieved December 17, 2011. In March 2012, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board announced there were more than 900,000 valid signatures to force a recall vote, well above the required minimum of 540,208.{{cite web|last=Marley|first=Patrick|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/gab-staff-finds-more-than-900000-valid-signatures-to-recall-walker-ah4ptmf-144948425.html|title=GAB announces signatures|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=March 29, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2013}}

In February 2012, Walker's campaign requested additional time for the petition signatures to be verified, claiming about 20% of the signatures were not valid. Democrats argued that even if 20% of the signatures were disregarded they still had obtained 180,000 more signatures than required to initiate the recall. Wisconsin Democratic Party Communications Director Graeme Zielinski claimed Walker was "delaying the inevitable".{{cite news|last=Bauer|first=Scott|title=Governor Scott Walker seeks more time for review of recall signatures|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120216/GPG0101/202160588/Governor-Scott-Walker-seeks-more-time-review-recall-signatures|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125022318/http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120216/GPG0101/202160588/Governor-Scott-Walker-seeks-more-time-review-recall-signatures|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|access-date=February 17, 2012}} On February 17, 2012, Dane County Judge Richard Niess, who had signed the recall petition, denied Walker's request for additional time.{{cite news|url=http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/judge-tells-walker-no-more-extensions-on-the-recall.php|title=Judge Tells Walker: No More Extensions On The Recall|first=Eric|last=Kleefeld|date=February 17, 2012|work=Talking Points Memo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229201012/http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/judge-tells-walker-no-more-extensions-on-the-recall.php|archive-date=February 29, 2012|df=mdy-all}} On March 30, 2012, the Government Accountability Board unanimously ruled in favor of the recall election. The recall elections for both Walker and Kleefisch took place on June 5, 2012.{{cite news|title=Scott Walker Recall Election Ordered By Government Accountability Board|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/30/scott-walker-recall_n_1391209.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=March 30, 2012|date=March 30, 2012}}

During the Republican primary election for the recall, Walker received 626,538 votes. In the Democratic primary, all of the Democratic candidates combined received 670,288, with the winner, Tom Barrett, receiving 390,109, a majority. On June 5, 2012, Walker won the recall election.{{cite news|last=Keating|first=Frank|title=Book Review: 'Unintimidated'|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/2/book-review-unintimidated|newspaper=The Washington Times|access-date=December 14, 2013}} This was only the third gubernatorial recall election in U.S. history.{{cite web | title=Wisconsin's Walker Survives Recall by Wide Margin | url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsins-walker-survives-recall-by-wide-margin/ | date=June 6, 2012 | publisher=Fox News Channel | access-date=November 24, 2016}} Walker won the recall, his second face-off with Barrett, by a slightly larger margin (53% to 46%) than in the 2010 election (52% to 46%) and became the first U.S. governor to win a recall election.{{cite web|last=C-SPAN|title=Gov. Walker Survives Recall Election; Defeats Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett|url=http://www.c-span.org/Events/Gov-Walker-Survives-Recall-Election-Defeats-Milwaukee-Mayor-Tom-Barrett/10737431254-1|access-date=July 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618015337/http://www.c-span.org/Events/Gov-Walker-Survives-Recall-Election-Defeats-Milwaukee-Mayor-Tom-Barrett/10737431254-1/|archive-date=June 18, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Montopoli|first=Brian|title=CBS News: Scott Walker wins Wisconsin recall election|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-walker-wins-wisconsin-recall-election/|newspaper=CBS News|date=June 5, 2012}}

By the end of the recall election, Walker had a national network of conservative donors and groups supporting him. Nearly 300,000 people donated to his recall campaign, which garnered roughly $37 million. Two-thirds of the contributions came from outside Wisconsin. Walker, or the conservative causes he supports, are also supported by conservative donors and groups including Michael W. Grebe, Diane Hendricks, and the Bradley Foundation, founder of the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute and the MacIver Institute; and David H. Koch and Charles Koch, initial funders of Americans for Prosperity.{{cite news|author1=Patrick Healy and Monica Davey|title=Behind Scott Walker, a Longstanding Conservative Alliance Against Unions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/us/politics/behind-scott-walker-a-longstanding-conservative-alliance-against-unions.html|access-date=June 8, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=June 8, 2015|quote=Mr. Walker had a national network of conservative donors and groups behind him. Almost 300,000 people donated to his recall campaign, which raised about $37 million, two-thirds of it from outside Wisconsin.}}

{{Main|2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

File:Scott Walker 2014 Wisconsin Governor Victory Party.jpg

In his third election in four years, Walker faced Democrat Mary Burke to determine the governor of Wisconsin.{{cite news|last=Gold|first=Matea|title=Republican Scott Walker wins hard-fought Wisconsin gubernatorial race|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 4, 2014|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/republican-scott-walker-wins-hard-fought-wisconsin-gubernatorial-race/2014/11/04/d8d86a36-532e-11e4-892e-602188e70e9c_story.html|access-date=February 27, 2015}} Wisconsin labor unions, who helped organize the 2012 Wisconsin recall election, donated funds to boost Burke's campaign. Walker received help from a number of conservative donors. The polling through most of the race was close and no candidate was a definitive favorite.{{cite web | last1=Rocha | first1=Polo | title=How Scott Walker Won His Third Governor's Race in Four Years | url=https://badgerherald.com/news/2014/11/06/how-scott-walker-won-his-third-governors-race-in-four-years/ | date=November 6, 2014 | work=The Badger Herald | access-date=November 24, 2016}} The gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, and Walker won re-election by 6 percent of the vote.{{cite news|last=McCormack|first=John|title=Walker Wins Again|publisher=The Weekly Standard|date=November 17, 2014|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/walker-wins-again_818388.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108050347/http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/walker-wins-again_818388.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 8, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2015}}

{{Main|2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election}}

Walker sought a third term in the 2018 elections. His opponent, Democratic Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, defeated him in the election.{{cite tweet|title= BREAKING: Democrat Tony Evers wins election for governor in Wisconsin. #APracecall at 1:24 a.m. CST. @AP election coverage: http://apne.ws/APPolitics #Election2018 #WIelection |user=AP_Politics|author=AP Politics|number=1060070757550702594|access-date=2018-11-07}}

File:Historic Tax Credit Bill Signing.jpg]]

Walker took the oath of office to become the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011.

By January 25, 2011, the state legislature passed a series of Walker-backed bills, the largest of which would cut taxes for businesses at "a two-year cost of $67 million", according to the Associated Press.{{cite news|author=Bauer, Scott|date=January 26, 2011|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-25/wisconsin-legislature-set-to-pass-tax-cuts.html|title=Wisconsin Legislature passes tax cut|agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128041240/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-25/wisconsin-legislature-set-to-pass-tax-cuts.html|archive-date=January 28, 2011}}

Walker became a figure of national recognition and controversy after he proposed the "Wisconsin budget repair bill" in 2011. The bill, which would eventually be passed by the Wisconsin Legislature, significantly changed the collective bargaining process for most public employees in Wisconsin. Opponents of Walker's actions launched a push for a recall election and received enough support to force an election on June 5, 2012, the first time a Governor of Wisconsin had ever faced recall.{{cite news|last=Davey|first=Monica|title=Recall Election for Wisconsin Governor Who Battled Unions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/31/us/wisconsin-approves-recall-election-for-governor-walker.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 30, 2012}}

During Walker's first term as governor, the state's $3.6 billion budget deficit was turned into a surplus{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2013/nov/15/scott-walker/gov-scott-walker-says-he-turned-36-billion-deficit|title=Gov. Scott Walker says he turned $3.6 billion deficit into a $500 million surplus|date=November 15, 2013|access-date=February 28, 2015|website=Politifact}} and taxes were cut by $2 billion.{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2014/mar/12/scott-walker/gov-scott-walker-says-he-has-generated-2-billion-t|title=Gov. Scott Walker says he has generated $2 billion in tax cuts|date=March 12, 2014|access-date=February 28, 2015|website=Politifact}} More than 100,000 jobs were created in the state of Wisconsin.{{cite web|last1=Horsley|first1=Scott|title=Wisconsin Voters Divided On Whether Job Growth Is Enough| website=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/04/345825909/wisconsin-voters-divided-on-whether-job-growth-is-enough|access-date=September 13, 2014}}

{{Further|2011 Wisconsin protests}}

Walker proposed the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill on February 11, 2011, estimated to save Wisconsin $30 million in the current fiscal year and $300 million over the next two years. The bill requires additional contributions by state and local government workers to their health care plans and pensions, amounting to roughly an 8% decrease in the average government worker's take home pay. The bill eliminated, for most state workers, other than certain public safety workers, many collective bargaining rights aside from seeking pay increases, and then not above the rate of inflation, unless approved by a voter referendum. Under the bill, unions have to win yearly votes to continue representing government workers and could no longer have dues automatically deducted from government workers' paychecks. Certain law enforcement personnel and firefighters are exempt from the bargaining changes.

On January 18, 2011, days after Walker's inauguration, Beloit businesswoman and Walker supporter Diane Hendricks asked him, "Any chance we'll ever get to be a completely red state and work on these unions and become a right-to-work (state)?", and he replied:

Well, we're going to start in a couple weeks with our budget adjustment bill. The first step is, we're going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee unions, because you use divide and conquer. So for us the base we've got for that is the fact that we've got{{snd}}budgetarily we can't afford not to. If we have collective bargaining agreements in place, there's no way not only the state but local governments can balance things out. So you think city of Beloit, city of Janesville, any of the school districts, that opens the door once we do that. That's your bigger problem right there.{{cite news|last1=Marley|first1=Patrick|title=A transcript of the Walker-Hendricks union discussion|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/a-transcript-of-the-walkerhendricks-union-discussion-805952v-151052965.html|access-date=March 16, 2015|agency=Journal Sentinel|date=May 10, 2012}}{{cite news|date=May 10, 2012|title=In film, Walker talks of 'divide and conquer' union strategy|first1=Jason|last1=Stein|first2=Patrick|last2=Marley|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/in-film-walker-talks-of-divide-and-conquer-strategy-with-unions-8o57h6f-151049555.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=May 12, 2015}}

After videotape of the interaction was released in May 2012, Walker's opponents said Walker had revealed his intention to target private sector unions and pursue right-to-work legislation. Walker said he was not pursuing right-to-work legislation and that in his 2011 comment to Hendricks he was referring to his responsibility as governor to defend taxpayers from unions that he believed were frustrating resolution of the state's budget deficit.{{cite news|publisher=Fox News|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/video-walker-explains-divide-conquer-strategy|date=May 11, 2012|title=Video: Walker explains divide, conquer strategy|access-date=May 12, 2015}}{{cite news|title=Scott Walker Recall: Governor Outlines 'Divide And Conquer' Union Strategy In Video|first=Jeremy|last=White|date=May 11, 2012|access-date=May 12, 2015|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/scott-walker-recall-governor-outlines-divide-and-conquer-union-strategy-video-698009|work=International Business Times}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Scott Walker said budget strategy in Wisconsin was 'divide and conquer'|first=Aaron|last=Blake|date=May 11, 2012|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/scott-walker-said-budget-strategy-in-wisconsin-was-divide-and-conquer/2012/05/11/gIQARhmTIU_blog.html|access-date=May 12, 2015}}

In announcing the proposed legislation, Walker said the Wisconsin National Guard and other state agencies were prepared to prevent disruptions in state services. He later explained that police and firefighters were excluded from the changes because he would not jeopardize public safety. Walker stated that the bill was necessary to avoid laying off thousands of state employees and that no one should be surprised by its provisions. Union leaders and Democratic legislators immediately criticized the bill, claiming Walker had never campaigned on doing away with collective bargaining rights. In a media interview a week later, Walker said he was not trying to break the public sector unions, noting that Wisconsin government employees would retain the protections of civil service laws. He said that asking employees to pay half the national average for health care benefits was a modest request. Demonstrators began protesting the proposed bill on February 14, 2011.[http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/on_campus/article_87a7eaa0-3853-11e0-bcc7-001cc4c002e0.html UW-Madison students to Walker: "Don't Break My ♥"], Wisconsin State Journal, February 14, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011. During the sixth day of the protests, leaders of the two largest unions said publicly they were prepared to accept the financial concessions in the bill, but would not agree to the limitations of collective bargaining rights.

On February 17, 2011, all 14 Democratic state senators traveled to Illinois to prevent the passage of the bill by depriving the Senate of the quorum necessary for a vote. The missing legislators said they would not return to Madison unless Walker agreed to remove the limitations on collective bargaining from the bill. Walker warned that if the budget repair bill was not passed by March 1, refinancing of a $165 million state debt would fail, and more cuts would be needed to balance the budget.

