The 2016 Presidential Candidates: Scott Walker
In the penultimate post in our series on the 2016 Presidential Candidates, we look at Scott Kevin Walker, the 45th Governor of Wisconsin, and a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination to the 2016 presidential election. Walker, who will turn 48 on November 2nd, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as the Milwaukee County Executive before winning his election as governor in 2010. He survived a 2012 recall election and was reelected governor in 2014. Walker was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Walker was raised in Iowa and in Delavan, Wisconsin. He attended Marquette University and left Marquette before graduating to take a full-time job with the American Red Cross. Walker was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1992, representing a district in western Milwaukee County. In 2002, Walker was elected County Executive in a special election and was later elected for a full term in 2004 and was reelected in 2008.
Walker ran for Governor of Wisconsin in 2006 and ran again in 2010, defeating Democrat Tom Barrett in the general election. Shortly after his inauguration in 2011, Walker introduced a budget plan which limited the collective bargaining abilities of most Wisconsin public employees. The response to Walker's policies included protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol and an effort to recall Walker. In the 2012 recall election, Walker again defeated Barrett, becoming the first American governor to survive a recall effort. In 2014, Walker defeated his Democratic challenger, businesswoman and Madison school board member Mary Burke.
In late January 2015, Walker set up an organization called "Our American Revival" which was used to build the political and fundraising networks for a run for the presidency. 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. On June 18, 2015, Walker took a further step towards a presidential campaign when he established what he termed a "testing-the-waters" federal campaign committee. On July 2, it was reported and confirmed by Walker aides, "The governor is filing papers announcing his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and would officially announce his intentions in Waukesha, Wisconsin on the afternoon of July 13." On the morning of July 13, Walker announced his candidacy via social media. In a Facebook post before the formal announcement event in Wisconsin, Walker wrote: “I'm in. I'm running for President of the United States because Americans deserve a leader who will fight and win for them." The Facebook post also included a video in which Walker said his, "track record as governor sets him apart from the rest of the Republican field as a proven leader who has succeeded in winning elections and taking on big policy battles." He also said, "I am running for president to fight and win for the American people," and "Without sacrificing our principles, we won three elections in four years in a blue state. We did it by leading."
Walker is currently polling ninth in RealClearPolitics ranking of the GOP Candidates in their averaging of polling data, at 3.0%. Following are some of Walker's political positions on the issues listed below:
Abortion: In 2010 Walker told the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he opposed abortion, without exception for rape or incest. He said "I don't apologize for that, but I don't focus on that; I don't obsess with it." In a TV ad during his 2014 campaign for re-election Walker stated that he is "pro-life", and pointed to legislation he signed that leaves “the final decision to a woman and her doctor”. Walker has since indicated that he would sign a state law banning abortion after 20 weeks, including in cases of rape or incest.
Education: Walker moved to weaken tenure for professors at the University of Wisconsin and to cut its funding. He recommended changing the University's mission "to meet the state's workforce needs". 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.
Environment: Walker signed a “no climate tax” pledge promising not to support any legislation that would raise taxes to combat climate change. He proposed funding cuts for clean energy and other environmental programs and has also proposed giving many powers of the Environmental Protection Agency to the states. He opposed the Obama administration's carbon footprint reduction efforts.
Foreign policy: Walker has said that he would not rule out sending American troops to Syria to confront ISIS. He would provide arms to Ukraine to fight Russian backed rebels in that country, and he opposes ties with Cuba. In 2015, Walker stated that if he were elected president he would immediately rescind any prior White House-brokered deal that did not prevent Iran from attaining nuclear arms. He has criticized President Obama for lack of strategy in dealing with ISIS. On February 3, 2015, in an interview with a Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Walker said "I think anywhere and everywhere, we have to be - 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." On February 28, 2015, in an interview in Palm Beach, Florida, 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. "It sent a message not only across America, it sent a message around the world that we weren't to be messed with", he said.
Gun Control: The National Rifle Association gave Walker a 100% ranking in 2014. In January and April 2015 speeches in Iowa, Walker included passing concealed carry and castle doctrine laws among his accomplishments.
Immigration: Walker has stated that securing the United States border with Mexico is "our first priority". After that, illegal 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. Walker says that he does not advocate deportation for all people in the country illegally, but he is not in favor of amnesty. On August 30, 2015, Walker was asked on Meet the Press to discuss building a wall along the 5,525 mi Canada–United States border. Walker replied that "Some people have asked us about that in New Hampshire. They raised some very legitimate concerns, so that is a legitimate issue for us to look at." Walker has also stated that he believes that legal immigration needs to be "slowed".
Role of government: Walker stated in the Washington Post "Like most Americans, I think government is too big and too expansive, but the government that is necessary should work — and work well."
Same-sex marriage: Walker has said that 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. 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." In April 2015, in New Hampshire, Walker stated that marriage is “defined as between a man and a woman”, and in Iowa he said a federal constitutional amendment allowing states to define marriage was reasonable. Walker called the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26, 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide a "grave mistake".
Labor Issues: Walker said public union collective bargaining rights frustrate balancing the state budget. He signed right-to-work legislation, claiming that it would contribute to economic growth. In 2012, Walker told reporters at the state Republican Party convention that right-to-work legislation was "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." While campaigning for re-election in 2014, Walker again said he had no plans to pursue right-to-work legislation focused on private unions. On March 9, 2015, Walker signed legislation making Wisconsin a right-to-work state. The law applied to private employee unions as well as public. Politifact.com called Walker's position on right-to-work a "major reversal of position".
