Wisconsin gubernatorial election, 2010

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In the Wisconsin gubernatorial election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican Scott Walker defeated Democrat Tom Barrett. Incumbent Jim Doyle (D), decided not to run for a third term.[1]

In the September 14, 2010 primary elections, Barrett, the Mayor of Milwaukee, and Walker, a County Executive of the same, were each challenged by a single opponent. Non-profit executive Timothy S. John lost the Democratic race to Barrett and Mark Neuman, who spent a single term in Congress, failed to top Walker among GOP voters.

November 2, 2010 general election results

As of December 8, 2010, certified results are available along with the signed canvass of votes.[2]

Wisconsin Governor/Lt. Governor, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngScott Walker/Rebecca Kleefisch 52.2% 1,128,941
     Democratic Tom Barrett/Tom Nelson 46.5% 1,004,303
     Independent Jim Langer/No candidate 0.5% 10,608
     Libertarian No candidate/Terry Virgil 0.3% 6,790
     Common Sense James James/No candidate 0.4% 8,273
     Independent Leslie Ervin Smetak/David Myron Smetak 0% 19
     Independent Patricia Messici/No candidate 0% 22
     Independent Hari Trivedi/No candidate 0% 18
     - Scattering 0.1% 1,858
Total Votes 2,160,832
Election results via Wisconsin Government Accountability Board

Inauguration and transition

Inaugural date

Governor-elect Scott Walker was inaugurated on January 3, 2011.

Transition team

Governor-elect Walker set up his transition page at Transition WI. Mike Grebe and John Hiller led the transition as Chairman and Transition Director, respectively.[3]

The transition's physical address was at:

Risser Justice Center
Suite 310
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703

Appointments in the Walker Administration

Three key figures from the Walker campaign moved to the administration in the same positions.[4]

  • Ryan Murray, Director of Policy and Legislative Relations
  • Joe Fadness, Deputy Director for Operations
  • Cullen Werwie, Press Secretary

Keith Gilkes, who served as Walker's Campaign Manager, was officially named Chief of Staff on November 30, 2010[5].

Additional Senior-Level appointments to the Walker Administration were:

  • Eric Schutt-Deputy Chief of Staff
  • Brian Hagedorn-Chief Legal Counsel
  • Chris Schrimpf-Communications Director[6].

Cabinet Appointments

On December 30, 2010, Governor-Elect Walker named the following individuals to his cabinet:

  • Former Assemblyman and Assembly Speaker Ben Brancel-Secretary of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
  • Former Assemblyman and Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch-Secretary of Administration
  • Eloise Anderson-Secretary of Children and Families
  • Former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin-Secretary of Commerce/Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
  • Former Dane County Sheriff Gary Hamblin-Secretary of Corrections
  • Peter Bildsten-Secretary of Financial Institutions
  • Dennis Smith-Secretary of Health Services
  • Former State Senator Cathy Stepp-Secretary of Natural Resources
  • Television Host Stephanie Klett-Secretary of Tourism
  • Former Assemblyman Mark Gottlieb-Secretary of Transportation
  • 2010 Lieutenant Governor Candidate Dave Ross-Secretary of Regulation and Licensing
  • Manny Perez-Secretary of Workforce Development (Labor)[7].

September 14, 2010 primary

It's Barrett and Walker for November in Wisconsin. To no one's real surprise, Democrat Tom Barrett won the primary, all but obliterating his sole opposition. Across the aisle, Scott Walker and Mark Neumann fought an increasingly harsh battle, while the third GOP hopeful, Scott Paterick, simply never got into the race. Fairly early on election night, the race went for Walker, who had been polling ahead, by a 57% to 40% spread.

