# Can Scott Walker be re-elected Governor of Wisconsin? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184 "2014-06-20T00:36:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/401 "2015-07-17T23:32:28Z")
I’m no expert. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. However, the title of the article I linked in post 394 was, “Prosecutors could appeal to federal court on justices’ failure to recuse.” So at least someone thinks it may end up in front of SCOTUS. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/402 "2015-07-18T00:03:26Z")
[The Inside Story of the Crony Court that Deep-Sixed the Scott Walker Probe](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/the-inside-story-of-the-crony-court-that-deep-sixed-the-scott-walker-probe) > [@](#): > > Collectively, those four justices have thus far received just under $6 million from Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and about $2 million from Wisconsin Club for Growth – the two groups being investigated for wrongdoing and who, along with the Walker campaign, launched the case against their prosecution. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/403 "2015-07-18T17:55:20Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > [The Inside Story of the Crony Court that Deep-Sixed the Scott Walker Probe](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/the-inside-story-of-the-crony-court-that-deep-sixed-the-scott-walker-probe) Your cite misstates the case. The justices did not receive any of the money in question. [QUOTE=Lance Turbo] So at least someone thinks it may end up in front of SCOTUS. [/QUOTE] And the OP was written by somebody who thought that Walker would not be re-elected, and would be indicted. You ought not to confuse what the anti-Walker folks in Wisconsin and nationally say, with what is real. It generally turns out to be accusations, spin, and wishful thinking. The progressives in Wisconsin are nothing if not persistent. Their investigations keep getting shut down for lack of evidence, the courts tell them that the basis for their allegations is wrong, the election results tell them that their candidates are losers. Yet they keep trying. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/404 "2015-07-18T18:57:45Z")
Seems there was some evidence, since they were ordered to destroy it. One is not ordered to destroy things that don’t exist, as a general rule. And nobody suggests that these worthies actually received any money personally, but that the money was used to support their election. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/405 "2015-07-18T20:22:06Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > To follow up: [Wisconsin Supreme Court rules Walker didn’t violate campaign finance laws](http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/scott-walker-campaign-finance-laws-no-violation-wisconsin-supreme-court-120220.html) Props for bringing this up Terr. As I read it, the article says that prosecutors claimed that Walker twisted arms and pushed donors to contribute to the Wisconsin Club for Growth. The defense didn’t deny that, but noted that Walker did not technically become a candidate until 4/9/2012, so his arm twisting before that date was legal. The Wisconsin Supreme court voted 4-2 in favor of the defense. Many of the judges were themselves beneficiaries of Wisconsin Club for Growth Cash: none of them recused themselves, raising eyebrows among sober and fair minded observers. [1] This is the sort of thing we have courts for. I support the investigation. I accept the decision by the court. If you don’t want to get investigated, don’t skirt the edges of the law. For Walker to encourage donors to give to shady third party groups that supported his campaign is an example of sleaze innovation: I expect both parties to do the same moving forwards. That’s the ratchet effect at work. [1] (Barroom carousers were divided.) ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/406 "2015-08-24T20:27:46Z")
[More the investigation and the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision](http://washingtonspectator.org/scott-walker-scot-free/) > [@](#): > > The 1,600 pages of Rindfleisch emails obtained by state investigators made it quite evident that Walker loyalists on the Milwaukee County payroll had worked on his campaign for governor during office hours. > > Walker says he was unaware of any campaign work conducted by county staff. The emails belie that defense. He was copied on much of the correspondence: some as routine as daily press clips and information on events, others emails discussing campaign tactics and strategy. > [@](#): > > Investigators turned up hundreds of emails describing precisely the coordination proscribed by Wisconsin state law. Examples (with emphasis added) follow: > [@](#): > > Equally important, in declaring unconstitutional the restrictions on tax-exempt, non-profit groups running advocacy campaigns, the justices vindicated themselves. Wisconsin Manufacturing & Commerce, which had spent millions electing Walker, had also spent $6.75 million on “independent” issue ads attacking opponents of the four Republican justices. > > The four conservative justices were carried into office on a tide of WMC money that paid for advocacy ads attacking their opponents. Part of the same vast pool of corporate cash that initially elected, then kept Scott Walker in office. > > Yet there were no recusals. No reservations. The court was put in place to serve the interests of the governor. In July, it delivered. > > Following the decision, Governor Walker urged legislators to do away with the Government Accountability Board, which oversees Wisconsin’s elections. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/407 "2015-08-24T22:24:33Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > [More the investigation and the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision](http://washingtonspectator.org/scott-walker-scot-free/) Yawn. You guys keep desperately trying. It’s fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/408 "2017-05-31T16:00:13Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > . . . > Walker “pro-growth”? Maybe, if the growth is in industries owned by his friends. If he’s so damned pro growth why did he block high speed rail? That, alone, probably slowed economic growth in Wisconsin by some significantly measurable amount. He’s “pro-growth” and Minnesota isn’t, yet Minnesota is doing better. . . Updating: Wisconsin added [just 11,590 private sector jobs in 2016](http://www.wkow.com/story/35527559/2016-marks-worst-year-for-job-growth-under-gov-walker), good for a growth rate of 0.5 percent according to data released Friday by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. By contrast, [Minnesota added 15,000 jobs in just April 2017](http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/05/18/15000-jobs-added-april/). Since Walker came to office in 2011, Wisconsin has added 179,820 jobs, still short of the 250,000 he originally promised to create during his first term which ended in 2014. For three straight years [Wisconsin has ranked dead last](http://www.jsonline.com/story/money/2017/05/18/third-straight-year-wisconsin-ranks-last-business-startup-activity/328803001/)nationally in startup activity. If one includes sales and property taxes, people with incomes of over $400K pay, on average, state and local taxes of 6.2% of income, the lowest overall rate in the state. By contrast, people earning between $38K and $91K pay 10.2% and people earning under $22K pay 8.9%. [link](http://www.wisconsinbudgetproject.org/wisconsins-tax-system-exacerbates-growing-gap-between-rich-and-everyone-else-2) And this will get worse if the slightly progressive income tax is turned into a flat tax as has been proposed in the Party of Putin controlled state legislature. Oh, and then there are the social issues. For example, a background check to get a permit to sing at the Capitol is required, but not to buy an assault rifle at a gun show. Drug testing for people on disability, required, but not to buy a weapon of mass murder. With all those things, plus the corruption of Walker’s economic development agency, and his miserable failure on the national stage, one would think he’d pause before seeking re-election in 2018. Nope. He’ll run. And with the WOW counties behind him and the harshest voter suppression laws in the country, he just might win again. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/409 "2017-05-31T16:34:55Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Updating: > > Wisconsin added [just 11,590 private sector jobs in 2016](http://www.wkow.com/story/35527559/2016-marks-worst-year-for-job-growth-under-gov-walker), good for a growth rate of 0.5 percent according to data released Friday by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. By contrast, [Minnesota added 15,000 jobs in just April 2017](http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/05/18/15000-jobs-added-april/). That seems like a funny comparison. If one compares apples to apples - > [@](#): > > Wisconsin added 14,800 jobs in April 2017 according to the CES survey while the broader CPS employment measure rose by 17,063… [Cite](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/wisconsin/). So by one measure, Wisconsin added two hundred jobs less than Minnesota, and by another two thousand more. Is the idea that Walker is a bad governor because Wisconsin is doing almost as well, or perhaps somewhat better, than Minnesota during April? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/410 "2017-06-01T01:08:14Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Oh, and then there are the social issues. For example, a background check to get a permit to sing at the Capitol is required, but not to buy an assault rifle at a gun show. Drug testing for people on disability, required, but not to buy a weapon of mass murder. > > With all those things, plus the corruption of Walker’s economic development agency, and his miserable failure on the national stage, one would think he’d pause before seeking re-election in 2018. Nope. He’ll run. And with the WOW counties behind him and the harshest voter suppression laws in the country, he just might win again. If you want us to take you seriously, you’ll have to lay off the unhelpful rhetoric, and also learn what “assault rifle” actually means. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/411 "2017-06-01T01:43:45Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > That seems like a funny comparison. If one compares apples to apples - > [Cite](http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/wisconsin/). So by one measure, Wisconsin added two hundred jobs less than Minnesota, and by another two thousand more. Is the idea that Walker is a bad governor because Wisconsin is doing almost as well, or perhaps somewhat better, than Minnesota during April? > > Regards, > Shodan [(Minnesota) has added 268,000 jobs since January 2011.](http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2017/04/20/minnesotas-private-sector-surpasses-2-5-million.html) So almost 90,000 more than Wisconsin over the same period. Neighboring states with similar demographics. Wisconsin 100% Republican, Minnesota mixed government. Minnesota has also had fewer budget problems than Wisconsin in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/412 "2017-06-01T13:09:43Z")
More cherry-picking. > [@](#): > > Minnesota had a lower unemployment rate and higher income than Wisconsin at the start of 2011. But since then, the unemployment rate has fallen more in Wisconsin and per capita output growth in Wisconsin has outpaced Minnesota each year. Since 2012 real per capita disposable personal income—a broad measure of average after-tax income—has fallen in Minnesota. In Wisconsin, due to reductions in state taxes, real after-tax incomes have increased twice as fast as the nation as a whole. > > The labor market in Wisconsin tightened substantially under Gov. Walker, with the unemployment rate falling from 8.1% in December 2010 to 4.6% in May 2015. On the bright side, Walker can’t possibly be re-elected, and will soon be indicted, convicted, and sent to prison. And yes, Virginia - there is a Santa Claus. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/413 "2017-06-01T15:44:32Z")
Am I missing something? That article doesn’t seem to mention Wisconsin at all. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/414 "2017-06-01T16:07:24Z")
You’re not missing anything - I did. I forgot to cite. It’s [here](https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2015/07/20/under-scott-walker-wisconsin-has-prospered-keep-that-in-mind-for-2016/#3208529a1786). Sorry - I was distracted by actual work. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/415 "2018-10-19T17:44:35Z")