By February 20, protestors had undertaken a physical occupation of the Capitol building.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/us/26madison.html|work=The New York Times|first=Steven|last=Greenhouse|title=Delivering Moral Support in a Steady Stream of Pizzas|date=February 25, 2011}} Protestors also covered the walls of the Capitol with thousands of homemade signs.{{cite news|first=Monica |last=Davey |title=Protesters in Wisconsin Say They Are Staying Put |date=February 20, 2011 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/us/21wisconsin.html |access-date=2011-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502214414/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/us/21wisconsin.html?_r=1 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} On February 20, a union organizer participating in the protests said that the protests would continue "as long as it takes." Other union leaders called for teachers to return to work. On February 26, between 70,000 and 100,000 protested the bill in Madison. They were joined by thousands at state capitals around the nation.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-wisconsin-protests-20110227,0,3378088.story|author=Abby Sewell|title=Protesters out in force nationwide to oppose Wisconsin's anti-union bill|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 27, 2011}}

Appearing on Meet the Press on February 27, Walker stated that he did not believe the unions were negotiating in good faith in offering pension and health-care concessions because local unions had recently pushed through contracts with school boards and city councils that did not include contributions to the pensions and health care and that, in one case, a contract even included a pay increase. On February 28, the largest public union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the state labor relations board, claiming that Walker had a duty to negotiate, but had refused. On March 8, private emails dating back to February 28 were released. These emails showed that Governor Walker had tried to negotiate with Democratic legislators, even proposing to allow some collective bargaining rights.{{cite web|url=http://media.journalinteractive.com/documents/Email_exchange_030811.pdf|title=Email exchange|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=August 17, 2011}}

After failing to reach a compromise with Democratic legislators, the Republican-led Senate removed certain fiscal provisions from the bill, allowing it to be passed without the usual quorum requirement. On March 9, 2011, the Wisconsin Senate voted 18–1 to pass the legislation; Senate Democrats remained out of state and did not participate in the vote.{{cite web|url=https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/budget-repair-bill-passes-senate-thursday-vote-set-in-assembly/article_8747fa04-4a74-11e0-8e6b-001cc4c03286.html|title=Budget repair bill passes Senate, Thursday vote set in Assembly|author1=Mary Spicuzza|author2=Clay Barbour |work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=March 10, 2011 }} The Wisconsin Assembly passed the bill one day later by a vote of 53–42. After the Assembly passed the bill, Walker released a statement in which he "applaud[ed] all members of the Assembly for showing up, debating the legislation and participating in democracy".{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/10/wisconsin.budget/index.html|title=Wisconsin Assembly passes bill to curb collective bargaining|website=CNN}} Walker signed the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill into law on March 11, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-signs-anti-union-bill-but-democrats-say-theyre-the-political-victors/|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signs anti-union bill -- but Democrats say they're the political victors|website=CBS News|date=March 11, 2011 }} On March 12, the fourteen Democratic senators who had left the state returned.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-wisconsin-idUSN1227540420110313|work=Reuters|title=Up to 100,000 protest Wisconsin law curbing unions|date=March 12, 2011|first=James B.|last=Kelleher}}{{cite web|url=http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2011/03/united-to-support-wisconsin-workers.html |title=United to Support Wisconsin Workers|date=March 13, 2011|publisher=Wisconsin AFL-CIO}}

The Budget Repair Law was challenged in court. On March 18, Judge Maryann Sumi issued a court order to prohibit publication of the bill by the Secretary of State while legal challenges to it were being considered. On March 26, the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) published the bill. Sumi subsequently clarified that, pursuant to her order, the bill could not be considered to be published until the court challenge was resolved.{{cite news|last=Jonsson|first=Patrik|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0326/Wisconsin-union-gutting-law-took-effect-Saturday-or-did-it|title=Wisconsin union-gutting law took effect Saturday – or did it?|publisher=The Christian Science Monitor|date=March 26, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2012}} On May 26, Judge Sumi struck down the law, finding that its passage violated state open meetings laws.{{cite news|title=Judge voids law limiting union rights|author=Bauer, Scott|agency=Associated Press|date=May 27, 2011|url=http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-27/news/29600429_1_open-meetings-quorum-requirement-protests|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406092734/http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-27/news/29600429_1_open-meetings-quorum-requirement-protests|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2012|work=The Boston Globe}} The Wisconsin Supreme Court reversed Sumi's ruling and upheld the law on June 14, 2011.{{cite news|last=Marley|first=Patrick|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123859034.html|title=Supreme Court reinstates collective bargaining law|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=June 14, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2012}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/wisconsin-supreme-court-walker-union/ |date=June 15, 2011 |title=WI Supreme Court Upholds Scott Walker's Anti-Union Bill|first=Andy|last=Kroll}}

Walker claimed that the Budget Repair Law would "save jobs, protect taxpayers, reform government and help balance the budget."{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wisconsin-lawmakers-pass-anti-union-bill-as-police-remove-protesters|title=Police remove protesters Wisconsin Capitol|publisher=Fox News|date=March 10, 2011|access-date=February 23, 2015}} He added, "You see, despite a lot of the rhetoric we've heard over the past 11 days the bill I put forward isn't aimed at state workers, and it certainly isn't a battle with unions. If it was, we would have eliminated collective bargaining entirely or we would have gone after the private-sector unions."[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116696249.html Excerpt from Walker speech re unions], jsonline.com; accessed February 25, 2015. As part of the cost savings resulting from the changes to collective bargaining, Walker pointed to significant reductions in the premiums for health insurance for many school districts. Prior to the deficit reduction bill, WEA Trust, which is affiliated with Wisconsin's largest teachers union, dominated the market for health insurance for the state's school districts. The changes to collective bargaining made it easier for school districts to change health insurance providers and negotiate better premiums. Walker claimed that Wisconsin school districts have saved an estimated $30 million as a result of the change.{{cite news|last=Kertscher|first=Tom|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/article/2012/may/21/behind-rhetoric-wea-trust-and-school-health-care-c|title=Behind the rhetoric: The WEA Trust and school health care costs|publisher=PolitiFact|date=May 21, 2012|access-date=May 22, 2015}}

In August 2012, the first investigation, which had been launched by John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney, a Democrat, into missing funds, was rolled into a second John Doe probe based on a theory that Governor Walker's campaign had illegally coordinated with conservative groups engaged in issue advocacy during the recall elections.{{cite news|last1=Kittle|first1=MD|url=http://watchdog.org/149217/john-doe-wall-street-journal-investigation|title='Never-ending' John Doe never ended, WSJ reports|newspaper=Wisconsin Reporter|date=June 9, 2014|access-date=April 13, 2015}}

The initial John Doe judge, retired Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara A. Kluka, overseeing the John Doe investigation issued 30 subpoenas and 5 search warrants. She also issued a secrecy order which meant those being investigated were legally bound from discussing any facet of the investigation publicly.[https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304799404579155953286552832 "Wisconsin Political Speech Raid"], Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2013; accessed May 22, 2015. On October 29, 2013, she recused herself from the investigation without explanation.{{cite web|url=http://watchdog.org/113658/judge-investigation-democrat|title=EXCLUSIVE: Judge in Democrat-led John Doe probe recuses herself|work=Watchdog.org|access-date=May 10, 2015}} Kluka's replacement, Judge Gregory Peterson, quashed several subpoenas in January 2014, saying "there was no probable cause shown that they violated campaign finance laws".{{cite web|url=http://watchdog.org/115840/judge-milwaukee-investigation|title=Sources: New judge named in Democrat-led secret probe|work=Watchdog.org|access-date=May 22, 2015}}

On July 16, 2015, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4–2 that Walker did not illegally collaborate with conservative groups during the recall campaigns. Writing for the majority in the case, Justice Michael Gableman stated: "To be clear, this conclusion ends the John Doe investigation because the special prosecutor's legal theory is unsupported in either reason or law," he said, "Consequently, the investigation is closed."{{cite news|last1=Hensch|first1=Mark|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/248162-walker-cleared-in-campaign-finance-probe/|title=Court ends Walker campaign finance probe|work=The Hill|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015}} In March 2017, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against the investigators of the case.{{cite web | title=Federal Judge Dismisses Governor Scott Walker-Related John Doe Lawsuit | url=http://fox6now.com/2017/03/16/federal-judge-dismisses-governor-scott-walker-related-john-doe-lawsuit/ | date=March 16, 2017 | publisher=WITI | access-date=March 22, 2017}}

Wisconsin faced an anticipated deficit of approximately $3.6 billion in the 2012–2013 budget cycle{{cite news|publisher=Reuters|title=Wisconsin boosts 3-year rev projection by $636 mln|date=May 11, 2011|author=Pierog, Karen|quote=The new revenue projection comes as the state wrestles with a $3.6 billion hole in its upcoming two-year budget.|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/wisconsin-revenue-idUKN1124356120110511|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109231958/http://uk.reuters.com/article/wisconsin-revenue-idUKN1124356120110511|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 9, 2016|access-date=August 3, 2011}} which must be balanced according to state law. Walker's proposed budget cut $834 million in state aid for K–12 education, which would be a 7.9% reduction from the prior budget. He proposed a 5.5% decrease in the maximum amount of funding school districts can receive from state aid and property taxes, which would limit how much property taxes could be increased to compensate for the reduction in state aid. The budget lowered state capital gains taxes for investments in Wisconsin businesses. It increased spending on health care by $1.3 billion to cover increased costs for Medicaid, and increased transportation funding by $410.5 million.{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Jason|title=Walker's budget cuts would touch most Wisconsinites|publisher=Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel|date=March 1, 2011|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117154428.html|access-date=January 12, 2015}}

File:Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker speaking at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).jpg]]

Walker's proposed budget for fiscal 2013–2015 froze spending on public schools and tightened the income requirements for Medicaid recipients. It proposed an increase in funding for fighting domestic violence, mental health care, higher education, and job training. It also included a $343 million cut in income taxes and an expansion of the state's school voucher program.{{cite news|last=Hall|first=Dee|title=Gov. Scott Walker to stump for budget that includes income tax cut, school voucher expansion|publisher=The Journal Times|date=February 21, 2013|url=http://journaltimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-scott-walker-to-stump-for-budget-that-includes-income/article_b09dc5fd-8c6f-58b1-b9ac-e14b8a10c1e3.html|access-date=February 5, 2015}}

Walker's proposed budget for fiscal 2015–2017 included a $300 million cut to the University of Wisconsin System, while holding funding flat for K–12 public schools and continuing to expand the school voucher program. It included a plan to borrow $1.3 billion to fund improvements to roads and infrastructure, and proposed drug testing for recipients of public benefits like Medicaid and food stamps.{{cite news|title=Scott Walker unveils Wisconsin budget|work=CBS News|date=February 4, 2015|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-walker-unveils-wisconsin-budget|access-date=February 5, 2015}}

On May 13, 2011, the Walker administration petitioned the Dane County Circuit Court for permission to withdraw the state as a defendant from Appling v. Doyle, which was a challenge to the state's domestic partner registry.{{cite web|last=Marley|first=Patrick|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121956273.html|title=Walker seeks to stop defense of state's domestic partner registry|publisher=Jsonline.com|date=May 16, 2011|access-date=December 4, 2013}}

On May 23, 2011, Walker signed legislation changing the process of creating administrative rules for the state. This measure, which became 2011 Wisconsin Act 21 (and became effective June 8, 2011), changes State agency authority to promulgate rules, provides for gubernatorial approval of proposed rules, revised the requirement of an economic impact analysis for proposed rules and changes venue in the process of judicial review of agency rules.{{Clarify|date=February 2015}}{{cite news|author=Best, Michael|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/wisconsin-governor-walker-signs-regulatory-reform-bill-law|title=Wisconsin Governor Walker Signs Regulatory Reform Bill into Law|publisher=The National Law Review|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=September 1, 2012}}

{{main|2011 Wisconsin Act 23}}

On May 25, 2011, Walker signed a voter ID law that required voters to show a government-issued ID before casting a ballot.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/25/wisconsin-voter-id-law-scott-walker_n_867090.html|title=Wisconsin Voter ID Law Signed By Scott Walker|work=The Huffington Post|agency=Reuters|date=May 25, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2012|first=Nicholas|last=Wing}}

The ACLU filed a lawsuit in federal court to invalidate the law on December 13, 2011, claiming the law violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-13/wisconsin-voter-id-law-unconstitutional-aclu-says-in-suit.html "Wisconsin Voter ID Law Unconstitutional, ACLU Says in Suit"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606220526/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-13/wisconsin-voter-id-law-unconstitutional-aclu-says-in-suit.html |date=June 6, 2013 }}, BusinessWeek.com, December 13, 2011; retrieved December 17, 2011. On April 29, 2014, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman struck down the law, saying it violated the Voting Rights Act and U.S. Constitution.{{cite web|title=Federal judge strikes down Wisconsin's voter ID law|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/federal-judge-strikes-down-wisconsins-voter-id-law-b99258822z1-257200321.html|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=August 18, 2014}}