Democratic

2010 Race for Governor - Democrat Primary[8][9]
Candidates Percentage
Tom Barrett (D) 98.94%
Tim John (D) 1.06%
Total votes 1,057,462

Republican

2010 Race for Governor - Republican Primary[10][11]
Candidates Percentage
Mark Neumann (R) 40.22%
Scott Paterick (R) 2.60%
Scott Walker (R) 57.18%
Total votes 304,946

Race ratings

See also: Gubernatorial elections 2010, Race tracking

2010 Race Rankings Wisconsin
Race Tracker Race Rating
The Cook Political Report[12] Leans Republican
Congressional Quarterly Politics[13] Toss-up
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball[14] Likely Republican
Rasmussen Reports Gubernatorial Scorecard[15] Solid GOP
The Rothenberg Political Report[16] Lean Republican
Overall Call Republican

Changes

9. Cook Political Report moved race from "Toss-up" to "Lean Republican" on October 29th.

8. Rothenberg moved race from "Toss-up Tilting Republican" to "Lean Republican" on October 28th.

7. Larry J. Sabato moved race from "Leans Republican" to "Likely Republican" on October 28th.

6. Rasmussen moved race from "Leans GOP" to "Solid GOP" on October 27th.

5. Rasmussen moved race from "Toss-up" to "Leans GOP" again following October 13th poll.

4. Rasmussen moved race from "Leans GOP" back to "Toss-up" On October 1st.

3. Rasmussen moved race from "Toss-up" to "Leans GOP" again following September 15th poll.

2. Rasmussen moved race from "Leans GOP" back to "Toss-up" following August 27th poll.

1. Rasmussen moved race from "Toss-up" to "Leans GOP" following August 12th poll.

Polling

General election polling

CNN/Time

2010 Race for Wisconsin Governor - CNN/Time Opinion Research
Date Reported Walker (R) Barrett (D) Other Don't Know
September 17-21, 2010[17] 53% 42% 2% 2%
(Sample)[18] n=1,506 MoE=+/- 2.5% p=0.05

Rasmussen Reports

2010 Race for Wisconsin Governor - Rasmussen Reports
Date Reported Walker (R) Barrett(D) Other Don't Know
October 11, 2010[19] 51% 42% 1% 6%
September 29, 2010[20] 50% 44% 1% 4%
September 15, 2010[21] 51% 43% 2% 4%
(Sample)[22] n=750 MoE=+/- 4.0% p=0.05

Primary election polling

Neumann v. Barrett

2010 Race for Wisconsin Governor - Rasmussen Reports[23]
Date Reported Neumann (R) Barrett (D) Other Don't Know
August 24, 2010[24] 48% 44% 3% 4%
July 27, 2010 44% 45% 5% 6%
July 13, 2010 43% 45% 7% 5%
June 21, 2010 47% 39% 7% 7%
May 25, 2010 44% 42% 6% 8%
April 20, 2010 46% 46% 4% 5%
March 16, 2010 46% 42% 4% 8%
February 17, 2010 44% 42% 4% 10%
(Sample)[25] n=500 MoE=+/- 4.5% p=0.05

Walker v. Barrett

2010 Race for Wisconsin Governor - Rasmussen Reports[26]
Date Reported Walker (R) Barrett (D) Other Don't Know
August 24, 2010[27] 47% 44% 4% 4%
July 27, 2010 50% 43% 2% 5%
July 13, 2010 48% 44% 4% 4%
June 21, 2010 49% 41% 7% 7%
May 25, 2010 48% 41% 3% 8%
April 20, 2010 46% 44% 3% 7%
March 16, 2010 48% 42% 2% 8%
February 17, 2010 49% 40% 1% 10%
(Sample)[28] n=500 MoE=+/- 4.5% p=0.05

Candidates

The November Ballot – Who Made It? Wisconsin Governor[29]
Nominee Affiliation
Tom Barrett and Tom Nelson Democrat
Scott Walker and Rebecca Kleefisch Republican
James James Common Sense
James Dean "Jim" Langer Independent
"No Candidate" (on the ballot w/ Lt. gov. candidate Terry Virgil) Libertarian
Hariprasad Trivedi Independent (write-in)
Leslie Ervin Smetak (write-in)
This lists candidates who won their state's primary or convention, or who were unopposed, and who were officially certified for the November ballot by their state's election authority.

