Walker Reminds Voters Of Union Wins As He Enters 2016 Race
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Wisconsin's Republican Gov. Scott Walker made it official today: He's running for President.
On Twitter, Walker said:
Walker won three Wisconsin elections in four years, including a bitter recall vote in 2012. It's made him a national hero to Republicans, and a villain to Democrats.
Walker made his reputation as a public union buster, outlasting tens of thousands of protesters at the Wisconsin Capitol and surviving a subsequent recall election.
That's the centerpiece of his presidential campaign video, which highlights both controversies.
"We fought, and we won," Walker said, before taking a swipe at his 14 competitors. "In the Republican field there are some who are good fighters, but they haven't won those battles. And there are others who have won elections, but haven't consistently taken on the big fights."
Walker enters the race on top among Republicans in Iowa. A Quinnipeac Poll puts Walker at 18 percent, ahead of Donald Trump (10 percent), Ben Carson (10 percent), Ted Cruz (9 percent), and Rand Paul (9 percent).
Wisconsin Associated Press reporter Todd Richmond said Walker's conservative political rise is no accident.
"He's passed voter ID requirements here," he said. "He's passed concealed carry. He's passed right-to-work legislation. He's hitting all these key points that are going to play well with the Republican base, not only in Wisconsin but across the country at this point."
Democrats say Wisconsin's economy is lagging in almost every category under Walker, especially job creation and unemployment. Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and is leading the national Democratic response.
"The people of Wisconsin and the people of the United States are not going to ignore a record that is proven to be false," Rybak said.
Walker is the 15th Republican in the presidential race and the seventh governor or former governor who is running.
In 2012, Minnesota had two GOP Presidential candidates: former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and former Rep. Michele Bachmann.