The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the voter ID law under the Constitution of Wisconsin in two other cases in July 2014.{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|title=Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Voter ID Law|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wisconsin-supreme-court-upholds-voter-id-law-24789178|website=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810161134/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wisconsin-supreme-court-upholds-voter-id-law-24789178|archive-date=August 10, 2014|year=2014}} On September 12, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to be put into effect just 54 days before the 2014 elections, overturning a previous ruling in federal court.{{cite news|title=Federal Appeals Court Permits Wisconsin Voter ID Law|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/13/us/voter-id-law-in-wisconsin-is-permitted-by-us-court.html?smid=fb-share|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 26, 2014|first=Monica|last=Davey|date=September 12, 2014}}

On October 9, 2014, the state was again barred from implementing the voter ID law for 2014 by the U.S. Supreme Court.Liptak, Adam. [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/10/us/politics/supreme-court-blocks-wisconsin-voter-id-law.html?_r=0 "Courts Strike Down Voter ID Laws in Wisconsin and Texas"], nytimes.com, October 9, 2014; retrieved December 26, 2014.Barnes, Robert. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-blocks-wisconsin-voter-id-law/2014/10/09/e52af8fe-4ff4-11e4-8c24-487e92bc997b_story.html "Supreme Court Blocks Wisconsin Voter ID Law"], WashingtonPost.com; October 9, 2014; retrieved December 26, 2014. On March 23, 2015, the Supreme Court denied writ of certiorari, thus ruling in favor of the state of Wisconsin's new stricter voter ID law.{{cite news|title=U.S. top court rejects challenge to Wisconsin voter ID law|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/us-top-court-rejects-challenge-to-wisconsin-voter-id-law/ar-BBiBVmH?ocid=ansnewsreu11|publisher=Reuters|date=March 23, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2015}}

In January 2012, Walker returned a $37.6 million federal grant meant to set up a health exchange in Wisconsin for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Walker said "Stopping the encroachment of Obamacare in our state, which has the potential to have a devastating impact on Wisconsin's economy, is a top priority." Walker rejected an $11 million federal grant designed to improve Medicaid enrollment systems. It can take up to 3 months to determine whether an applicant qualifies for the program. If the applicant does not qualify, the state must pay the medical costs for the first three months. The Walker administration previously said it wants to end the practice of presuming some applicants are eligible and go to a real-time system for determining eligibility. Walker rejected an expansion of Medicaid coverage for the state, but instead reduced the eligibility requirements for the state's BadgerCare program.Spicuzza, Mary. [http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/legislature-s-budget-committee-rejects-medicaid-expansion/article_764dc436-c4a7-5d8e-89d0-39ffa09c7f8d.html "Legislature's budget committee rejects Medicaid expansion"], Wisconsin State Journal, June 4, 2013.

On April 2, 2012, Walker signed a law to fund evaluation of the reading skills of kindergartners as part of an initiative to ensure that students are reading at or above grade level by 3rd grade. The law also created a system for evaluating teachers and principals based in part on the performance of their students. It specified that student performance metrics must be based on objective measures, including their performance on standardized tests.{{cite news|author=Raymond Neupert|url=http://wdez.com/news/articles/2012/apr/02/walker-signs-reading-teacher-evaluation-bill|title=Walker signs reading, teacher evaluation bill|publisher=KDEZ|date=April 2, 2012|access-date=August 29, 2013}}

Walker approved a two-year freeze of tuition at the University of Wisconsin System in the 2013 budget. In 2014, he proposed a two-year extension of the freeze based on expected cash balances for the system in excess of $1 billion.{{cite news|author=Jason Stein|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/walker-proposes-another-two-year-uw-system-tuition-freeze-b99245814z1-254902211.html|title=Scott Walker proposes another two year UW System tuition freeze|publisher=Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel|date=April 11, 2014|access-date=April 29, 2015}}

On February 3, 2015, Walker delivered a budget proposal to the Wisconsin Legislature, in which he recommended placing the University of Wisconsin System under the direction of a "private authority", governed by the Board of Regents (all the governor's appointees). The budget proposal called for a 13% reduction in state funding for the university system.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/walker-proposes-13-cut-more-freedom-for-uw-system-b99433644z1-289880441.html|title=Walker proposes 13% cut, more freedom for UW System|last=Bauer|first=Scott|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2015}}

The budget proposal also called for re-writing the Wisconsin Idea, replacing the university's fundamental commitment to the "search for truth" with the goal of workforce readiness.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/documents-show-walker-administration-seeking-removal-of-uws-wisconsin-idea-b99439710z1-290927651.html Walker administration seeking removal of UWS 'Wisconsin Idea'], jsonline.com; accessed February 6, 2015. Walker faced broad criticism for the changes and at first blamed the rewriting of the Wisconsin Idea on a "drafting error."[http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/feb/06/scott-walker/despite-deliberate-actions-scott-walker-calls-chan Despite deliberate actions, Walker calls proposed change to UW System administration a "drafting error"], politifact.com; accessed February 6, 2015. Politifact and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel later reported that Walker's administration had insisted to University of Wisconsin officials on scrapping the Wisconsin Idea, the guiding principle for the state's universities for more than a century. Walker then acknowledged that UW System officials had raised objections about the proposal and had been told the changes were not open to debate.{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/documents-show-walker-administration-seeking-removal-of-uws-wisconsin-idea-b99439710z1-290927651.html|title=Walker forced to admit UW objected to Wisconsin Idea changes|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|last2=Marley|first2=Patrick|last3=Herzog|first3=Karen|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2015}}

Section 20(b)(1)(A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) gives governors unrestricted authority to approve or veto any off-reservation tribal casino located in their state.{{cite journal|last1=Whittlesey|first1=Dennis J.|author2=Dickinson Wright PLLC|title=War Games in Wisconsin (2013 Style) Re: Indian Tribes|magazine=The National Law Review|date=November 6, 2013|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/war-games-wisconsin-2013-style-re-indian-tribes|access-date=November 18, 2013}}

Walker has said he would only approve new off-reservation casino projects if they are supported by every tribe in the state. This has been referred to as the "Walker Rule". In January 2015, Walker rejected a proposed casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin.[http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-rejects-menominee-bid-for-kenosha-casino-b99431696z1-289587411.html Walker rejects proposed casino in Kenosha], jsonline.com; accessed March 3, 2015.

Walker signed a 2013–2015 state budget and subsequent law that established the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health.{{Cite web|url=https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/children-s-mental-health-poses-challenges-for-state/article_47138584-e701-5874-bbb1-e8e8c94882a2.html|title=Children's mental health poses challenges for state|last=dhall@madison.com, 608-252-6132|first=DEE J. HALL|website=madison.com|date=January 18, 2015 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}} In 2016, Walker signed legislation creating a pair of pilot programs to test alternative-care delivery and payment models for Medicaid recipients who have significant or chronic mental illness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2016/02/26/walker-signs-bill-test-mental-health-care/81002168/|title=Walker signs bill to test mental health care|website=Press Gazette Media|language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}} In 2017, Walker expanded Wisconsin's mental health provider rates by $17 million. Walker also signed legislation increasing funding for peer-run respite centers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/10/24/walker-announces-surprise-funding-bump-mental-health-substance-abuse-treatment/794386001/|title=Walker announces surprise funding bump for mental health, substance abuse treatment|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en|access-date=2019-02-16}}

Following the Slender Man stabbing months earlier, Walker issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday, August 13, 2014, "Purple Hearts for Healing Day", and encouraged the people of Wisconsin to wear purple to honor the victim of the stabbing. He also praised the "strength and determination" exhibited by the victim during her recovery.{{cite press release |title=Governor Scott Walker Issues Proclamation Declaring 'Purple Hearts for Healing Day' in Honor of Waukesha Girl |url=http://walker.wi.gov/newsroom/press-release/governor-scott-walker-issues-proclamation-declaring-%E2%80%9Cpurple-hearts-healing |access-date=October 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015181348/http://walker.wi.gov/newsroom/press-release/governor-scott-walker-issues-proclamation-declaring-%E2%80%9Cpurple-hearts-healing |archive-date=October 15, 2015 |website=Office of the Governor}}

Walker signed the 2011 state budget that de-funded Planned Parenthood.{{cite news|title=Wisconsin Cuts Funds to Planned Parenthood|first=Maggie|last=Fox|magazine=National Journal|date=June 26, 2011|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/wisconsin-cuts-funds-to-planned-parenthood-20110626|access-date=May 12, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506142952/http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/wisconsin-cuts-funds-to-planned-parenthood-20110626|archive-date=May 6, 2015|df=mdy-all}} In 2013, Walker signed a bill that requires women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound and doctors to show the patients the image of the fetus.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html|title=Scott Walker outlines abortion, gay marriage positions in letter|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=May 12, 2015}}

In 2013, Walker signed a bill requiring abortion providers in Wisconsin to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. The law was found unconstitutional by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2015. The court found the medical justifications for such restrictions "nonexistent" and said they "cannot be taken seriously as a measure to improve women's health."{{cite news|last1=Marley|first1=Patrick|title=Judges: Wisconsin abortion admitting privileges law unconstitutional|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/wisconsin-abortion-admitting-privileges-law-unconstitutional-court-affirms-b99621967z1-353085451.html|access-date=June 5, 2016|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 23, 2015}} In June 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, and struck down admitting privileges and other similar restrictions, finding that they were an unconstitutional "undue burden" on women. The day after delivering this decision, the Court refused to hear the Walker administration's appeal of the Seventh Circuit decision, leaving its finding of unconstitutionality in place. Walker blamed an "activist court" for finding his law unconstitutional.{{cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|title=U.S. Supreme Court denies Wisconsin's appeal on abortion clinic restrictions|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/us-supreme-court-denies-wisconsins-appeal-on-abortion-clinic-restrictions-b99752440z1-384689071.html|access-date=July 5, 2016|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=June 28, 2016}}

On July 20, 2015, Walker signed a bill into law that banned all abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, "except when the life of the mother is in immediate danger."{{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Jason | title=Scott Walker Signs 20-Week Abortion Ban, Trooper Pay Raise | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html | date=July 20, 2015 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | access-date=November 24, 2016 | archive-date=November 22, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122172619/http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-bill-banning-abortions-after-20-weeks-b99540949z1-317539131.html | url-status=dead }}

In 2012, regarding right-to-work legislation, Walker told reporters at the state Republican Party convention that "It's not going to get to my desk. ... I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it isn't there because my focal point (is) private sector unions have overwhelmingly come to the table to be my partner in economic development."{{cite web|last1=Kertscher|first1=Tom|title=On supporting 2015 right to work legislation, a Scott Walker reversal|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2015/feb/23/scott-walker/supporting-2015-right-work-legislation-scott-walke|website=Politifact.com|access-date=March 10, 2015}} While campaigning for re-election in 2014, Walker again said he had no plans to pursue right-to-work legislation focused on private unions.

Once the legislation was initiated in the state legislature, Walker stated: "I haven't changed my position on it, it just wasn't a priority for me. But should they pass it within the next two weeks, which is their target, I plan on signing it."[https://www.npr.org/2015/02/25/389028488/wisconsin-governor-to-sign-right-to-work-bill-amid-protests Governor Walker signs right to work bill amid protests], NPR, February 25, 2015; accessed March 9, 2015. On March 9, 2015, Walker signed legislation making Wisconsin a right-to-work state.[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/us/gov-scott-walker-of-wisconsin-signs-right-to-work-bill.html Governor Walker of Wisconsin signs right-to-work bill], New York Times, March 10, 2015. The law applied to private employee unions as well as public.{{cite news|title=How Scott Walker won by dividing and conquering Wisconsin unions|date=March 9, 2015|first=Ned|last=Resnikoff|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/9/how-scott-walker-won-by-dividing-and-conquering-wisconsin-labor.html|access-date=May 12, 2015|agency=Al Jazeera}} Once signed, Walker claimed partial credit for the right-to-work law. Politifact.com rated Walker's position on right-to-work as a "major reversal of position."

Three trade unions, including the AFL–CIO, subsequently sued to get the law overturned as unconstitutional. In March 2015, the court declined the unions' request to put the law on hold until the lawsuit is settled.Andrew M. Harris (March 19, 2015) [https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-03-19/scott-walker-fights-labor-over-dues-as-presidential-race-looms Wisconsin Unions Lose Bid to Block Walker's Right-to-Work Law], Bloomberg.com; accessed May 12, 2015. Following a protracted legal battle, in 2017 the U.S. appeals court in Chicago upheld Wisconsin's right-to-work law ending the substantive legal challenges to the law.