Democratic

  • Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee and attorney, helped found the M-7 group to spur economic development in southern Wisconsin[30]
  • Timothy S. John, an author and nonprofit executive[31]


Former Candidates

  • Jared Gary Christiansen did not meet the July 15, 2010 deadline to file nomination papers
  • Barbara Lawton, Wisconsin's current lt. governor, left the race October 26, 2009, saying, "For very personal reasons, I will not pursue the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010."[32]
  • Dominic L. Reinwand also did not file papers by July 15, 2010
  • Frederick Westphal[33] also missed the July 15, 2010 filing deadline

Libertarian

  • Erick Scoglio was not able to gather adequate signatures by the filing deadline, but Terry Virgil was able to qualify for the ballot as the Libertarian nominee for lieutenant governor. Because voters don't vote separately for governor and lieutenant governor in Wisconsin, the Libertarian ticket was listed as "No candidate" for governor and Terry Virgil for lieutenant governor.

Republican

  • Mark Neumann moved from teaching college mathematics to starting a real estate business to running successfully for Congress in 2004. He served a single term before challenging Russ Feingold for Wisconsin's Senate seat, ultimately losing.[34]
  • Scott Walker served as the Milwaukee County Executive beginning in 2002


Former Candidates

  • Steven R. Evans switched his candidacy from Independent to Republican on May 24, 2010 but then failed to file papers by July 15th
  • William Michael "Bill" Ingram dropped out the race to pursue a seat in the General Assembly as of May 5, 2010. He endorsed Scott Walker
  • Scott S. Paterick
  • John Schiess ended his campaign when he turned in an insufficient number of signatures on July 15th.
  • Travis D. Swenby did not file nomination papers by the deadline
  • Mark Todd left the race of April 15, 2010, citing difficulties in remaining competitive in the fundraising race

Independent

  • James James, a Fond du Lac native who founded a construction company, campaigned with the Common Sense party
  • James Dean Langer


Former Candidates

  • Michael J. Blinkwitz did not file papers by the deadline
  • Danny M. Gawrisch did not file enough valid signatures
  • Phil Miller switched from running as a Republican to running as an Independent on February 22, 2010 but did not file nomination papers in the end.
  • Kevin Gene Schmidtke did not file on time
  • Bruce L. VanSky did not file papers by the deadline
  • Terry Virgil[33] switched to the Lieutenant Governor's race under the Libertarian banner on April 15th.

Write-in

  • Leslie Ervin Smetak entered the race as a write-in after being laid off. Her campaign focused on encouraging other victims of layoffs and economic distress to vote for candidates who pledged to provide more social services.
  • Hariprasad Trivedi

Campaign issues

Abortion

Two other endorsements came out in June which had the possibility to affect the election very significantly. Democrat Jim Doyle, who held the office for eight years,supportered legalized abortion and abortion rights. Wisconsin's last two Republican governors, Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum, neither sought nor received endorsements from major right to life groups. Nor did 2006 GOP gubernatorial hopeful Mark Green, despite an extensive Congressional voting record that supported pro-life positions.[35]

However, both Mark Neumann and Scott Walker received 100% scores and formal gubernatorial endorsements[36] from Wisconsin Right to Life. Moreover, the smaller and more hardline group Pro Life Wisconsin, which opposes birth control under any circumstances and opposes abortion even in cases of rape, incest, and threats to the mother's life, made endorsements of both Mr. Walker and Mr. Neumann.[37]

By the time these two groups had made endorsements, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, the political arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, had already endorsed Democrat Tom Barrett[38][39], setting the stage for the primaries and the fall campaign season to veer into one of America's most continually heated social issues.

Signaling that this may just what to expect from Wisconsin's primary season, Right to Life Legislative Director Susan Armacost criticized Mr. Barrett's positions, saying, "We will have much more to say about Barrett's record in the months to come."

