Scott Walker (politician)

Scott Walker
Born	(1967-11-02) November 2, 1967 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation	Politician
Years active	1990–present
Known for	45th governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019), Milwaukee County Executive (2002–2010)

Scott Kevin Walker (born November 2, 1967) is an American political figure who held the office of the 45th governor of Wisconsin from 2011 until 2019. Affiliated with the Republican Party, he previously occupied the role of Milwaukee County executive between 2002 and 2010. As of 2025, he remains the latest Republican to have governed Wisconsin.

Walker was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and spent his formative years in Plainfield, Iowa and Delavan, Wisconsin. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1992, representing a constituency in western Milwaukee County. In 2002, following the resignation of F. Thomas Ament, Walker won a special election to become Milwaukee County Executive and subsequently secured full terms in 2004 and 2008.

Although he initially campaigned for Governor in the 2006 race, he withdrew prior to the primary. He ran again in the 2010 contest and was victorious. Early during his governorship, Walker introduced the contentious Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill, which significantly limited collective bargaining rights for most public sector employees. This measure triggered extensive protests and a legislative deadlock but was enacted into law by March 2011. The opposition led to a recall election in 2012, which Walker survived, making him one of only two U.S. governors to withstand such a challenge.

Walker secured re-election in 2014, defeating Democrat Mary Burke. He also launched a short-lived campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, withdrawing after two months due to weak polling results. In his bid for a third term as governor during the 2018 race, he was narrowly beaten by Democrat Tony Evers.

Since 2021, Walker has been serving as president of the Young America's Foundation.

Early life and education

Born on November 2, 1967, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Walker is the older of two sons born to Patricia Ann "Pat" (née Fitch), who worked as a bookkeeper, and Llewellyn Scott "Llew" Walker (1939–2018), a Baptist minister.

The family relocated to Plainfield, Iowa in 1970, where Llew held positions as both pastor and member of the city council. When Walker was ten years old, they moved again to Delavan, Wisconsin, where his father continued his pastoral duties at the First Baptist Church of Delavan. During high school, Walker participated in leadership programs sponsored by the American Legion, including Badger Boys State and Boys Nation, where he had the opportunity to meet then-President Ronald Reagan. This encounter helped shape his dedication to public service. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1986.

Walker began attending Marquette University in fall 1986, quickly becoming active as a student senator and spearheading an inquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds by student leaders. That same year, he volunteered for Tommy Thompson’s campaign for governor. In 1988, he narrowly lost a competitive race for student government president and led Marquette’s anti-abortion group Students for Life.

He departed from Marquette University in spring 1990 after completing 94 out of the required 128 credits for graduation with a GPA of 2.59 but did not earn a degree. Walker attributed his early exit to accepting a full-time role with the American Red Cross.

Wisconsin State Assembly

At 22 years old in 1990, Walker sought election to represent Milwaukee's 7th District in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Although he secured the Republican nomination, he was defeated by the incumbent Democrat Gwen Moore, garnering less than a third of the votes. After relocating to Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee, in 1993, Walker won a special election for the more conservative 14th legislative district, overcoming Democrat Chris Ament, son of then-Milwaukee County Executive Tom Ament.

Throughout this campaign, Walker advocated for welfare reform, opposed expanding mass transit systems, supported imposing limits on state expenditures, and called for changes to laws governing labor disputes involving local government workers. He earned endorsements from Wisconsin Right to Life and The Milwaukee Sentinel, which praised his fiscal discipline and firm approach to crime. Walker was re-elected four times and served until 2002 before assuming the role of county executive.

While serving in the Assembly, Walker concentrated on criminal justice matters and chaired both the Committees on Correctional Facilities and Corrections and the Courts. He also participated in several other committees, including those focused on Health, Census and Redistricting, Financial Institutions, and Housing. As a freshman legislator in 1993, he co-sponsored legislation supporting right-to-work policies. In 1999, he championed a truth-in-sentencing bill that lengthened prison terms and abolished parole eligibility for certain offenses. Walker attributed this legislative initiative to the influence of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

In 2001, Walker introduced legislation safeguarding pharmacists who declined to dispense emergency contraception prescriptions and endorsed voter identification laws. Political commentators assessed him as more conservative than approximately 90% of his Assembly colleagues and about 80% of Republican members.

Walker consistently upheld a pro-life stance during his tenure in the Assembly, sponsoring or co-sponsoring nearly every abortion-restrictive bill except during his campaign for Milwaukee County Executive.