{{main|Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation}}

In 2011, the WEDC was created by Walker as a quasi-public entity to replace the state's Department of Commerce with the objective of incenting job creation in Wisconsin. A 2013 report from the state's Legislative Audit Committee indicated that the organization gave some "grants, loans, and tax credits to ineligible recipients, for ineligible projects, and for amounts that exceeded specified limits." It also reported that WEDC "did not consistently perform statutorily required program oversight duties such as monitoring the contractually specified performance of award recipients".{{cite web|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|last2=Marley|first2=Patrick|title=Wisconsin jobs agency failed in tracking taxpayer money, audit finds|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/wisconsin-jobs-agency-failed-in-tracking-taxpayer-money-audit-finds-9a9pl8g-205595881.html|website=jsonline.com|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Inc|access-date=June 23, 2005|date=May 1, 2013}}{{cite journal|last1=Swensen|first1=Dean|last2=Ramirez|first2=Zach|last3=Baker|first3=Kelly|last4=Kleinmaier|first4=Dan|last5=Klusmeier|first5=Amy|last6=Malone|first6=James|last7=Natzke|first7=Noah|last8=Reed|first8=Bob|last9=Schindler|first9=Jacob|last10=Tippens|first10=Georges|title=Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation|journal=Legislative Audit Bureau|date=May 1, 2013|url=http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lab/reports/13-7full.pdf|access-date=June 25, 2015}} According to Wisconsin Public Radio, "The agency has been plagued by mismanagement and questions about handing out loans without properly vetting recipients."{{cite web|last1=Murray|first1=Pat|title=WEDC Selects Chairman To Replace Walker|url=http://www.wpr.org/wedc-selects-chairman-replace-walker|website=wpr.org|publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio|access-date=July 21, 2015|date=July 21, 2015}}

In June 2015, it was reported that under Walker, WEDC gave out $124 million between the years 2011 and 2013 without formal review. Based on the 27 awards during that period, 2,100 jobs had been created to date out of a total expected of 6,100. $62.5 million was awarded to Kohl's to create 3,000 jobs as part of a headquarters expansion but only 473 had been created, $18 million was awarded to Kestrel Aircraft which was supposed to create 665 jobs but only created 24, and $15 million went to Plexus Corp. to create 350 jobs, but created zero. In July 2013, WEDC adopted a new policy requiring written reviews on all program awards. According to WEDC, it had approved more than 760 reviewed awards under the new policy by June 2015.{{cite news|last1=Tribune Wire Reports|title=Scott Walker's Wisconsin jobs agency gave out $124 million without review|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-scott-walker-jobs-agency-20150619-story.html|access-date=June 25, 2015|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=June 19, 2015|quote=The three highest un-reviewed awards all came through the enterprise zone program. The largest, $62.5 million, went to Kohl's Department Stores for an expansion of its corporate headquarters on June 28, 2012, for a project that was expected to create 3,000 jobs but that has created just 473 so far. The next highest was $18 million to Kestrel Aircraft Company for an expected 665 jobs, but just 24 have been created. The third highest was $15 million to Plexus Corp. to create 350 jobs, but none have been created, according to a tally provided by WEDC.}}

Walker introduced a state budget in February 2015 which removed all of the elected officials from the board. This included removing himself from chairmanship of WEDC. This was revised by the Legislature's budget committee who altered it to only remove Walker. Walker signed the budget in July 2015.

{{further|Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park}}

Walker approved an agreement with the Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn to set up a plant in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. As part of the agreement, Foxconn was set to receive subsidies ranging from $3 billion to $4.8 billion (paid in increments if Foxconn met certain targets), which would be by far the largest subsidy ever given to a foreign firm in U.S. history.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jul/02/its-a-huge-subsidy-the-48bn-gamble-to-lure-foxconn-to-america|title='It's a huge subsidy': the $4.8bn gamble to lure Foxconn to America|last=Rushe|first=Dominic|date=2018-07-02|work=The Guardian|access-date=2018-11-02|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2017/aug/15/one-wisconsin-now/wisconsins-3-billion-offer-foxconn-gift-and-it-lar/|title=$3B to Foxconn largest state 'gift' to a foreign company?|work=@politifact|access-date=2018-11-02}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/29/18027032/foxconn-wisconsin-plant-jobs-deal-subsidy-governor-scott-walker|title=Wisconsin's $4.1 billion Foxconn factory boondoggle|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-11-03}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/did-scott-walker-and-donald-trump-deal-away-the-governors-race-to-foxconn|title=Did Scott Walker and Donald Trump Deal Away the Wisconsin Governor's Race to Foxconn?|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=2018-11-06|language=en-US}} Foxconn said in return that it would set up a $10 billion factory that initially employed 3,000 (set to increase to 13,000).{{Cite news|url=https://eu.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/07/26/scott-walker-heads-d-c-trump-prepares-wisconsin-foxconn-announcement/512077001/|title=Foxconn announces $10 billion investment in Wisconsin and up to 13,000 jobs|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2018-11-02}} Numerous economists expressed skepticism that the benefits would exceed the costs of the deal.{{Cite news|url=https://eu.jsonline.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/08/13/chowdhury-hype-and-reality-foxconn-deal/559484001/|title=Chowdhury: The hype and the reality of the Foxconn deal|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2018-11-03}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2017/09/06/government-incentives-to-attract-jobs-are-terrible-deals-for-taxpayers/1#5b7ad9526eff|title=Government Incentives To Attract Jobs Are Terrible Deals For Taxpayers|last=Dorfman|first=Jeffrey|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-11-03}} The nonpartisan Wisconsin's Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimated that the Foxconn plant would not break even on the investment until 2043, and that was in the best-case scenario.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/10/16125792/apple-foxconn-wisconsin-deal-jobs-profitable-2043|title=Wisconsin won't break even on Foxconn plant deal for over two decades|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-11-03}} Others noted that Foxconn had previously made similar unfulfilled claims about job creation in various localities.

Foxconn sought to locate a plant in the Great Lakes region, because it needs access to large amounts of water. The other Great Lakes states were not willing to offer as generous subsidies as Wisconsin.

Initially, the subsidies were set at $3 billion, which would have cost the state $231,000 per job created (under the assumption of 13,000 jobs). The cost of the subsidies were higher than yearly state funding for the University of Wisconsin System and the state prisons. Other estimates of the subsidies go as high as $4.8 billion, which meant that the cost of the subsidy per job (assuming 13,000 jobs) was more than $346,000. Depending on how many jobs are created, the cost per job may go as high as more than a million dollars.

Walker exempted the firm from Wisconsin's environmental rules regarding wetlands and streams.{{Cite news|url=https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/broader-relaxation-of-environmental-rules-seen-coming-from-foxconn/article_2192c025-2984-5713-9463-7b4092e1dd09.html|title=Broader relaxation of environmental rules seen coming from Foxconn|author=Steven Verburg|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=August 20, 2017}} Walker and the Trump administration rolled back air pollution limits in the area of the plant, overruling objections of Environmental Protection Agency staff.{{Cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/8ac3c33e68274190a84b6154097c53e7|title=Illinois officials concerned over Foxconn plant impact|date=2018-06-13|work=AP NEWS|access-date=2018-11-03}} The plant was estimated to contribute significantly to air pollution in the region.{{Cite news|url=https://eu.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/28/foxconn-industrial-operations-would-represent-major-new-source-air-pollution-region/461586002/|title=Foxconn industrial operations would represent a major new source of air pollution in region|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2018-11-03}} Environmentalists criticized the decision to allow Foxconn to draw 7 million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan. The roughly four square miles of land necessary for the Foxconn campus was in part made possible by forcing homeowners to sell at a fixed price under the threat of seizing the land under eminent domain.

In 2018, the Walker administration shifted up to $90 million in local road funding to road work related to the Foxconn factory.{{Cite news|url=https://eu.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/28/wisconsin-shifting-up-90-million-local-road-funding-foxconn-related-projects/380750002/|title=Wisconsin is shifting up to $90 million in local road funding to Foxconn-related projects|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2018-11-03}} The Wisconsin state legislature granted Foxconn special legal privileges within the Wisconsin judicial system.

Shortly after losing his re-election bid in 2018, Walker expressed support for a proposal by Wisconsin Republicans to curb the powers of the incoming Democratic administration during the lame-duck session.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/daniel-bice/2018/12/04/gov-scott-walker-reverses-course-lame-duck-sessions-since-2010/2200571002/|title=Bice: Gov. Scott Walker decried lame-duck session and permanent political appointments in 2010|date=2018|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en}} In December 2018, Walker signed legislation to strip powers from the incoming Democratic administration. The incoming administration suggested it would challenge the legislation in court.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/14/us/wisconsin-governor-scott-walker.html|title=Wisconsin's Scott Walker Signs Bills Stripping Powers From Incoming Governor|last1=Smith|first1=Mitch|date=2018-12-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-12-14|last2=Davey|first2=Monica|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} In 2010, Walker had expressed opposition to attempts to pass legislation during the lame-duck session before he took office as governor. An official lawsuit against the legislation was filed by Democratic organizations on January 10, 2019, in Dane County court.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/424741-groups-will-file-lawsuit-attempting-to-void-wisconsin-laws-passed-by/|title=Lawsuit aims to invalidate Wisconsin laws signed by Walker in lame-duck session|work=The Hill|date=10 January 2019}}

In 2019, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described Walker as a polarizing governor, writing that while "his personality wasn't divisive... his leadership was polarizing in several ways. One was simply his successful pursuit of aggressively conservative policies, which excited his supporters and angered his opponents. A second was the 'shock and awe' factor. His defining early accomplishment{{snd}}all but ending collective bargaining for public-sector unions{{snd}}was not a policy he campaigned on in 2010. It was a post-election bombshell... A third factor was a systematic project by the governor and GOP lawmakers to make it more difficult for Democrats to win elections or exercise power by tilting the political playing field."{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/blogs/wisconsin-voter/2019/01/07/scott-walkers-shock-and-awe-politics-worked-until-didnt/2484838002/|title=In a divided Wisconsin, Scott Walker's lightning-rod approach to politics worked for him—until it didn't|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en|access-date=2019-01-11}}

{{Further|2016 United States presidential election}}

File:Walker16 Flag.png

File:Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker at Citizens United Freedom Summit in Greenville South Carolina May 2015 by Michael Vadon 09.jpg]]

File:Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker (and Scott Brown) at Seacoast Harley Davidson in North Hampton NH on July 16th 2015 by Michael Vadon 04.jpg]]

File:Scott Walker 2016 RNC.jpg]]

In late January 2015, Walker set up a 527 organization called "Our American Revival" to "help spread his message and underwrite his activities" which The Washington Post described as helpful for building the political and fundraising networks for a run for the presidency.{{cite news|last1=Balz|first1=Dan|title=Scott Walker forms committee in preparation for 2016 presidential bid|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/27/scott-walker-forms-committee-in-preparation-for-2016-presidential-bid|access-date=February 27, 2015|agency=Washington Post|date=January 27, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In February 2015, Trip Gabriel of The New York Times described him as having "quickly vaulted into the top tier of likely candidates in the Republican presidential race".{{cite news|last1=Gabriel|first1=Trip|title=Scott Walker Hardens Tone on Social Issues to Woo Christian Conservatives|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/us/politics/scott-walker-hardens-tone-on-social-issues-to-woo-christian-conservatives.html|access-date=February 22, 2015|agency=The New York Times|date=February 22, 2015|work=The New York Times}} On April 20, at a fundraising event for the New York State Republican Party, David Koch told donors that he and his brother, who oversee one of the biggest private political organizations in the country, believed that Walker would be the Republican nominee.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/04/20/koch-brothers-signal-support-for-scott-walker/ |title=Kochs Signal Support for Scott Walker|author=Nicholas Confessore|work=www.nytimes.com|date=April 20, 2015}}

Following a controversial statement by Rudy Giuliani, Walker declined to answer the question of whether he believes President Obama loves America or was a true Christian, stating that he did not know President Obama's patriotism was in doubt.