John-David Morgan's comments

In its Sunday section on September 19, 2010, the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel broke the story of a union organizer for SIEU Local No. 1, John-David Morgan, who made damaging contents about alleged coordination between the union PAC and Democrat Tom Barrett's campaign. Morgan was unaware that the man he was speaking to was a paid staffer for Republican Scott Walker and that the staffer, Michael Brickman, was recording the entire conversation.

On the recording, Morgan boasted about having the local media on his side and claimed to have supervisory level government employees working with him to discredit Walker. The Wisconsin Republican Party filed an official complaint on September 20th and SIEU announced they had fired Morgan.[40]

Commercials

Primary campaign

Candidates

Tom Barrett

Mark Neumann

Scott Walker

527 organizations

One Wisconsin Now

Republican Governors Association

General Election

Candidates

Tom Barrett

Scott Walker

527 organizations

One Wisconsin Now

Republican Governors Association

Key endorsements

Tom Barrett (D)

Mark Neumann (R)

Scott Walker (R)

Gubernatorial electoral history

1998 Gubernatorial Results[76]
Candidates Percentage
Tommy Thompson (R) 59.66%
Ed Garvey (D) 38.70%
Jim Mueller (L) 0.63%
Edward Frami (T) 0.58%
Mike Mangan (I) 0.28%
(write-in) 0.14%
Total votes 1,756,014
2002 Gubernatorial Results[77][78]
Candidates Percentage
James Doyle (D) 45.09%
Scott McCallum (R) 41.39%
A. Ed Thompson (L) 10.45%
James Young (WG) 2.48%
(write-in) 0.59%
Total votes 1,765,899
2006 Gubernatorial Results[79][80]
Candidates Percentage
Jim Doyle (D) 52.70%
Mark Green (I) 45.31%
Nelson Eisman (WG) 1.88%
(write-in) 0.11%
Total votes 2,161,700




Presidential electoral history

2000 Presidential Results
Candidates Percentage
George W. Bush (R) 47.61%
Al Gore (D) 47.83%
2004 Presidential Results
Candidates Percentage
George W. Bush (R) 49.32%
John Kerry (D) 49.70%
2008 Presidential Results[81]
Candidates Percentage
John McCain (R) 42.31%
Barack Obama (D) 56.22%


1992 Presidential Results
Candidates Percentage
George H.W. Bush (R) 36.78%
Bill Clinton (D) 41.13%
1996 Presidential Results
Candidates Percentage
Bob Dole (R) 38.48%
Bill Clinton (D) 48.81%