Between 2001 and 2002, Walker and Assemblymember Michael Huebsch opposed appointing state employee Rev. Jamyi Witch as a prison chaplain due to her Wiccan faith, citing both personal objections and political considerations. Their attempts to terminate her employment were ultimately unsuccessful.

Milwaukee County Executive

Walker assumed office as Milwaukee County Executive following a special election in April 2002, succeeding former Executive Tom Ament, who resigned amid a pension-fund controversy. He secured a full four-year term in 2004 with 57% of the vote, defeating former state budget director David Riemer. Despite the nonpartisan nature of the office and the liberal leaning of the county, Walker openly campaigned as a conservative Republican. He won re-election in 2008 against State Senator Lena Taylor, receiving 59% of the vote. Upon taking office, he became both the youngest individual and the first Republican to hold this position—and remains the only Republican to date.

His campaign emphasized fiscal conservatism, pledging to donate a portion of his salary to bolster his credibility regarding budget reductions. During his initial term, he returned $60,000 annually—almost half of his salary—and reduced this amount to $10,000 per year in his second term.

Throughout eight years as county executive, Walker frequently clashed with the county board over issues such as taxation, privatization efforts, park management, public building maintenance, and social service programs; several budgets were overridden by vetoes. Notably, he never proposed any budget that increased property taxes beyond previous levels. Under his administration, county workforce numbers were reduced by over 20%, transforming a $3.5 million deficit into a surplus. He vetoed more than $44 million in proposed expenditures and played a key role in eliminating waiting lists for senior long-term care services.

Operation Freedom probe

Walker appointed Kevin Kavanaugh, who served as treasurer for the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, to the County Veterans Service Commission. Each year, Walker organized fundraising efforts for veterans via the Operation Freedom Benefit, which supported the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

In 2009, Walker's Chief of Staff, Thomas Nardelli, raised alarms about missing funds; Walker directed him to inform the district attorney, triggering a subsequent "John Doe" investigation. Kavanaugh and four additional individuals were apprehended on charges of embezzlement; Kavanaugh was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to 21 months incarceration.

Tim Russell, who held several positions under Walker including deputy chief of staff and Milwaukee Housing Director in 2010, faced charges in January 2012 and later pled guilty to misappropriating over $21,000 into his own account. Walker was not implicated or charged in relation to these offenses.

2006 gubernatorial bid

While serving as county executive, Walker announced his intention to run for governor of Wisconsin in February 2005. After fourteen months, he withdrew from the race on March 24, 2006, citing difficulties with fundraising. He then endorsed Republican Mark Andrew Green, who ran unopposed in the primary but was defeated by incumbent Democrat Jim Doyle in November 2006. Although Green lost, Walker’s backing elevated his profile within the state Republican Party and positioned him as a leading candidate for the 2010 gubernatorial race.

2010 gubernatorial campaign

Walker emerged early as a favored contender for the Republican nomination for Wisconsin governor in 2010, securing victories in straw polls at GOP conventions during 2007 and 2008. He officially launched his campaign in April 2009, focusing on tax reduction and spending cuts while criticizing the 2009–2011 state budget as excessive amid economic downturn. During 2009–2010, Americans for Prosperity helped raise his visibility by inviting him to deliver speeches statewide. Walker earned the GOP convention endorsement in May 2010 with 91% delegate support and won the September primary with 59%, defeating former U.S. Representative Mark Neumann.

His platform promised to generate 250,000 jobs by cutting taxes on small businesses, capital gains, and income. To finance these tax reductions, he proposed lowering wages and benefits for state employees. Critics argued these policies disproportionately benefited wealthier individuals and jeopardized public services; supporters maintained that tax relief would spur economic growth.

Walker opposed an $810 million federal Department of Transportation grant intended to fund a high-speed rail line between Madison and Milwaukee. He cited concerns over operating expenses and lack of profitability despite local officials’ willingness to share costs. The grant was subsequently withdrawn and redirected to other states, resulting in Wisconsin losing at least $60 million in federal rail repair funding.

On social matters, Walker described himself as "100% pro-life," opposing abortion even in cases involving rape or incest. He advocated for abstinence-only education and opposed government-funded birth control access for minors without parental consent. He also defended pharmacists’ rights to refuse dispensing contraceptives based on moral objections. While supporting adult stem cell research, he opposed embryonic stem cell studies.