In June 2015, Walker took a further step towards a presidential campaign when he established a "testing-the-waters" federal campaign committee.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/06/18/scott-walker-forms-a-testing-the-waters-committee/|title=Scott Walker forms a 'testing the waters' committee|author=Jenna Johnson|date=18 June 2015|newspaper=Washington Post}} This allowed him to raise federal campaign dollars as he explored a possible presidential run.{{cite web|last=Rafferty|first=Andrew|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/scott-walker-makes-another-move-towards-2016-run-n377641|title=Scott Walker Makes Another Move Towards 2016 Run|work=NBC News|date=June 18, 2015}}

In July 2015, after Walker aides said that he would soon announce his candidacy,{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-set-to-file-papers-to-run-for-president-today-b99531061z1-311437521.html|title=Scott Walker files papers to run for president|author=Mary Spicuzza|work=jsonline.com}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-walker-takes-first-steps-to-enter-2016-race|title=Election 2016: Scott Walker takes first steps to enter presidential race|date=July 2, 2015|work=CBS News}} Walker announced his candidacy via social media{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ScottWalker/status/620554821028876288|title=Scott Walker on Twitter|work=Twitter}} on the morning of July 13, 2015, with Walker speaking at a formal event in Waukesha, Wisconsin that afternoon.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-scott-walker-presidential-campaign-20150702-story.html|title=With social media tease, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker enters 2016 race|author=Chicago Tribune|date=2 July 2015|work=Chicago Tribune}}

As of August 18, 2015, Crowdpac ranked Walker as the fourth-most conservative candidate (following Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Ben Carson) for the 2016 presidential election based on an analysis of campaign donors.{{cite web|title=2016 Presidential Election|url=https://www.crowdpac.com/elections/2016-presidential-election|publisher=Crowdpac|date=August 18, 2015}} Based on an analysis including Crowdpac's rating, public statements by candidates on issues, and congressional voting (not applicable to Walker), FiveThirtyEight had ranked Walker the third-most conservative among candidates as of May 27, 2015.{{cite news|last=Enten|first=Harry|date=June 4, 2015|title=Rick Perry Fell Harder Than Anyoneand He's the First to Try Again|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/rick-perry-fell-harder-than-anyone-and-hes-the-first-to-try-again/|publisher=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=July 20, 2015}}

Walker, who started his campaign as a top-tier candidate after what was considered a "break-out" event at the Iowa Freedom Caucus in January, saw his position gradually decline over the summer in 2015. Initially a front-runner in the race,{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016-power-index-unsteady-walker-still-jebs-top-rival-but-press-pile-on-continues |title=2016 Power Index: Unsteady Walker Still Jeb's Top Rival, But Press Pile On Continues |first=Chris |last=Stirewalt |date=February 23, 2015 |work=Fox News |access-date=October 22, 2016}}{{cite web | title=Walker takes the lead in GOP Race | url=https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/PPP_Release_National_22415.pdf |date=February 24, 2015 |work=Public Policy Polling |access-date=October 22, 2016}} Walker saw a precipitous decline in both polling numbers and campaign funds.{{cite news |last1=Burns|first1=Alexander|last2=Healy|first2=Patrick|title=Scott Walker Quits the 2016 Presidential Race|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/21/scott-walker-quits-2016-presidential-race/ |access-date=September 21, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 21, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Koren|first=Marina |title=Why Scott Walker Isn't Running Anymore |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/scott-walker-is-out/406564/ |access-date=September 21, 2015 |publisher=Atlantic Monthly |date=September 21, 2015}} On August 6, Walker participated in the first Republican primary debate in Cleveland, Ohio. His performance was seen as decent, without much fanfare nor attention given to it due to his short answers to questions which limited his airtime. Shortly after the debate, Walker admitted to wanting more airtime, but also mentioned that there were multiple debates ahead and that he was successful in changing the argument to which candidate could defeat Hillary Clinton in the general election.{{cite news|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-sticks-to-script-delivers-safe-quiet-performance-b99552407z1-321025531.html/ |title=Scott Walker sticks to script, delivers safe, quiet performance|date=August 7, 2015|first=Craig|last=Gilbert|publisher=jonline.com}}

A national poll by CNN/ORC released on September 20, in the wake of the second Republican debate held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, revealed that Walker's popularity among likely Republican voters had dropped to less than half of 1 percent.{{cite web|last1=Rappeport|first1=Alan|title=Timeline of Scott Walker's Presidential Campaign|url=https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/09/21/timeline-of-scott-walkers-presidential-campaign/ |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2015-09-21 |access-date=21 September 2015}}

On September 21, 2015, Walker suspended his campaign and asked other candidates to do the same, so that the party could rally around a conservative alternative to Donald Trump.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-walker-donald-trump-drop-out-speech-2015-9|title=Scott Walker unloads on Donald Trump while exiting the race|first1=Colin|last1=Campbell|work=Business Insider|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=October 22, 2016}} Once considered a front-runner for the Republican nomination, Walker's campaign suffered from two lackluster debate performances, low fundraising and an inability to raise his profile among the 16 other GOP contenders.{{cite news|last1=Holland|first1=Steve|last2=Stephenson|first2=Emily|title=Republican Walker exits 2016 presidential race|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-walker-idUSKCN0RL28M20150921|website=reuters.com|date=September 21, 2015|agency=Reuters|access-date=21 September 2015}}

On March 29, 2016, Walker endorsed the candidacy of Ted Cruz.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/scott-walker-endorsement-wisconsin-primary/index.html |title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker endorses Ted Cruz |last1=Scott |first1=Eugene |date=March 29, 2016 |website=CNN |access-date=March 29, 2016 }} After Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party in May 2016, Walker stated that he would support Trump as the Republican nominee, saying that Trump would make a better president than Hillary Clinton.{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Eliza |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/05/04/scott-walker-bobby-jindal-kelly-ayotte-ari-fleischer-criticized-donald-trump/83928628/ |title=4 Republicans who say they'll now (reluctantly) back Trump |date=May 4, 2016 |work=USA Today |access-date=June 9, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Wise |first=David |url=http://elections.wispolitics.com/2016/05/walker-cites-supreme-court-taxes.html |title=WisPolitics Election Blog: Walker cites Supreme Court, taxes, regulations in saying Trump would 'clearly' be better president than Clinton |work=WisPolitics.com |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620160150/http://elections.wispolitics.com/2016/05/walker-cites-supreme-court-taxes.html |url-status=dead }} Walker withdrew his support for Trump on June 8, 2016, after Trump called the judge Gonzalo P. Curiel biased against Trump because of Curiel's Mexican heritage. While still maintaining that Trump would be better choice than Clinton, Walker noted that Trump was not yet the party's nominee and wanted Trump to renounce his comments on the judge before the 2016 Republican National Convention.{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Louis |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/scott-walker-trump-endorsement-224059 |title=Walker backs away from endorsing Trump |work=Politico |date=June 8, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2016}}

Walker also prepared then-Indiana governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence for his debate against Virginia senator and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine on October 4, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vice-presidential-candidates-prep-debate/story?id=42446291|title=VP Candidates Prep for Their Debate|first=Meghan|last=Keneally|date=September 30, 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=October 22, 2016}}{{cite web | last1=Shih | first1=Adrienne | title=Gov. Scott Walker: Mike Pence Didn't 'Take the Bait' at Debate | url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/scott-walker-mike-pence-debate/ | date=October 5, 2016 | publisher=CNN | access-date=November 24, 2016}}

File:Scott Walker speaking to VOA at the 2024 RNC 02.png]]

In July 2019, Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he would become the president of Young America's Foundation, a conservative student organization, in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Craig |title=Former Gov. Scott Walker to take the helm of conservative group, says he won't run for office in 2022 |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/07/15/scott-walker-ex-wisconsin-governor-lead-young-americas-foundation/1723326001/ |access-date=15 July 2019 |publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=July 15, 2019}} He also told the paper that the position would preclude his running for office in the next years which would rule out a Senate run or a return to the governorship in 2022.

On July 17, 2019, President Trump appointed Walker to the board of trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Smithsonian Institution.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wpr.org/trump-appoints-scott-walker-board-think-tank|title=Trump Appoints Scott Walker To Board Of Think Tank |website=wpr.org|date=15 July 2019 |access-date=2 September 2021 }}

Throughout his life and career, Walker has opposed abortion.{{cite web | title=Scott Walker Outlines Abortion, Gay Marriage Positions in Letter | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-outlines-abortion-gay-marriage-positions-in-letter-b99375704z1-279975922.html | date=October 22, 2014 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |agency=Associated Press | access-date=November 24, 2016}} In 2010, Walker told the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he opposed abortion, without exception for rape or incest.{{cite news|magazine=Mother Jones|title=Scott Walker Wants to Totally Outlaw Abortion. In This Sneaky New Ad, He Pretends He Doesn't|first=Andy|last=Kroll|date=October 7, 2014|access-date=May 12, 2015|url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2014/10/scott-walker-wisconsin-governor-ban-abortion-rape-incest}} Regarding his stance on abortion, he has stated: "I don't apologize for that, but I don't focus on that; I don't obsess with it."{{cite news|last1=Cook|first1=David|title=Gov. Scott Walker's position on abortion: 'I don't obsess with it'|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/monitor_breakfast/2013/1202/Gov.-Scott-Walker-s-position-on-abortion-I-don-t-obsess-with-it|access-date=May 22, 2015|agency=The Christian Science Monitor|date=December 2, 2013}} In a TV ad during his 2014 campaign for re-election Walker identified as anti-abortion, and pointed to legislation he signed that leaves "the final decision to a woman and her doctor".{{cite web | title=Campaign 2014: Scott Walker 'Decision' | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/politics/campaign-2014-scott-walker-decision/2014/10/09/f30c8b3c-4fcb-11e4-877c-335b53ffe736_video.html | date=October 9, 2014 | newspaper=The Washington Post| access-date=November 24, 2016}} In August 2015, he criticized the notion that abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother in certain cases, calling it a "false choice."{{cite web | last1=Spicuzza | first1=Mary | title=Scott Walker Calls Abortion to Save a Woman's Life a 'False Choice' | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-calls-abortion-to-save-a-womans-life-a-false-choice-b99553080z1-321141741.html | date=August 8, 2015 | newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a few weeks before the November 2014 election, Walker declined to answer directly when asked if abortion should be prohibited after 20 weeks. In July 2015, Walker signed a state law banning abortion after 20 weeks, including in cases of rape or incest but excluding when immediate danger existed to the life of the mother.{{cite news|last1=Schleifer|first1=Theodore|title=Scott Walker: I would sign 20-week abortion ban|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/01/politics/scott-walker-abortion-ban-20-weeks/index.html |date=June 2, 2015 |website=CNN|access-date=June 2, 2015}}

During his tenure in the state legislature, Walker campaigned on a "tough-on-crime" platform and sought to increase the length of criminal penalties by increasing mandatory minimums and by cutting parole possibilities. In 1996, he said, "The time has come to keep violent criminals in prison for their full terms."{{Cite news|last=Keyes|first=Scott|date=2015-02-26|title=How Scott Walker Built a Career Sending Wisconsin Inmates to Private Prisons|magazine=The Nation|language=en-US|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/how-scott-walker-built-career-sending-wisconsin-inmates-private-prisons/|access-date=2020-06-08|issn=0027-8378}}

He advocated for privatization of prisons.

File:Scott Walker (16936089101).jpg]]

As Governor of Wisconsin, Walker received the grade of B in 2012{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/GRC2012.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2012|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=September 3, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2012|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2012|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=September 3, 2015}} and 2014{{cite web|last1=Kaeding|first1=Nicole|last2=Edwards|first2=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/fprc-on-americas-governors_1.pdf|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Kaeding|first1=Nicole|last2=Edwards|first2=Chris|publisher=Cato Institute|url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2014|title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014|date=October 2, 2014|access-date=September 3, 2015}} from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.

Wisconsin calls itself "America's Dairyland," with more dairy farms than any other state.{{cite web |url=https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/Annual_Statistical_Bulletin/2017AgStats_web.pdf |title=2017 Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics |work=National Agricultural Statistics Service |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=April 7, 2021 |date=September 2007 }} In 2012, Walker instituted a program to encourage dairy farmers to dramatically increase production, which resulted in a supply glut and years of depressed prices. This had a crippling effect on the industry, leaving it vulnerable when in 2018 Canada, China and Mexico imposed tariffs on American farm exports in retaliation for tariffs imposed on them by President Donald Trump. The New York Times reported that by April 2019 Wisconsin dairy farmers were facing "extinction."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/us/politics/trump-trade-war-wisconsin-dairy.html|title=Stung by Trump's Trade Wars, Wisconsin's Milk Farmers Face Extinction|first=Alan|last=Rappeport|date=April 26, 2019|newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=April 7, 2021 }}

Walker moved to weaken tenure for professors at the University of Wisconsin System and to cut its funding, while offering authority to reduce spending.{{cite news|last1=Bauer|first1=Scott|title=Walker proposes 13% cut, more freedom for UW System|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/walker-proposes-13-cut-more-freedom-for-uw-system-b99433644z1-289880441.html|access-date=November 5, 2015|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=January 27, 2015}} He recommended deleting parts of the system's mission that contribute to the Wisconsin Idea. Parts of the mission proposed for deletion, such as the "search for truth," were to be replaced with a directive "to meet the state's workforce needs." Walker later called the change a "drafting error," but public records requests and litigation showed that Walker himself and his office were "the driving force" behind the changes.{{cite news|last1=Marley|first1=Patrick|last2=Stein|first2=Jason|title=Records: Scott Walker wanted Wisconsin Idea changes|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/judge-orders-scott-walker-to-release-emails-on-wisconsin-idea-b99733921z1-381151041.html|access-date=July 5, 2016|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=May 27, 2016}} He supports the public funding of private schools and religious schools in the form of vouchers for students. He supports the increased availability of charter schools.{{cite news|last1=Strauss|first1=Valerie|title=Gov. Scott Walker savages Wisconsin public education in new budget|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/07/13/gov-scott-walker-savages-wisconsin-public-education-in-new-budget|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 15, 2015|date=July 13, 2015}}

Walker signed a "No Climate Tax" pledge promising not to support any legislation that would raise taxes to combat climate change and has been a keynote speaker at the Heartland Institute, which promotes climate change denial.{{cite news|last1=Waldmann|first1=Paul|title=Where the 2016 GOP contenders stand on climate change|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/05/12/where-the-2016-gop-contenders-stand-on-climate-change|access-date=April 27, 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 12, 2014}} He proposed funding cuts for clean energy and other environmental programs. He has proposed giving many powers of the Environmental Protection Agency to the states. He opposed the Obama administration's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

File:U.S. Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker in 2011 at troop send-off which will arrive in Kosovo to participate in the NATO-led peacekeeping mission.jpg]]

File:U.S. Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker speaking at the Chatham House in London, UK in 2015.jpg in London in 2015]]

In 2015, Walker indicated that he favored providing arms to Ukraine to fight in the Russo-Ukrainian War.

