Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker beat back a recall challenge on Tuesday, winning both
the right to finish his term and a voter endorsement of his strategy to curb state
spending, which included the explosive measure that eliminated union rights for most
public workers. With his defeat of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and the union leaders
who rallied for months against Walker's agenda, the rising GOP star became the first
governor in U.S. history to survive a recall attempt.
Democrats and organized
labor spent millions to oust Walker, but found themselves hopelessly outspent by Republicans
from across the country who donated record-setting sums to Walker. Republicans hope
the victory carries over into November and that their get-out-the-vote effort can
help Mitt Romney become the first GOP nominee to carry the state since Ronald Reagan
in 1984.
Romney issued a statement saying Walker's victory “will echo beyond
the borders of Wisconsin.”