Walker stood against same-sex marriage and legislation granting limited benefits to gay couples but later conceded that the issue had lessened in importance following a federal court’s invalidation of Wisconsin’s marriage ban. He committed to signing an Arizona-style immigration law that would authorize local law enforcement to detain suspected undocumented immigrants.

On November 2, 2010—coinciding with his 43rd birthday—Walker won the general election with 52% of the vote against Democrat Tom Barrett, who garnered 46%. His running mate was former Milwaukee news reporter Rebecca Kleefisch. Walker’s triumph coincided with major Republican gains in Wisconsin’s U.S. Senate seat, House delegation, State Assembly, and State Senate.

2012 recall election

In the aftermath of the 2011 collective bargaining conflict, Walker's disapproval ratings consistently ranged from 50% to 51%, while his approval ratings fluctuated between 47% and 49%. The formal recall initiative against him commenced on November 15, 2011.

During the recall campaign, Walker amassed over $30 million in contributions, with a substantial share originating from donors outside Wisconsin. This fundraising effort underscored the broader national political implications recognized by both parties. By March 2012, petitioners had submitted more than 900,000 valid signatures, surpassing the threshold of 540,208 required to prompt the recall election.

In February 2012, Walker’s team requested additional time to verify signatures on the petitions, arguing that approximately one-fifth were invalid. Democrats responded by asserting that even after removing those signatures, their total still exceeded the necessary amount. A judge ultimately rejected Walker’s request for an extension. On March 30, the Government Accountability Board authorized the recall election, which was held on June 5, 2012.

During the Republican primary for the recall, Walker garnered 626,538 votes. Meanwhile, Tom Barrett emerged victorious in the Democratic primary with 390,109 votes out of a total of 670,288 cast among Democratic contenders. On June 5, Walker secured victory in the recall election by achieving 53% of the vote compared to Barrett’s 46%, marking him as the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall attempt.

By the end of the recall process, Walker had developed a nationwide coalition of conservative donors and organizations supporting his campaign. Nearly 300,000 contributors collectively raised close to $37 million, with about two-thirds coming from outside Wisconsin. Prominent backers included Michael W. Grebe, Diane Hendricks, the Bradley Foundation (which founded both the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute and MacIver Institute), as well as Koch network affiliates like Americans for Prosperity.

2014 gubernatorial campaign

In his third gubernatorial contest within four years, Walker competed against Democrat Mary Burke. Labor unions that had supported the 2012 recall effort threw their support behind Burke, while Walker continued to receive substantial financial backing from conservative donors. Polls remained competitive throughout the campaign. On November 4, 2014, Walker was re-elected by a margin of six percentage points.

2018 gubernatorial campaign

Seeking a third term in office during the 2018 election cycle, Walker was ultimately defeated by Democratic candidate Tony Evers, who was serving as Wisconsin’s Superintendent of Public Instruction at that time.

Tenure

Scott Walker took office as Wisconsin's 45th governor on January 3, 2011. Within weeks, by January 25, the state legislature approved several bills championed by Walker, including significant tax reductions for businesses projected to cost $67 million over two years.

Walker became a national figure due to the contentious budget repair bill, which restructured collective bargaining rights for most public sector employees. This legislation triggered a recall campaign, culminating in Wisconsin's first-ever gubernatorial recall election held on June 5, 2012.

Throughout his initial term, Walker converted a $3.6 billion budget shortfall into a surplus and implemented $2 billion in tax relief measures. The state also experienced employment growth exceeding 100,000 jobs during this timeframe.

2011 Budget Repair Bill

On February 11, 2011, Walker introduced the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill with the goal of reducing state expenditures by $30 million in the current fiscal year and $300 million over the following two years. The legislation mandated higher contributions from state and local government employees toward their health care and pension plans, effectively lowering their average net income by approximately 8%. It curtailed collective bargaining rights for most state employees, except certain public safety workers, restricting negotiations primarily to wage increases limited to inflation rates unless approved through voter referenda. Additionally, unions were required to hold annual elections to maintain representation and lost automatic payroll deduction privileges. Law enforcement officers and firefighters were exempted from these changes.

Shortly after Walker assumed office, supporter Diane Hendricks inquired about establishing Wisconsin as a right-to-work state. Walker responded that the budget bill would focus on public employee collective bargaining due to fiscal challenges, implying a "divide and conquer" approach. Critics later interpreted this as an indication of plans to challenge private-sector unions as well; however, Walker denied these claims, emphasizing his priority was addressing the state's financial crisis.