In 2015, Walker stated in an interview with Charlie Sykes that if elected president, he would "absolutely" decide on his first day in office to "cancel any Iranian deal the Obama administration makes," even if European allies which were also party to an agreement opted not to reimpose sanctions.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/04/02/scott-walker-ill-blow-up-any-iran-deal-no-matter-what-our-european-allies-think|title=Scott Walker: I'll blow up any Iran deal, no matter what our European allies think|last1=Sargent|first1=Greg|date=April 2, 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=April 2, 2015}}

In 2015, while campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, Walker faulted Obama for lack of strategy in dealing with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group,{{cite news|last1=Mullany|first1=Gerry|title=Scott Walker on the issues|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/14/us/politics/scott-walker-on-the-issues.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=July 13, 2015|date=July 13, 2015}} and did not rule out sending U.S. troops to Syria to engage in ground combat with ISIL there. In February 2015, when asked about the war in Syria, Walker said that the U.S. should "go beyond just aggressive air strikes. We have to look at other surgical methods. And ultimately, we have to be prepared to put boots on the ground if that's what it takes."{{cite web|last1=Friedersdorf|first1=Conor|title=Scott Walker's Naive Foreign-Policy Beliefs|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/02/scott-walkers-naive-foreign-policy-beliefs/385104/ |date=February 2, 2015 |website=The Atlantic |author-link=Conor Friedersdorf |access-date=July 9, 2015}}

In a 2015 interview, Walker said that "the most significant foreign policy decision" of his lifetime was President Ronald Reagan's firing 11,000 striking air traffic controllers in 1981, saying: "It sent a message not only across America, it sent a message around the world ... [that] we weren't to be messed with."{{cite news|title=Scott Walker takes on unions again|first=Brian|last=Mahoney|date=March 6, 2015|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/scott-walker-takes-on-unions-again-115808.html|access-date=May 12, 2015|publisher=Politico}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Scott Walker calls Reagan's bust of air traffic controller strike 'most significant foreign policy decision'|first=Philip|last=Rucker|date=February 28, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/02/28/scott-walker-calls-reagans-bust-of-air-traffic-controller-strike-most-significant-foreign-policy-decision}}

In 2015, Walker opposed rapprochement in relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Walker has supported gun rights. In July 2011, he signed a bill into law making Wisconsin the 49th concealed carry state in the United States,{{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Jason | title=Walker Signs Concealed-Carry Measure Into Law | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/125235719.html | date=July 8, 2011|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}} and on December 7 of that same year he signed the castle doctrine into law.{{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Jason | title=Walker Signs 'Castle Doctrine' Bill, Other Measures | url=http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/walker-to-sign-castle-doctrine-bill-wednesday-bh3brej-135197918.html | date=December 7, 2011 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | access-date=October 30, 2016}} In January and April 2015 speeches in Iowa, Walker included passing those laws among his accomplishments.{{cite news|title=Our American Revival: Gov. Scott Walker wades into the presidential campaign waters|date=January 27, 2015|first=Derica|last=Williams|access-date=May 12, 2015|url=http://fox6now.com/2015/01/27/governor-scott-walker-creates-new-pac-ahead-of-2016|publisher=Fox News}}{{cite AV media|publisher=C-SPAN|title=Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition Summit|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?325573-1/iowa-faith-freedom-coalition-summit |date=April 25, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015|location=Waukee, Iowa}}

The NRA Political Victory Fund gave Walker a 100% ranking in 2014.{{cite web |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Grades {{!}} Wisconsin |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/wisconsin/ |website=nrapvf.org |publisher=NRA-PVF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104210424/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/wisconsin/ |archive-date=November 4, 2014 |language=en-US |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|title=Scott Kevin Walker's Ratings and Endorsemens|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/3552/scott-walker#.VT2WUiFViko|website=VoteSmart|access-date=April 27, 2015}}{{cite web | title=NRA Endorses Scott Walker for Governor in Wisconsin | url=https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140922/nra-endorses-scott-walker-for-governor-in-wisconsin | date=September 22, 2014 | publisher=NRA-PVF | access-date=October 30, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923193555/https://www.nrapvf.org/articles/20140922/nra-endorses-scott-walker-for-governor-in-wisconsin | archive-date=September 23, 2014 | url-status=live}}

On June 24, 2015, Walker signed two bills into law, one which removed the state's 48-hour waiting period for buying a gun and another which gave retired or off-duty police officers the legal right to carry concealed guns in public schools.{{cite news | last1=Strauss | first1=Daniel | title=Scott Walker Signs Two Pro-Gun Bills | url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/scott-walker-two-gun-bills-119380 | date=June 24, 2015 | newspaper=Politico| access-date=October 30, 2016}}

Walker opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA or "Obamacare") and has signed Wisconsin onto a lawsuit seeking to have the ACA rolled back (including provisions for preexisting conditions).{{Cite news|url=https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2018/oct/18/tony-evers/scott-walker-says-he-would-cover-pre-existing-cond/|title=Scott Walker backs plans to end pre-existing protections?|work=PolitiFact|date=October 18, 2018|author=Tom Kertscher}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-republicans-medicaid-20181101-story.html|title=Republican candidates say they would protect sick Americans but fight coverage for poorest patients |last=Levey|first=Noam N.|website=Los Angeles Times|date=November 1, 2018}} He supported the Graham-Cassidy legislation to repeal the ACA; this repeal bill would have eliminated blanket protections for preexisting conditions. In 2018, Walker pledged to pass legislation to protect individuals with preexisting conditions in case the Affordable Care Act were repealed; according to PolitiFact, "he hasn't spelled out an alternative that would provide protections that Obamacare does." As Governor, he has blocked expansion of Medicaid in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, responsibility for redrawing legislative and congressional district lines rests with the legislature. The legislature is required to redraw legislative and congressional districts every 10 years based upon the results of the decennial federal census.{{cite web |url=https://elections.wi.gov/node/2164 |title=About Redistricting in Wisconsin |work=Wisconsin Election Commission |access-date=April 7, 2021 }} The redistricting legislation after the 2010 Census was signed by Walker in August 2011 in a private ceremony to which no Democrats or news agencies were invited.{{Cite web|url=https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/walker-signs-bills-redrawing-political-boundaries/article_b9235018-c2cf-11e0-8e82-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Walker signs bills redrawing political boundaries|first=Scott |last=Bauer |agency=Associated Press|website=Wisconsin State Journal |date=August 9, 2011 }} As an outcome of legal action by Wisconsin Democrats, a panel of Federal judges found in 2016 that the Wisconsin Legislature's 2011 redrawing of State Assembly districts to favor Republicans was an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/wisconsin-redistricting-found-to-unfairly-favor-republicans.html|title=Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans|first=Michael|last=Wines|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 21, 2016}} Walker has appeared on Fox News to defend the 2011 redistricting, but even that conservative-leaning forum has criticized his efforts.{{Cite web|url=https://madison.com/opinion/editorial/scott-walker-unconvincing-as-national-spokesman-for-gerrymandering/article_6cad292c-60c7-5227-8de8-6a836608adf5.html|title=Scott Walker unconvincing as national spokesman for gerrymandering |newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal |author=Editorial board |date=May 9, 2019 }}

Walker has claimed that securing the American border with Mexico is "our first priority". After that, undocumented immigrants in the United States could "secure their citizenship" but would have to "get in the back of line", and wait like anyone else applying for citizenship.[http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/26/politics/election-2016-scott-walker-immigration/index.html Scott Walker comments on immigration], cnn.com; accessed April 10, 2015. Walker says that he does not advocate deportation for all people in the country illegally, but he is not in favor of amnesty.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/scott-walker-believe-candidate-stands-10-issues |first1=Ellen |last1=Rolfes |first2=Lisa |last2=Desjardins |title=What does Scott Walker believe? Where the candidate stands on 10 issues|work=PBS NewsHour |date=July 13, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015}}

In a 2015 appearance on Meet the Press, Walker said proposals to build a wall along the {{convert|5525|mi|km|abbr=on}} Canada–United States border was "a legitimate issue for us to look at."Walker quickly switched the subject to the Middle East, rebuilding the military, and national security. The exchange about Canada never made it to air. It was edited out of the interview highlights that ran on Meet The Press, and was posted on NBC's website.{{cite news |last1=Bradner |first1=Eric |first2=Tal |last2=Kopan |title=Scott Walker: U.S.-Canada Wall a 'legitimate' Idea |work=CNN |date=August 30, 2015 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/30/politics/scott-walker-northern-border-immigration-2016 }}

Walker has stated that he would work to "protect American workers" by aligning his position with Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), who wrote in a Washington Post op-ed that legal immigration needs to be "slowed".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/slow-the-immigration-wave/2015/04/09/c6d8e3d4-dd52-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html|title=America needs to curb immigration flows|newspaper=Washington Post|date=April 21, 2015|first=Jeff|last=Sessions}}

File:Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin at Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City, OK May 2015 by Michael Vadon 06.jpg in Oklahoma City, OK]]

Walker wrote in an editorial in The Washington Post that "Like most Americans, I think government is too big and too expansive, but the government that is necessary should work{{snd}}and work well."{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Scott|title=Scott Walker: What Wisconsin can teach Washington|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/scott-walker-what-wisconsin-can-teach-washington/2013/10/08/95e3efb0-3030-11e3-9ccc-2252bdb14df5_story.html|access-date=May 6, 2015|newspaper=Washington Post|date=October 18, 2012}}

Walker says he believes in "marriage between one man and one woman". Walker voted for Wisconsin's constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, both as a legislator and as a voter.{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Blade|date=April 30, 2015|first=Chris|last=Johnson|title=Walker calls for federal amendment against same-sex marriage|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2015/04/30/walker-calls-for-fedl-amendment-against-same-sex-marriage|access-date=May 12, 2015}}{{cite news|title=In Iowa, GOP field stresses opposition to same-sex marriage|first=James|last=Hohmann|date=April 26, 2015|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/iowa-faith-freedom-summit-2015-117346.html|access-date=May 12, 2015|publisher=Politico}} In September 2014, Walker said he was defending the amendment. When the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently rejected the appeals of five states, including Wisconsin, in October 2014, allowing same-sex marriages to continue, Walker stated: "I think it's resolved."{{cite news |url=https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/gay-marriages-to-resume-in-wisconsin-as-supreme-court-rejects-appeals-b99365650z1-278229621.html/ |title=Gay marriages to resume in Wisconsin as US Supreme Court rejects appeal |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=March 13, 2015 |first1=Jason |last1=Stein |first2=Patrick |last2=Marley }} In April 2015, in New Hampshire, Walker stated that marriage is "defined as between a man and a woman",{{cite news|title=Same-sex marriage debate forces GOP contenders to tread carefully|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/same-sex-marriage-snarls-gop-contenders/2015/04/24/6b5a8d18-ea8c-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html|first1=Sandhya|last1=Somashekhar|first2=Robert|last2=Costa|date=April 24, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post}} and in Iowa said a federal constitutional amendment allowing states to define marriage was reasonable. Walker called the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide a "grave mistake".{{cite news |title=Walker calls gay marriage ruling 'grave mistake'|url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/walker-has-long-opposed-samesex-marriage/33789126|website=channel3000.com|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 27, 2015|date=June 26, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628143110/http://www.channel3000.com/news/politics/walker-has-long-opposed-samesex-marriage/33789126|archive-date=June 28, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

Walker said public-union collective-bargaining rights frustrate balancing the state budget.{{cite news |url=https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/with-dues-depleted-wisconsin-s-three-afscme-councils-merge/article_136e2e6e-c63a-503b-8aa5-ad4586ba9e1d.html |date=May 1, 2015|first=Steven|last=Verburg|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal |access-date=May 12, 2015|title=With dues depleted, Wisconsin's three AFSCME councils merge}} Walker signed right-to-work legislation he said would contribute to economic growth.{{cite news|agency=NBC News|title=Scott Walker Signs Anti-Union Bill|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-signs-right-work-bill-n319941|first=Leigh Ann|last=Caldwell|date=March 9, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2015}} The Atlantic has written that "anti-union politics" have defined his tenure as governor and established him as a Republican presidential contender.{{cite news|title=Scott Walker, Anti-Union Man|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/scott-walker-anti-union-man/387283|access-date=May 12, 2015|first=Russell|last=Berman|date=March 9, 2015|magazine=The Atlantic}} Politico wrote that Walker initiated a 21st-century revival of anti-union legislation in upper Midwestern industrial states and that his "fervent anti-union rhetoric and actions" has helped his national reputation within the Republican Party.