It looks like this thread is relevant again. Recent polls show Scott Walker and his Democratic challenger Tony Evers in a tight race, with Evers having a slight lead. [Fivethirtyeight.com](http://Fivethirtyeight.com)’s governor’s race forecast lists Wisconsin as “lean D”, giving Evers a 5 in 8 chance and Walker a 3 in 8 chance of winning the election. However, Nate Silver writes > [@](#): > > In Wisconsin, incumbent Republican Scott Walker trails Democrat Tony Evers by 5 points in our polling average, but the fundamentals think he “should” narrowly win re-election. The Classic version of our model evaluates this race as leaning Democratic, but with Walker having a better chance than polls alone would suggest. > **[2018 Governors Forecast](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-midterm-election-forecast/governor/)** > > FiveThirtyEight's predictions for the 2018 gubernatorial elections > **[Odds Are, Your Next Governor Will Be A Democrat](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/odds-are-your-next-governor-will-be-a-democrat/)** > > In the midterm elections for the House and Senate, Democrats are very likely to win the majority of votes, but they face structural barriers to winning the majo… Of note: Four former Walker administration officials have come out in opposition of his re-election. > [@](#): > > MADISON - A fourth former official in Gov. Scott Walker’s administration has publicly denounced the governor as he seeks a third term — this time, leaving his six-figure job to do so. > > “We were proud to lead the way on some of his bold initiatives in our state agencies,” the three wrote of working with Walker. “That pride evaporated at various times for each of us as we found ourselves disagreeing with both policy and practices within the administration that lacked integrity. It became clear that his focus was not on meeting his obligations to the public but to advancing his own political career at a tremendous cost to taxpayers and families.” > **[Fourth former Scott Walker administration official blasts the governor ahead...](https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/10/18/4th-former-walker-administration-official-throws-support-evers/1682929002/)** > > Former WEDC CEO Paul Jadin throws support behind Tony Evers ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/416 "2018-10-21T16:54:46Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > If you want us to take you seriously, you’ll have to lay off the unhelpful rhetoric, **and also learn what “assault rifle” actually means**. This again? :dubious: Seriously? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/417 "2018-10-22T09:30:05Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > For example, a background check to get a permit to sing at the Capitol is required, but not to buy an assault rifle at a gun show. I sell so called “assault weap:rolleyes:ns” at gun shows and am required to conduct a background check on everyone I sell to. As are all the other dealers I know. Unlicensed sellers actually sell very few guns. Because they don’t have an FFL they can’t buy wholesale and there isn’t much profit involved for them. I see very, very few unlicensed dealers at gun shows. And the ones I do occasionally see are mostly selling parts, magazines, and old or antique firearms. As for the governors race, it seems to me the polls are almost at the same place they were 4 years ago…when Walker won! ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/418 "2018-10-26T16:06:18Z")
Walker has **outright lied** about his position on requiring insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions at a reasonable price. He has ordered his state attorney general to sue in federal court to end the ACA including the preexisting conditions requirement and at the same time has said in his ads no one with such a condition would lose coverage. The “Scottholes” campaign blaming Walker for poor highway maintenance has been at least somewhat effective. As usual, the Kochs are pouring in tens of millions to prop up Walker. Maybe this time it won’t work. Walker now running lots of ads on Minneapolis television. That’s a sign of desperation. It is far more expensive to use the Minneapolis TV market to reach their voters, not very many of which are even within the reach of those ads. Does indicate they have a crap ton of money if they are willing to do that. They might even have more money than they know how to spend. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/419 "2018-10-26T16:45:58Z")
Posters responding to earlier posts should check the dates. Posts 1-407 are all over three years old. Posts 408-414 are nearly a year and a half old. Only posts 415+ are current. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184/420 "2018-10-28T00:47:43Z")
This was written by another poster on a Wisconsin board. Guy (or Gal) was a thirty year Wisconsin state employee. > [@](#): > > I worked in State Government for over 30 years, so I have a base of experience. The organization was at least 80% federally funded, so it had a great deal in common with federal agencies. > > I found the guy at the top in Madison had a great impact. LSD, Tommy and Tony kept things running without much political interference, giving the state and university experts the lead in developing the details of policy. Conversely Walker brought politics into every level of administration. He installed political operatives, including one with no greater qualification than being the very young and woefully inexperienced son of a lobbyist, into critical leadership positions. As a career executive, Walker’s office asked me more purely political questions about policies in his first two years than I was asked in the prior twenty. Whether the policy at issue was good or not seldom factored in. How it played with a certain constituency was the one and only concern. I eventually left as I could not, in good conscience, defend his positions to my staff, much less the public. He is the most pure political animal in my experience to hold the office. It shows he’s never had a non-political job. (Note: LSD - Was Lee Dreyfus who was governor from the late 70’s into the 80’s) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-scott-walker-be-re-elected-governor-of-wisconsin/691184.md?page=22)