Walker justified excluding police and firefighters by citing public safety concerns and portrayed the bill as essential to prevent layoffs. While union leaders and Democrats condemned the legislation for limiting collective bargaining rights, Walker maintained that it was a reasonable measure since employees retained civil service protections. Protests commenced on February 14, 2011; although union leaders agreed to financial concessions, they opposed restrictions on bargaining.

On February 17, all 14 Democratic state senators fled Wisconsin to deny the Senate quorum necessary for passing the bill unless bargaining restrictions were rescinded. Walker warned that failure to enact the bill by March 1 would endanger refinancing $165 million in state debt and necessitate additional budget cuts.

Starting February 20, protesters occupied the Capitol building, attracting tens of thousands in Madison and inspiring demonstrations nationwide by February 26. Walker accused unions of negotiating in bad faith due to recent contracts lacking pension or health care contributions and criticized their refusal to negotiate further.

Following unsuccessful legislative negotiations, Republicans removed some fiscal elements from the bill to circumvent quorum requirements. The Senate approved the revised bill with an 18–1 vote on March 9; the Assembly followed with a 53–42 vote on March 10. Walker signed the bill into law on March 11, with Democratic senators returning on March 12.

Subsequent legal challenges ensued: initially, a court order halted publication pending judicial review; on May 26, a judge invalidated the law for violating open meetings statutes. However, on June 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned this ruling and upheld the legislation.

Walker asserted that the law would "save jobs, protect taxpayers, reform government and help balance the budget," denying broad anti-union intent. He underscored cost savings for school districts resulting from provisions allowing them to switch health insurance providers away from WEA Trust—the insurer connected to the largest teachers union—leading to estimated premium savings of $30 million.

Investigation into John Doe campaign finances

In August 2012, Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm initiated an inquiry concerning unaccounted funds, which subsequently broadened into a second John Doe investigation. This probe examined alleged unlawful coordination between Governor Walker's campaign and conservative organizations during the recall election period.

The original presiding judge, retired Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara A. Kluka, issued 30 subpoenas and 5 search warrants, accompanied by a confidentiality order that barred public disclosure of the investigation’s details. On October 29, 2013, Kluka stepped down without providing reasons. Her replacement, Judge Gregory Peterson, dismissed multiple subpoenas in January 2014, citing insufficient probable cause to support claims of campaign finance infractions.

On July 16, 2015, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in a 4–2 decision that Walker had not engaged in illegal coordination with conservative groups throughout the recall campaigns. Justice Michael Gableman authored the opinion stating that this verdict effectively terminated the John Doe inquiry as the special prosecutor’s legal rationale was unfounded. Later, in March 2017, a federal judge dismissed litigation filed against the investigators involved in the case.

Budget proposal for 2011–2013

Confronted with a $3.6 billion shortfall for the 2012–2013 budget period, Walker suggested reducing state aid for K–12 education by $834 million, representing a 7.9% decrease. Additionally, he restricted school districts’ authority to increase property taxes as a means to compensate for diminished state funding. The budget also reduced capital gains taxes on investments in Wisconsin enterprises, expanded Medicaid expenditures by $1.3 billion, and allocated an additional $410.5 million toward transportation projects.

Budget proposal for 2013–2015

For the fiscal years 2013 to 2015, Walker’s budget plan included freezing public school funding and tightening eligibility criteria for Medicaid. It increased allocations for domestic violence prevention initiatives, mental health services, higher education programs, and workforce training efforts. The proposal incorporated an income tax reduction totaling $343 million and broadened the state’s school voucher initiative.

Budget proposal for 2015–2017

The 2015–2017 budget introduced by Walker aimed to reduce funding for the University of Wisconsin System by $300 million while maintaining steady financial support for K–12 education and further enlarging the voucher program. It proposed borrowing $1.3 billion for improvements to roads and infrastructure and implemented drug testing requirements for recipients of public assistance programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.

Defense of domestic partner registry

On May 13, 2011, the Walker administration requested that Dane County Circuit Court remove the state as a defendant in Appling v. Doyle, a lawsuit contesting Wisconsin's domestic partner registry.

Bill on regulatory reform

On May 23, 2011, Governor Walker enacted legislation (2011 Wisconsin Act 21) that revised the state's administrative rulemaking procedures. The statute altered agencies’ rulemaking powers, mandated gubernatorial approval for proposed regulations, updated requirements for economic impact assessments, and changed the venues for judicial review.