On May 24, 2017, Walker signed a bill that allowed unaccompanied minors to attend concerts and other musical festivals where alcohol is being served.{{cite web|url=http://fox6now.com/2017/05/24/gov-scott-walker-signs-bill-allowing-minors-at-music-festivals/ |title=Gov. Scott Walker signs bill allowing minors at music festivals|date=May 24, 2017|publisher=WITI}} On June 21, 2017, he signed into law a bill that allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to work without parental permission.{{cite web|url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/gov-walker-approves-ending-work-permits-for-16-17-year-olds |agency=Associated Press |title=Gov. Walker approves ending work permits for 16-, 17-year-olds|date=June 22, 2017|publisher=WITI}}

File:Scott Walker hugs wife Tonette at 2016 Presidential announcement.jpg announcement with their sons present]]

Walker and his wife, Tonette, have two sons, Alex and Matt.

The family attends Meadowbrook Church, a nondenominational, evangelical church in Wauwatosa, which is a daughter church of Elmbrook Church, in nearby Brookfield. Tonette Walker works in the development department for the American Lung Association.{{cite web|title=About First Lady Walker|publisher=Wisconsin Government|url=http://firstlady.wi.gov/about-first-lady-walker|access-date=March 3, 2015}}

During the summers of 2004 through 2009, as Milwaukee County Executive, Walker led a motorcycle tour called the "Executive's Ride" through Wisconsin and parts of neighboring states. The ride was organized to attract people to Milwaukee County. Walker rides a 2003 Harley Davidson Road King.{{cite news|last1=Steve|first1=Schultze|title=Walker hits the road on his own Harley|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/43346517.html|access-date=November 11, 2014|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=April 21, 2009}}

In 2013, Walker published Unintimidated – A Governor's Story and A Nation's Challenge, co-written with Marc Thiessen, about his experiences during the recall vote and subsequent election, both of which he won.[http://www.fox11online.com/news/wisconsin/gov-scott-walkers-new-book-criticizes-mitt-romneys-2012-presidential-campaign Walker's new book criticizes Romney] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019125457/http://www.fox11online.com/news/wisconsin/gov-scott-walkers-new-book-criticizes-mitt-romneys-2012-presidential-campaign |date=October 19, 2013 }}, fox11online.com; accessed January 28, 2014.

• {{cite book|title=Unintimidated: A Governor's Story and a Nation's Challenge|author=Walker, Scott and Marc Thiessen|year=2013|isbn=978-1-59523-107-9|publisher=Sentinel HC}}

{{Election box begin

| title=2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial election{{cite web|url=https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Canvass%20Results%20%282%29.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517152719/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/default/files/Canvass%20Results%20%282%29.pdf|archive-date=2022-05-17|title=Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 6:00:00 AM|work=WEC Canvass Reporting System|publisher=Wisconsin Elections Commission}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link |

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tony Evers

|votes = 1,324,307

|percentage = 49.54%

|change = +2.95%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes = 1,295,080

|percentage = 48.44%

|change = −3.82%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Phil Anderson

|votes = 20,255

|percentage = 0.76%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (United States)

|candidate = Maggie Turnbull

|votes = 18,884

|percentage = 0.71%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party (United States)

|candidate = Michael White

|votes = 11,087

|percentage = 0.41%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (United States)

|candidate = Arnie Enz

|votes = 2,745

|percentage = 0.10%

| change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = n/a

|candidate = Write-ins

|votes = 980

|percentage = 0.04%

| change = -0.02%

}}

{{Election box total

|votes = 2,673,308

|percentage = 100.0%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title=2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election{{Cite web|url=https://elections.wi.gov/sites/electionsuat.wi.gov/files/11.4.14%20Summary%20Results-all%20offices.pdf|title=G.A.B. Canvass Reporting System: Canvass Results for 2014 GENERAL ELECTION - 11/4/2014|access-date=February 8, 2019|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180318/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/electionsuat.wi.gov/files/11.4.14%20Summary%20Results-all%20offices.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes = 1,259,706

|percentage = 52.26

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Mary Burke

|votes = 1,122,913

|percentage = 46.59

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Burke

|votes = 18,720

|percentage = 0.78

}}

{{Election box candidate no change|

|party = Independent

|candidate = Dennis Fehr

|votes = 7,530

|percentage = 0.31

}}

{{Election box majority no change|

|votes = 136,793

|percentage = 5.67%

}}

{{Election box total no change|

|votes = 2,410,314

|percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election results{{cite news|url=http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/wisconsin-recall-results |title=Election Map 2012: Live Voting Results |work= The Huffington Post|access-date=2013-07-01}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| style="text-align:left;"| 14px

| candidate = Scott Walker (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 1,335,585

| percentage = 53.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Barrett

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 1,164,480

| percentage = 46.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Hariprasad Trivedi

| party = Independent politician

| votes = 14,463

| percentage = 0.6

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 2,514,528

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

| winner = Republican Party (United States)

| loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election{{cite web|url=https://elections.wi.gov/sites/electionsuat.wi.gov/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf|title=Government Accountability Canvas Reporting System, 2010 Election Results Post Recount|publisher=State of Wisconsin|access-date=February 8, 2019|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180301/https://elections.wi.gov/sites/electionsuat.wi.gov/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker

|votes = 1,128,941

|percentage = 52.29%

|change = +6.93%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Barrett

|votes = 1,004,303

|percentage = 46.52%

|change = −6.24%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent politician

|candidate = Jim Langer

|votes = 10,608

|percentage = 0.49%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Common Sense

|candidate = James James

|votes = 8,273

|percentage = 0.38%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Terry Virgil

|votes = 6,790

|percentage = 0.31%

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate|

|party = Write-ins

|candidate =

|votes = 59

|percentage = 0.00%

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 124,638

|percentage = 5.77%

|change = −1.62%

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 2,158,974

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election – Republican primary}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate =Scott Walker

|votes = 360,053

|percentage = 58.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Mark Neumann

|votes = 237,944

|percentage = 38.7}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Paterick

|votes = 16,609

|percentage = 2.7}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2008 Milwaukee County Executive election
Non-partisan election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate =Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes = 98,039

|percentage = 59}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = Lena Taylor

|votes = 68,785

|percentage = 41}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2004 Milwaukee County Executive election
Non-partisan election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate =Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes = 136,203

|percentage = 57}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = David Riemer

|votes = 101,089

|percentage = 43}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2002 Milwaukee County Executive special election
Non-partisan election}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change

|candidate =Scott Walker

|votes = 99,850

|percentage = 55}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change

|candidate = James Ryan

|votes = 81,099

|percentage = 45}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2000 Wisconsin State Assembly 14th District election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes =20,268

|percentage =100}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate =None

|votes =0

|percentage =0}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1998 Wisconsin State Assembly 14th District election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate =Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes =14,110

|percentage =68}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate =Jim Heidenreich

|votes =6,750

|percentage =32}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1996 Wisconsin State Assembly 14th District election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate =Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes =15,658

|percentage =62}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate =Dale Dulberger

|votes = 9,792

|percentage =38}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1994 Wisconsin State Assembly 14th District election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate =Scott Walker (incumbent)

|votes =15,487

|percentage =100}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate =None

|votes =

|percentage =0}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1993 Wisconsin State Assembly 14th District special election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate =Scott Walker

|votes =5,027

|percentage =57}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Christopher T. Ament

|votes =3,663

|percentage =42}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate =Larry A. Boge

|votes =93

|percentage =1}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=1990 Wisconsin State Assembly 7th District election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate =Gwen Moore (incumbent)

|votes = 3,847

|percentage = 69}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Scott Walker

|votes = 1,690

|percentage = 31}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{portal|Politics|United States|Wisconsin|Biography}}

• Scott Walker presidential campaign, 2016
• Republican Party presidential candidates, 2016

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist|refs=

Primary election:

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&id=WI.WIBlueBk1991&entity=WI.WIBlueBk1991.p0918&q1=walker|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|editor-first2= H. Rupert|editor-last2=Theobald|title=County Vote for Representative to the Assembly|work=State of Wisconsin 1991–1992 blue book|page=904|access-date=March 8, 2011|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau}}
General election: {{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&id=WI.WIBlueBk1991&entity=WI.WIBlueBk1991.p0929&q1=Scott%20K.%20Walker|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|editor-first2= H. Rupert|editor-last2=Theobald|title=Vote for Representative to the Assembly By District|work=State of Wisconsin 1991–1992 blue book|page=915|access-date=February 28, 2011|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&id=WI.WIBlueBk1993&entity=WI.WIBlueBk1993.p0983&q1=scott%20k.%20walker|title=Election Addenda, Vote for Representative to the Assembly By District, June 29, 1993|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|editor-first2= H. Rupert|editor-last2=Theobald|work=State of Wisconsin 1993–94 blue book|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|page=969|access-date=February 22, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=goto&id=WI.WIBlueBk1995&isize=M&submit=Go+to+page&page=921|title=Vote for Representatives to the Assembly By District|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|work=State of Wisconsin 1995–1996 blue book|page=921|publisher=Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, Wisconsin Legislature|access-date=February 22, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&entity=WI.WIBlueBk1997.p0967&id=WI.WIBlueBk1997&isize=M|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|title=Vote for Representatives to the Assembly By District|work=State of Wisconsin 1997–1998 blue book|page=903|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|access-date=February 22, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&id=WI.WIBlueBk1999&entity=WI.WIBlueBk1999.p0924&q1=scott%20k.%20walker|page=882|title=District Vote for Representatives to the Assembly, Special and General Elections, 1998|work=State of Wisconsin 1999–2000 blue book|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|editor-first2= Patricia E.|editor-last2= Meloy |publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|access-date=February 24, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/WI/WI-idx?type=turn&entity=WI.WIBlueBk2001.p0943&id=WI.WIBlueBk2001&isize=M|title=District Vote for Representatives to the Assembly, November 7, 2000|work=State of Wisconsin 2001–2002 blue book|editor-first1=Lawrence S.|editor-last1=Barish|editor-first2= Patricia E.|editor-last2= Meloy|page=929|publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau|access-date=February 24, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://county.milwaukee.gov/2002ElectionResults9988.htm|title=04-30-2002 County Executive Special Election|publisher=Milwaukee County Election Commission|date=April 30, 2002|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://county.milwaukee.gov/2004ElectionResults9985.htm|title=04-06-2004 County Executive Results|date=April 6, 2004|publisher=Milwaukee County Election Commission|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.wisn.com/politics/2981352/detail.html|title=Walker Wins Race For Milwaukee County Executive|date=April 6, 2004|work=WISN 2 News|location=Milwaukee, WI|access-date=February 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718071849/http://www.wisn.com/politics/2981352/detail.html|archive-date=July 18, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyElectCommission/ElectionResults/2008/4108_Canvass_County_Executive.pdf|title=4-01-08 County Executive Results|date=April 1, 2008|publisher=Milwaukee County Election Commission|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf|title=Government Accountability Canvas Reporting System, 2010 Election Results|publisher=State of Wisconsin|access-date=August 6, 2011|archive-date=May 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521140507/http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/percent%20results%20post%20recount_120710.pdf|url-status=dead}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/104221094.html|title=Abortion, birth control are wedge issues in governor's race – Barrett, Walker also differ on sex education law|author1=Marley, Patrick |author2=Bergquist, Lee |name-list-style=amp |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 2, 2010|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100712/APC0101/7120517/Wisconsin-governor-candidates-Scott-Walker-and-Mark-Neumann-join-abortion-debate|title=Wisconsin governor candidates Scott Walker and Mark Neumann join abortion debate|author=Foley, Ryan J.|date=July 12, 2010|agency=The Associated Press|newspaper=The Post-Crescent|location=Appleton, WI|access-date=February 17, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715105910/http://www.postcrescent.com/article/20100712/APC0101/7120517/Wisconsin-governor-candidates-Scott-Walker-and-Mark-Neumann-join-abortion-debate|archive-date=July 15, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|author=Marley, Patrick|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/68991847.html|title=Beil accuses Walker of wrecking state services|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=November 3, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/116114284.html|title=Wisconsin AFL-CIO ads attack Walker plan on collective bargaining|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|author=Johnson, Mike|date=February 13, 2011}}