Voter ID law: On May 25, 2011, Walker signed a Voter ID Law that required voters to show a government-issued ID before casting a ballot. 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. 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. The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the voter ID law under the Constitution of Wisconsin in two other cases in July 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. On October 9, 2014, the state was again barred from implementing the Voter ID law for 2014 by the U.S. Supreme Court. However on March 23, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state of Wisconsin's new stricter voter ID law.
Health care: 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. He also rejected an expansion of Medicaid coverage for the state.
Walker ran for Governor of Wisconsin in 2006 and ran again in 2010, defeating Democrat Tom Barrett in the general election. Shortly after his inauguration in 2011, Walker introduced a budget plan which limited the collective bargaining abilities of most Wisconsin public employees. The response to Walker's policies included protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol and an effort to recall Walker. In the 2012 recall election, Walker again defeated Barrett, becoming the first American governor to survive a recall effort. In 2014, Walker defeated his Democratic challenger, businesswoman and Madison school board member Mary Burke.
In late January 2015, Walker set up an organization called "Our American Revival" which was used to build the political and fundraising networks for a run for the presidency. 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. On June 18, 2015, Walker took a further step towards a presidential campaign when he established what he termed a "testing-the-waters" federal campaign committee. On July 2, it was reported and confirmed by Walker aides, "The governor is filing papers announcing his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and would officially announce his intentions in Waukesha, Wisconsin on the afternoon of July 13." On the morning of July 13, Walker announced his candidacy via social media. In a Facebook post before the formal announcement event in Wisconsin, Walker wrote: “I'm in. I'm running for President of the United States because Americans deserve a leader who will fight and win for them." The Facebook post also included a video in which Walker said his, "track record as governor sets him apart from the rest of the Republican field as a proven leader who has succeeded in winning elections and taking on big policy battles." He also said, "I am running for president to fight and win for the American people," and "Without sacrificing our principles, we won three elections in four years in a blue state. We did it by leading."
Walker is currently polling ninth in RealClearPolitics ranking of the GOP Candidates in their averaging of polling data, at 3.0%. Following are some of Walker's political positions on the issues listed below:
Abortion: In 2010 Walker told the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he opposed abortion, without exception for rape or incest. He said "I don't apologize for that, but I don't focus on that; I don't obsess with it." In a TV ad during his 2014 campaign for re-election Walker stated that he is "pro-life", and pointed to legislation he signed that leaves “the final decision to a woman and her doctor”. Walker has since indicated that he would sign a state law banning abortion after 20 weeks, including in cases of rape or incest.
Education: Walker moved to weaken tenure for professors at the University of Wisconsin and to cut its funding. He recommended changing the University's mission "to meet the state's workforce needs". 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.
Environment: Walker signed a “no climate tax” pledge promising not to support any legislation that would raise taxes to combat climate change. He proposed funding cuts for clean energy and other environmental programs and has also proposed giving many powers of the Environmental Protection Agency to the states. He opposed the Obama administration's carbon footprint reduction efforts.
Foreign policy: Walker has said that he would not rule out sending American troops to Syria to confront ISIS. He would provide arms to Ukraine to fight Russian backed rebels in that country, and he opposes ties with Cuba. In 2015, Walker stated that if he were elected president he would immediately rescind any prior White House-brokered deal that did not prevent Iran from attaining nuclear arms. He has criticized President Obama for lack of strategy in dealing with ISIS. On February 3, 2015, in an interview with a Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Walker said "I think anywhere and everywhere, we have to be - 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." On February 28, 2015, in an interview in Palm Beach, Florida, 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. "It sent a message not only across America, it sent a message around the world that we weren't to be messed with", he said.
Gun Control: The National Rifle Association gave Walker a 100% ranking in 2014. In January and April 2015 speeches in Iowa, Walker included passing concealed carry and castle doctrine laws among his accomplishments.
Immigration: Walker has stated that securing the United States border with Mexico is "our first priority". After that, illegal 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. Walker says that he does not advocate deportation for all people in the country illegally, but he is not in favor of amnesty. On August 30, 2015, Walker was asked on Meet the Press to discuss building a wall along the 5,525 mi Canada–United States border. Walker replied that "Some people have asked us about that in New Hampshire. They raised some very legitimate concerns, so that is a legitimate issue for us to look at." Walker has also stated that he believes that legal immigration needs to be "slowed".
Role of government: Walker stated in the Washington Post "Like most Americans, I think government is too big and too expansive, but the government that is necessary should work — and work well."
Same-sex marriage: Walker has said that 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. 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." In April 2015, in New Hampshire, Walker stated that marriage is “defined as between a man and a woman”, and in Iowa he said a federal constitutional amendment allowing states to define marriage was reasonable. Walker called the U.S. Supreme Court's June 26, 2015 decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide a "grave mistake".
Labor Issues: Walker said public union collective bargaining rights frustrate balancing the state budget. He signed right-to-work legislation, claiming that it would contribute to economic growth. In 2012, Walker told reporters at the state Republican Party convention that right-to-work legislation was "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." While campaigning for re-election in 2014, Walker again said he had no plans to pursue right-to-work legislation focused on private unions. On March 9, 2015, Walker signed legislation making Wisconsin a right-to-work state. The law applied to private employee unions as well as public. Politifact.com called Walker's position on right-to-work a "major reversal of position".
Voter ID law: On May 25, 2011, Walker signed a Voter ID Law that required voters to show a government-issued ID before casting a ballot. 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. 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. The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the voter ID law under the Constitution of Wisconsin in two other cases in July 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. On October 9, 2014, the state was again barred from implementing the Voter ID law for 2014 by the U.S. Supreme Court. However on March 23, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state of Wisconsin's new stricter voter ID law.
Health care: 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. He also rejected an expansion of Medicaid coverage for the state.