Legislation on voter identification

On May 25, 2011, Walker signed a law requiring voters to present government-issued identification at the polls. The ACLU initiated a federal lawsuit in December 2011, claiming the law violated equal protection rights. In April 2014, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman invalidated the law, ruling it breached both the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution.

Nonetheless, in July 2014, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the law’s constitutionality under the state constitution. Prior to the 2014 elections, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals permitted enforcement by overturning an earlier federal decision. The U.S. Supreme Court halted enforcement in October 2014 but declined to review the case in March 2015, effectively sustaining Wisconsin’s stricter voter ID requirements.

Refusal of health care funding

In January 2012, Walker declined a $37.6 million federal grant intended to create a health insurance exchange in Wisconsin under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He emphasized that opposing "Obamacare" was a key priority to safeguard Wisconsin’s economy. Additionally, Walker turned down an $11 million federal grant designed to enhance Medicaid enrollment systems. At that time, eligibility determinations could take up to three months, during which the state would cover medical expenses if applicants were later found ineligible. The administration aimed to eliminate presumptive eligibility in favor of immediate verification methods. Rather than expanding Medicaid, Walker tightened eligibility standards for Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program.

Education policies

On April 2, 2012, Walker signed into law measures funding assessments of kindergartners’ reading abilities to ensure proficiency by third grade. The legislation also introduced evaluations of teachers and principals partially based on student outcomes measured through objective tools such as standardized testing.

Walker approved a two-year tuition freeze for the University of Wisconsin System within the 2013 budget and proposed extending this freeze for an additional two years in 2014, citing cash reserves exceeding $1 billion within the system.

On February 3, 2015, Walker suggested placing the University of Wisconsin System under a "private authority" controlled by his appointees on the Board of Regents alongside a proposed 13% reduction in state funding. His plan also sought to amend the Wisconsin Idea, changing the university’s mission from pursuing "the search for truth" to focusing on workforce preparation. This proposal faced significant backlash; initially described by Walker as a "drafting error," he later acknowledged that university officials had raised objections but were informed that modifications would not be accepted.

Indian gaming

Under Section 20(b)(1)(A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), state governors hold the power to approve or veto tribal casinos located off-reservation within their states. Governor Walker implemented a policy, termed the "Walker Rule," which mandated unanimous agreement from every tribe in Wisconsin prior to sanctioning any new off-reservation casino developments. In January 2015, he declined a proposal for a casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Mental health

During the 2013–2015 state budget process, Walker authorized the establishment of the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health. In 2016, he endorsed legislation initiating pilot programs designed to explore alternative care and payment frameworks for Medicaid beneficiaries with severe mental health conditions. By 2017, Walker had increased funding for mental health service providers by $17 million and advocated for peer-operated respite centers.

In response to the Slender Man stabbing, Walker proclaimed August 13, 2014, as "Purple Hearts for Healing Day," urging Wisconsin residents to recognize the victim’s strength and recovery.

Abortion

Walker approved the 2011 state budget that eliminated funding for Planned Parenthood. In 2013, he signed legislation mandating that women seeking abortions undergo an ultrasound and that physicians display the fetal image.

That same year, Walker enacted a law requiring abortion providers to maintain hospital admitting privileges within a 30-mile radius. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated this law in 2015, describing its medical rationale as "nonexistent" and ineffective in enhancing women's health. In June 2016, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt that such restrictions imposed an unconstitutional "undue burden." The Supreme Court later declined to hear Walker’s appeal, leaving the lower court ruling intact. Walker criticized this decision as stemming from an "activist court."

On July 20, 2015, he signed legislation prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of gestation unless the mother's life was at immediate risk.

Right to work legislation

In 2012, Walker opposed right-to-work laws, pledging to prevent such measures from reaching his desk and highlighting collaboration with private sector unions for economic growth. During his 2014 re-election campaign, he reiterated no intention to pursue right-to-work policies. However, after the legislature introduced the bill, Walker stated it was not a priority but committed to signing it if passed. On March 9, 2015, he enacted Wisconsin’s right-to-work law affecting both private and public sector unions. Walker took partial credit for this law, though Politifact characterized it as a significant reversal of his previous stance.