{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Kertscher|title=Scott Walker says scientists agree that adult stem cell research holds greater promise than embryonic stem cell research|date=October 12, 2010|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/oct/21/scott-walker/scott-walker-says-scientists-agree-adult-stem-cell|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=March 2, 2011|quote="Scientists have shown us (that) the greater possibilities, the real science movement, has been with adult stem cell research. It has not been with embryonic", Walker said.}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.marquette.edu/magazine/recent.php?subaction=showfull&id=1295029342&archive=&start_from=&ucat=9&|title=Election news – Alumni in the House|work=Marquette Magazine|publisher=Marquette University|date=Winter 2011|access-date=March 1, 2011}}

{{cite news|author=Schultze, Steve|url=http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/43284987.html|title=Walker announcement on running for governor expected April 28|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=April 20, 2009|access-date=February 15, 2011}}

{{cite news|title=AP Election Guide 2010|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/bios/48976.html?SITE=NPRELN&SECTION=PREELECTION&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|agency=The Associated Press|publisher=NPR|access-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225205357/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/pre-election/bios/48976.html?SITE=NPRELN&SECTION=PREELECTION&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|archive-date=February 25, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=441QAAAAIBAJ&pg=5491,6452687&dq=scott+walker&hl=en|title=Libertarian sets self apart from Assembly foes|author=Lamke, Kenneth R.|date=June 23, 1993|work=The Milwaukee Sentinel|access-date=February 19, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=Roeder|first=David|title=Wisconsin Gov. Walker turns state into battleground for unions|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/3929312-418/wisconsin-gov.-walker-turns-state-into-battleground-for-unions|access-date=February 22, 2011|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=February 21, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wis-gov-i-took-bold-political-move-on-budget/|title=Wis. gov: I took 'bold political move' on budget|work=CBS News|date=February 18, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.legion.org/boysnation/93765/boys-nation-alum-now-governor-elect|title=Boys Nation alum now governor-elect|publisher=The American Legion|work=Boys State/Nation|date=December 19, 2010|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703989504576128502316403060?mod=googlenews_wsjl|title=Public-Worker Unions Steel for Budget Fights|author=Trottman, Melanie|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 14, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=Ames|first=Ann Marie|title=Rock County close to home for Walker|url=http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/2010/sep/07/rock-county-close-home-walker|date=September 7, 2010|newspaper=Walworth County Today|access-date=February 23, 2011|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135116/http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/2010/sep/07/rock-county-close-home-walker/|archive-date=July 24, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3KcaAAAAIBAJ&pg=4753,7161800&dq=scott+walker+ibm+wisconsin&hl=en|title=Preachers kid was drawn to politics early in life|date=March 29, 2002|access-date=February 28, 2011|quote=With a part-time job at IBM selling warranties on mainframe computers as well as the Assembly race competing for his attention, Walker left Marquette in the final semester of his senior year.}}

{{cite web|url=http://blogs.wispolitics.com/GOPconvos/2008/05/ryan-walker-early-gop-favorites-for.html |title=Ryan, Walker early GOP favorites for leading 2010 statewide races |work=WisPolitics GOP Convention Blog |date=May 17, 2008 |publisher=Wispolitics.com |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905145503/http://blogs.wispolitics.com/GOPconvos/2008/05/ryan-walker-early-gop-favorites-for.html |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |df=mdy }}

{{cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/oct/26/tom-barrett/tom-barrett-says-scott-walker-wants-ban-abortion-e|title=Tom Barrett says Scott Walker wants to ban abortion, even in cases of rape or incest (True)|work=PolitiFact Wisconsin|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 26, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2011 |first=Tom |last=Kertscher}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fake-sick-notes-given-to-wisconsin-protesters-amid-anti-union-bill-faceoff |title='Fake' Sick Notes Given to Wisconsin Protesters Amid Anti-Union Bill Faceoff |work=Fox News |agency=Associated Press|date=February 19, 2011|access-date=February 20, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_40195b94-2d7f-11e0-b57f-001cc4c002e0.html|title=First lady Tonette Walker draws on own pain to champion faith-based treatment center|author=Vanegeren, Jessica|date=February 1, 2011|access-date=February 25, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/43346712.html|author=Schultze, Steve|title=Walker announces annual Harley ride plans|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=April 21, 2009|access-date=February 25, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=2767&keyword=walker|title=Walker, Scott K. (born 1967)|work=Dictionary of Wisconsin History|publisher=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=February 15, 2011}}

{{cite news|first=John|last=Bailey|title=Wisconsin: How we got here|date=February 18, 2011|url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/18/6081693-wisconsin-how-we-got-here|work=First Read from NBC News|publisher=NBC News|access-date=February 21, 2011|quote=Gov. Walker's Budget Repair Bill – Pensions: Requires employees who pay into the Wisconsin Retirement System to contribute 50% of their annual pension payment an estimated 5.8% of salary; currently, employers make all pension contributions. – Health insurance: Requires state employees to pay at least 12.6% of the average cost of annual premiums—about double what they pay now.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221125613/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/02/18/6081693-wisconsin-how-we-got-here|archive-date=February 21, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|last=Drake|first=Bruce|url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/08/is-scott-walker-married|title=Is Scott Walker Married?|publisher=Politics Daily|date=October 8, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=February 11, 2011|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-wi--budgetwoes-nationalguard,0,6647243.story|title=Walker says National Guard is prepared to respond after unveiling of anti-union plan|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=February 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303083006/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-wi--budgetwoes-nationalguard,0,6647243.story|archive-date=March 3, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=McCrady|first=Melissa|url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/112495344.html|title=Walker Works Last Day as County Executive|publisher=WTMJ|location=Milwaukee, WI|date=December 27, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/us/12unions.html|title=Wisconsin May Take an Ax to State Workers' Benefits and Their Unions|author1=Davey, Monica |author2=Greenhouse, Steve |date=February 11, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2011|work=The New York Times}}

{{cite news|title=Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says National Guard ready for any unrest over anti-union bill|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110211/GPG0101/110211052/Public-workers-in-Wisconsin-reeling-from-anti-union-bill|date=February 11, 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}

{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/walker-turning-down-million-intended-to-help-implement-health-care/article_a834c012-4244-11e1-99ec-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Walker turning down $37 million intended to help implement health care reform law|agency=Associated Press|date=January 18, 2012}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/37167414.html|title=Walker says no thanks to federal stimulus dollars|author=Schultze, Steve|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=January 6, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.badgerboysstate.com|title=BBS Alumni – Notable BBS Graduates|publisher=Badger Boys State|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13017077&page=3|title=Wis. gov. to outline ultimate intentions in budget|author=Bauer, Scott|agency=The Associated Press|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2011|work=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303115942/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13017077&page=3|archive-date=March 3, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/105115759.html|title=Walker, preacher's son, finds politics calling|author=Glauber, Bill|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=October 17, 2010|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_17ec4e3a-1775-11e0-9756-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Inauguration day starts with prayer breakfast|author=Erikson, Doug|work=Wisconsin State Journal|date=January 3, 2011|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_da67cf2c-df74-11df-acf0-001cc4c002e0.html|title=From preacher's kid to front-runner: Scott Walker's small-town roots led to reputation as fiscal hawk|author=Barbour, Clay|date=October 24, 2010|work=Wisconsin State Journal|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/102483644.html|title=Fall 2010 primary election results|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=September 14, 2010|access-date=February 15, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.scottwalker.org/issues/life|work=Scott Walker for Wisconsin Governor|title=Issues – Protecting Life|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914051646/http://www.scottwalker.org/issues/life|archive-date=September 14, 2010}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/us/10rail.html|title=More U.S. Rail Funds for 13 States as 2 Reject Aid|author=Cooper, Michael|work=The New York Times|date=December 9, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|title=Read summary of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill|url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110216/GPG0101/110216041/Read-summary-of-Gov-Scott-Walker-s-budget-repair-bill|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|date=February 16, 2011|access-date=February 22, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=441QAAAAIBAJ&pg=5659,6681887&dq=scott-walker&hl=en|title=Sentinel Choice: Scott Walker in 14th Assembly District|author=Sentinel editorial board|date=June 23, 1993|work=The Milwaukee Sentinel|access-date=February 17, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41808726|title=Walker shows no sign of conceding in Wisconsin battle|author=Curry, Tom|date=February 27, 2011|access-date=February 27, 2011|work=NBC News}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{cite press release|url=http://www.wispolitics.com/1006/032406WalkerOut.pdf|title=Statement of Scott Walker, Republican Candidate for Governor and Milwaukee County Executive|publisher=Walker for Governor|date=March 24, 2006|access-date=February 15, 2011}}

{{cite news|last=Stein|first=Jason|title=State to return $11 million federal grant in dispute over health care law|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/state-to-return-11-million-to-feds-in-dispute-over-health-care-law-2e3smok-137788398.html|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=January 20, 2012}}

{{cite web |url=http://blogs.wispolitics.com/GOPconvos/2007/05/fred-thompson-walker-top-wispolitics.html |work=WisPolitics GOP Convention Blog |title=Fred Thompson, Walker top WisPolitics Straw Poll |date=May 12, 2007 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923090339/http://blogs.wispolitics.com/GOPconvos/2007/05/fred-thompson-walker-top-wispolitics.html |archive-date=September 23, 2010 |df=mdy }}

{{cite news|url=http://dailyreporter.com/2009/11/13/walker-targets-wages-and-benefits|author=Pommer, Matt|title=Walker targets wages and benefits|work=The Daily Reporter|location=Milwaukee, WI|date=November 13, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/111946229.html|title=Scott Walker to Resign on the 27th|location=Milwaukee, WI|publisher=WTMJ|date=December 15, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/nov/01/tom-barrett/tom-barrett-says-scott-walker-wants-ban-pill-and-o/|title=Tom Barrett says Scott Walker wants to ban the pill and other forms of birth control (Half True)|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=February 18, 2011|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|work=Politifact Wisconsin}}

{{cite web|url=http://nationaljournal.com/politics/who-is-scott-walker--20110222|title=Who Is Scott Walker?|author=Boerma, Lindsey|date=February 22, 2011|work=National Journal|access-date=February 24, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226191911/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/who-is-scott-walker--20110222|archive-date=February 26, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|last=Schultze|first=Steve|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29505169.html|title=Walker would lower salary givebacks – County executive would return $10,000 if he's re-elected|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=March 19, 2008|access-date=February 15, 2011}}

{{cite news|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/midwest/view/20110308wis_gov_scott_walker_proposes_union_compromise_in_e-mails |title=Walker will negotiate with unions |date=February 8, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=March 8, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117656563.html|title=Maneuver ignites furious protests|date=March 10, 2011|author=Marley, Patrick|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=March 10, 2011}}

}}

• Cramer, Katherine J. The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker (University Of Chicago Press, 2016)
• {{cite web | last1=Stein | first1=Kate | title=Timeline: The Life and Career of Scott Walker | url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/timeline-the-life-and-career-of-scott-walker/html_4c4013e6-9bfe-5cdd-b494-2ba6bcf88827.html | date=July 19, 2015 | work=Wisconsin State Journal | access-date=November 24, 2016}}
• {{cite web | last1=Umhoefer | first1=Dave | title=From Milwaukee County to Madison, Scott Walker's Rise Marked by Union Battles | url=http://projects.jsonline.com/news/2016/11/27/scott-walkers-path-to-power.html#chapter-six | date=November 27, 2016 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | access-date=December 4, 2016}}
• {{cite web | last1=Umhoefer | first1=Dave | title=From Teacher 'Free Agency' to Merit Pay, the Uproar Over Act 10 Turns into Upheaval in Wisconsin Schools | url=http://projects.jsonline.com/news/2016/10/9/from-teacher-free-agency-to-merit-pay-the-uproar-over-act-10.html | date=October 9, 2016 | work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | access-date=December 4, 2016}}

{{sister project links|auto=yes}}

• [https://www.scottwalker.com Scott Walker] official campaign website
• {{C-SPAN|9274089}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-wi-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Peggy Rosenzweig}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the Wisconsin Assembly
from the 14th district|years=1993–2002}}

{{s-aft|after=Leah Vukmir}}

|-

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Janine Geske
{{small|Acting}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=Executive of Milwaukee County|years=2002–2010}}

{{s-aft|after=Lee Holloway
{{small|Acting}}}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Jim Doyle}}

{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Wisconsin|years=2011–2019}}

{{s-aft|after=Tony Evers}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Mark Green}}

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin|years=2010, 2012, 2014, 2018}}

{{s-aft|after=Tim Michels}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Susana Martinez}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Republican Governors Association|years=2016–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Bill Haslam}}

|-

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|rows=2|before=Jim Doyle|as=Former Governor}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States|years=Within Wisconsin}}

{{s-aft|after=Mike Castle|as=Former Governor}}

|-

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States|years=Outside Wisconsin}}

{{s-aft|after=Jerry Brown|as=Former Governor}}

{{s-end}}

{{Governors of Wisconsin}}

{{2016 United States presidential election}}

{{Milwaukee County Executives}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Scott}}

Category:1967 births

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Category:21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature