In a gubernatorial race experts predicted to be one of the closest in Wisconsin’s history, Gov. Scott Walker won convincingly in an election the Associated Press called at 9:45 p.m.
UW-Madison political science professor David Canon said he expected the gubernatorial race to be closer and that he was surprised the race was called so early in the night.
The governor opened his victory speech by thanking military personnel for protecting citizens’ rights abroad, as well as his family and supporters for helping secure another term.
Much of Walker’s speech was characterized by a sharp dichotomy distinguishing Washington politics from Wisconsin politics.
Walker said while Washington measures success in counting how many people are dependent on food stamps, unemployment benefits and Medicaid, Wisconsin believes in empowering people. He also said the state’s “new, fresh [and] organic” ideas had helped move citizens away from dependence and toward independence by growing the economy and expanding education.
“The difference between Washington and Wisconsin, they’re against something, we are for something,” Walker said. “In America you can do and be anything you want.”
Canon also noted Walker’s potential presidential aspirations.
“I think [a large margin of victory] raises his stock in the presidential sweepstakes,” Canon said. “[But] there is still a long way to go before he is one of the top contenders on the Republican side.”
Walker’s speech concluded with a joke that Independence Day is not celebrated April 15, national tax day.
At an election watch party in Madison, Burke conceded the race shortly after several major news outlets called the election for Walker early in the night.
“For many of us, it feels like getting knocked down,” Burke said. “But if I’ve learned anything over the last 13 months, it’s this: This state we all love so much is full of communities that can take a hit, but that never waver in getting right back up.”
She thanked her friends, family and supporters before thanking those who had worked on her campaign.
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., who won his re-elction bid Tuesday, said he hopes Walker will work with legislators of both parties.
“It’s bittersweet,” Pocan said. “We have a tendency to one year be very blue and one year be very red, which probably means we’re very purple. I also think that … should show us that we have to work together.”
While many students voted for Mary Burke in support of her economic and social policy, some students were motivated to the polls by the prospect of removing the incumbent.
“I’m voting against Scott Walker more than voting for Mary Burke,” said Sam Erickson, a student watching the election results at an event hosted by the Wisconsin Union Directorate Society and Politics Committee.
Walker said in his victory speech he ran a positive campaign that combatted this mentality.
“I’m an optimist, I believed all along if we had a positive message out there, that in the end, people in the state wanted to be for something, not against something,” Walker said.
Dana Kampa and Annie Schoenfeldt contributed to this report.