Following its passage, three labor unions including the AFL–CIO filed lawsuits challenging the law’s constitutionality. In March 2015, courts refused to halt enforcement during ongoing litigation. After prolonged legal battles, a federal appeals court upheld Wisconsin's right-to-work statute in 2017, effectively ending major opposition.

WEDC

Established by Walker in 2011 as a semi-public agency succeeding the Department of Commerce, WEDC was designed to promote job growth throughout Wisconsin. A 2013 report by the Legislative Audit Committee revealed that WEDC had granted funds and tax incentives to recipients who did not qualify and lacked consistent oversight of award outcomes. Wisconsin Public Radio highlighted persistent mismanagement issues and insufficient screening of loan applicants.

From 2011 through 2013, WEDC disbursed $124 million without formal evaluations. Of 27 awards issued during that timeframe, only about 2,100 jobs materialized compared to an anticipated 6,100. For example, Kohl's received $62.5 million for headquarters expansion expected to generate 3,000 jobs but produced only 473; Kestrel Aircraft was granted $18 million for creating 665 jobs but achieved just 24; Plexus Corp. obtained $15 million for an estimated 350 jobs but created none. In July 2013, WEDC introduced a policy mandating written assessments for all awards and had completed over 760 such reviews by June 2015.

In February 2015, Walker proposed removing all elected officials—including himself as chairman—from WEDC’s board. The Legislature amended this proposal to exclude only Walker from board leadership. He signed this revised budget into law in July 2015.

Foxconn deal

Governor Walker authorized a pact with the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn to build a $10 billion manufacturing facility in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, offering subsidies estimated between $3 billion and $4.8 billion—the largest subsidy package ever granted to a foreign company in U.S. history. Foxconn pledged to start with 3,000 employees and eventually expand the workforce to 13,000. However, economists expressed skepticism regarding whether the projected economic gains would offset the substantial expenditures, with Wisconsin's Legislative Fiscal Bureau projecting that the investment would only break even by 2043 under optimistic assumptions. Foxconn had previously made similar job creation promises in other locations that went unfulfilled.

Foxconn selected the Great Lakes area primarily for its water resources, and Wisconsin outbid neighboring states by providing more generous financial incentives. Initial subsidy calculations suggested a cost of $231,000 per job created (based on 13,000 jobs), surpassing the annual state budget allocations for both the University of Wisconsin System and state correctional facilities. Later estimates increased the subsidy total to as much as $4.8 billion, raising the per-job cost above $346,000 and potentially exceeding $1 million depending on actual employment outcomes.

Walker granted Foxconn exemptions from state environmental protections concerning wetlands and waterways and collaborated with the Trump administration to relax local air pollution regulations despite objections from the Environmental Protection Agency. The plant was expected to cause a notable rise in pollution levels in the region. Environmental advocates also criticized Foxconn’s planned daily extraction of seven million gallons of water from Lake Michigan. The roughly four-square-mile property acquisition involved threats of eminent domain against local homeowners.

In 2018, Walker’s administration reallocated up to $90 million from local road budgets to fund infrastructure projects related to Foxconn. The state legislature also accorded Foxconn special legal privileges within Wisconsin’s judicial framework.

Restricting powers of incoming Democratic leadership

Following his defeat in the 2018 gubernatorial election, Walker backed Republican efforts in Wisconsin’s legislature to curtail the authority of the incoming Democratic administration during the lame-duck session. In December 2018, he signed laws that diminished executive powers for his successor, provoking threats of legal action. This stance marked a departure from his 2010 opposition to lame-duck session legislation prior to assuming office as governor. Subsequently, Democratic organizations initiated a lawsuit challenging these legislative measures in January 2019.

Evaluations of governorship

By 2019, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel characterized Walker as a divisive figure due to his assertive conservative agenda, especially his unexpected post-election move to limit public-sector unions’ collective bargaining rights and his collaboration with GOP lawmakers to implement policies perceived as disadvantaging Democratic voters.

2016 presidential bid

In January 2015, Walker launched a 527 organization named "Our American Revival" aimed at building political infrastructure and fundraising channels in preparation for a presidential campaign. By February, The New York Times identified him as a leading Republican contender. In April, David Koch publicly signaled support for Walker as a probable nominee.

Walker refrained from addressing contentious questions about President Obama’s patriotism. In June, he established a federal exploratory committee to raise campaign funds while testing viability. Despite aides hinting at an imminent announcement, Walker officially declared his candidacy on July 13, 2015.

By August, Crowdpac ranked him as the fourth-most conservative Republican candidate, while FiveThirtyEight placed him third-most conservative among GOP hopefuls. Though initially viewed as a front-runner following strong support at the Iowa Freedom Caucus, Walker’s poll numbers and fundraising declined throughout summer 2015.

During the August Republican debate in Cleveland, his brief responses limited his exposure and media attention. A September CNN/ORC poll registered his support below one percent. On September 21, 2015, Walker ended his campaign and encouraged conservatives to unite behind an alternative candidate opposing Donald Trump. His campaign struggled due to underwhelming debate performances, insufficient fundraising, and difficulty gaining momentum amid numerous GOP candidates.

On March 29, 2016, Walker endorsed Ted Cruz for president. After Donald Trump secured presumptive nominee status in May, Walker initially supported him over Hillary Clinton but withdrew his endorsement in June following Trump’s controversial remarks about Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel. He maintained conditional support for Trump pending repudiation of those comments.

Additionally, Walker assisted Indiana Governor Mike Pence in preparing for the October 4, 2016 vice-presidential debate against Tim Kaine.

After leaving elected office

In July 2019, Walker revealed plans to assume the presidency of Young America's Foundation, a conservative organization for students, starting in 2021. He indicated that this commitment would prevent him from pursuing elected positions soon, effectively ruling out any Senate candidacy or a gubernatorial comeback in 2022.

On July 17, 2019, President Trump named Walker to the board of trustees for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, part of the Smithsonian Institution.

Abortion

Throughout his career, Walker has maintained a firm stance against abortion. In 2010, speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board, he expressed opposition to abortion even in cases of rape or incest. He remarked, "I don't apologize for that, but I don't focus on that; I don't obsess with it." During his 2014 re-election bid, he identified as anti-abortion and emphasized legislation he endorsed that allows "the final decision to a woman and her doctor." In August 2015, he dismissed the argument that abortion is necessary to save a mother's life as a "false choice."

Prior to the November 2014 election, Walker refrained from explicitly stating whether abortion should be prohibited after 20 weeks. Nevertheless, in July 2015, he signed into law a state ban on abortions beyond 20 weeks, encompassing cases of rape or incest but permitting exceptions if the mother's life is at immediate risk.

Criminal justice

While serving in the state legislature, Walker advocated for stringent crime policies by promoting longer sentences through enhanced mandatory minimums and limiting parole eligibility. In 1996, he declared, "The time has come to keep violent criminals in prison for their full terms." Additionally, he supported the privatization of prisons.

Economic and fiscal policy

During his tenure as Wisconsin's governor, Walker received a B rating in both 2012 and 2014 from the Cato Institute, a libertarian research organization, according to their Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.

Wisconsin, often referred to as "America's Dairyland," leads the nation in dairy farm numbers. In 2012, Walker initiated a program aimed at increasing dairy output, which resulted in an oversupply and falling prices. This development weakened the dairy sector, leaving it susceptible when Canada, China, and Mexico retaliated with tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports following tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. By April 2019, reports indicated that Wisconsin dairy farmers were confronting potential "extinction."

Education

Walker pursued efforts to diminish tenure protections for faculty within the University of Wisconsin System and sought reductions in its funding while granting authority to curtail expenditures. He proposed eliminating portions of the system's mission associated with the Wisconsin Idea, such as the "search for truth," replacing them with an emphasis on fulfilling state workforce demands. Although Walker later described this as a "drafting error," documentation revealed his office was chiefly responsible for these modifications. He endorses public financing for private and religious educational institutions through voucher programs and supports expanding charter schools.

Environment

Walker committed to a "No Climate Tax" pledge, promising not to support any tax increases aimed at combating climate change, and has delivered speeches at the Heartland Institute, an organization known for its stance against mainstream climate science. He advocated for reducing funding for clean energy initiatives and environmental programs, while promoting the transfer of many Environmental Protection Agency responsibilities to state governments. Walker opposed the Obama administration’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Foreign policy

In 2015, Walker endorsed providing arms to Ukraine amid the Russo-Ukrainian War. He vowed to immediately terminate any nuclear agreement with Iran brokered by the Obama administration, irrespective of the views held by European allies. During his 2015 presidential bid, he criticized President Obama’s approach to combating ISIL and did not exclude the possibility of deploying U.S. ground forces in Syria. Walker stressed the need to go beyond air campaigns by employing "precise tactics" and expressed willingness to commit troops on the ground if required.

Walker identified President Ronald Reagan's 1981 dismissal of striking air traffic controllers as his most impactful foreign policy example, underscoring its worldwide signal of American determination. Additionally, he opposed efforts in 2015 to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

Guns

Walker has consistently backed Second Amendment rights. In July 2011, he signed legislation that made Wisconsin the 49th state to allow concealed carry, and later that year, he enacted a law enshrining the castle doctrine. He highlighted these legislative achievements during his 2015 speeches in Iowa.

The NRA Political Victory Fund gave Walker a perfect 100% rating in 2014 and officially endorsed his gubernatorial campaign.

On June 24, 2015, Walker approved laws eliminating Wisconsin’s previous 48-hour waiting period for firearm purchases and permitting retired or off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons in public schools.

Health care

Walker stands against the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and authorized Wisconsin’s participation in a lawsuit aimed at dismantling it, including provisions protecting those with preexisting conditions. He supported the Graham-Cassidy bill intended to repeal the ACA, which would have removed safeguards for individuals with preexisting medical issues. In 2018, Walker committed to passing legislation safeguarding people with preexisting conditions if the ACA were overturned; however, he has yet to present an alternative that offers equivalent protections. As governor, he opposed expanding Medicaid coverage within Wisconsin.

Redistricting

In Wisconsin, redrawing legislative and congressional district boundaries every decade falls under legislative authority following the federal census. After the 2010 Census, Walker approved redistricting legislation during a private event that excluded Democrats and media representatives. In 2016, federal courts ruled that the 2011 redistricting map unfairly favored Republicans through unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. Walker defended these redistricting efforts on Fox News, despite criticism from that network itself.

Immigration

Walker emphasizes securing the U.S.-Mexico border prior to allowing undocumented immigrants to pursue citizenship, insisting they must "join the back of the line" alongside other applicants. He opposes both mass deportations and blanket amnesty measures. In 2015, he described constructing a barrier along the entire 5,525-mile U.S.-Canada border as "a legitimate issue." His immigration stance aligns with Senator Jeff Sessions’ call for reducing legal immigration levels to "protect American workers."

Government's Function

Walker asserted that although government can often become excessively large, essential governmental roles must operate with both efficiency and effectiveness.

Views on Same-Sex Marriage

Walker advocates for marriage exclusively between a man and a woman, having supported Wisconsin’s constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage. Following the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting same-sex marriages in Wisconsin, he accepted the matter as settled. In 2015, he reaffirmed his endorsement of traditional marriage and described the Supreme Court’s nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges as a serious error.

Labor Unions

Walker criticized collective bargaining rights for public-sector unions, viewing them as impediments to achieving a balanced state budget. He enacted right-to-work laws, emphasizing their role in stimulating economic development. The Atlantic characterized his administration by its strong opposition to unions, which elevated his standing as a Republican presidential hopeful. According to Politico, Walker led a resurgence of anti-union legislation across upper Midwestern industrial states, enhancing his national profile within the Republican Party through vigorous anti-union policies and rhetoric.

Youth Legislation

In 2017, Walker approved legislation permitting minors unaccompanied by adults to attend concerts where alcohol is served and allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to work without needing parental consent.

Personal Background

Walker and his wife, Tonette, have two sons and live in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The family attends Meadowbrook Church, an evangelical congregation connected with Elmbrook Church in Brookfield. Tonette Walker is employed in fundraising for the American Lung Association.

During his tenure as Milwaukee County Executive from 2004 to 2009, Walker organized the "Executive's Ride," a motorcycle tour promoting Milwaukee County. He personally rides a 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King.

In 2013, Walker released Unintimidated – A Governor's Story and A Nation's Challenge, co-authored with Marc Thiessen, which recounts his experiences during the recall election and subsequent political victories.

Related Topics

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

Additional Reading

• Cramer, Katherine J. The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker (University Of Chicago Press, 2016)
• Stein, Kate. "Timeline: The Life and Career of Scott Walker," Wisconsin State Journal, July 19, 2015
• Umhoefer, Dave. "From Milwaukee County to Madison, Scott Walker's Rise Marked by Union Battles," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 27, 2016
• Umhoefer, Dave. "From Teacher 'Free Agency' to Merit Pay, the Uproar Over Act 10 Turns into Upheaval in Wisconsin Schools," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 9, 2016

External Resources

• Scott Walker official campaign website

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-