See also

External links

Wisconsin

Candidates

Footnotes

  1. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Doyle won't seek re-election in 2010," August 15, 2009
  2. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "G.A.B. Canvass Reporting System," December 8, 2010
  3. Transition WI, "Mike Grebe and John Hiller to Lead Transition Team for Governor-Elect Walker," November 5, 2010
  4. Transition WI, "Governor-Elect Walker Transition Office: Open for Business," November 8, 2010
  5. La Crosse Tribune, "PdC native Keith Gilkes named Walker's chief of staff ," November 30, 2010
  6. CBS 5 Green Bay, "Governor-Elect Walker announces senior-level staff," December 29, 2010 (dead link)
  7. Channel 3000 "Walker Names Cabinet Secretaries," December 30, 2010
  8. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board: Elections Division, “Election Night Results ”, September 14, 2010
  9. Wisconsin Vote, “Election Results”, September 14, 2010 (dead link)
  10. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board: Elections Division, “Election Night Results ”, September 14, 2010
  11. Wisconsin Vote, “Election Results”, September 14, 2010 (dead link)
  12. The Cook Political, “Governors: Race Ratings”
  13. CQ Politics, “2010 Race Ratings: Governors”
  14. Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball', “2010 Governor Ratings”
  15. Rasmussen Reports', “Election 2010: Scorecard Ratings”
  16. Rothenberg Political Report, “Governor Ratings”
  17. CNN/Time Opinion Research, “Colorado, Delaware, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania”, September 22, 2010
  18. [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
  19. Rasmussen Reports, “Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) Still Ahead of Barrett (D)”, October 13, 2010
  20. Rasmussen Reports, “Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor: Race Between Walker (R), Barrett (D) Gets Tighter”, October 1, 2010
  21. Rasmussen Reports, “Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) 51%, Barrett (D) 43%”, September 19, 2010
  22. [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
  23. Rasmussen Reports, “Toplines: Wisconsin Governor 2010”, accessed July 31, 2010
  24. Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor: Republican Hopefuls Barely Ahead in Wisconsin Governor's Race," August 27, 2010
  25. [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
  26. Rasmussen Reports, “Toplines: Wisconsin Governor 2010”, accessed July 31, 2010
  27. Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor: Republican Hopefuls Barely Ahead in Wisconsin Governor's Race," August 27, 2010
  28. [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
  29. Wisconsin Government Accountability Board - Elections & Voting “Candidates Registered by Office, accessed September 20, 2010
  30. FOX 6 Now, "Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announces he's running for Governor of Wisconsin" 14 Nov. 2009 (dead link)
  31. The Daily Cardinal, "Democrat Tim John enters governor race" 30 Nov. 2009
  32. FOX 6 Now, "Barbara Lawton bails out of Governor's race in Wisconsin" 26 Oct. 2009 (dead link)
  33. 33.0 33.1 Candidates Registered for Fall Election
  34. Madison Political Buzz Examiner, "Republican Mark Neumann enters Wisconsin race for governor" 3 July, 2009
  35. Chicago Tribune, "Abortion debate could affect Wis. governor's race," July 11, 2010
  36. Wisconsin Right to Life, "Wisconsin Right to Life Political Action Committee Endorses Scott Walker and Mark Neumann for Governor," July 1, 2010
  37. 37.0 37.1 37.2 ProLife Wisconsin, "PLW Victory Fund PAC announces dual endorsement of Mark Neumann and Scott Walker for governor," June 22, 2010
  38. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, "Tom Barrett - PPAWI Endorsed Candidate for Governor,"accessed July 17, 2010
  39. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, "Planned Parenthood Endorses Tom Barrett for Governor ," June 7, 2010
  40. Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel, "Union fires lobbyist with loose lips," September 21, 2010
  41. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "NYC Mayor Bloomberg endorses Barrett for governor" 6 July, 2010
  42. Freedom Eden, "Michael Bloomberg Endorses Tom Barrett" 19 July, 2010
  43. Fair Wisconsin - Fall 2010 Endorsements (dead link)
  44. The Badger Herald, "Obama endorses Barrett during WI visit" 16 Aug. 2010
  45. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, "Planned Parenthood Endorses Tom Barrett for Governor" 7 June, 2010
  46. Pretty Important, "Planned Parenthood Advocates endorse Tom Barrett while WI Family Action and Craig Fletcher bleed hypocrisy" 9 June, 2010
  47. SEIU Wisconsin State Council, "SEIU Endorses Barrett for Governor," April 14, 2010
  48. Sierra Club, "Sierra Club endorses Tom Barrett for Governor" 16 Aug. 2010
  49. Uppity Wisconsin, "Conservation Voters Endorse Tom Barrett - Press Release" 13 July, 2010
  50. Wisconsin Professional Police Association - The WPPA Endorses Tom Barrett for Governor
  51. The Wheeler Report, "Wisconsin State AFL‐CIO Endorses Tom Barrett for Governor" 15 Dec. 2009
  52. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Neumann gets endorsement from Sen. Coburn" 3 May, 2010
  53. Republican Liberty Caucus of Wisconsin, "Mark Neumann Prides His RLC Endorsement" 19 July, 2010
  54. 54.0 54.1 Wisconsin Family Voice, "WFA PAC endorses Walker and Neumann for governor!" 30 July, 2010
  55. 55.0 55.1 Life News, "Wisconsin Right to Life Endorses Scott Walker and Mark Neumann for Governor" 2 July, 2010
  56. WKOW 27 "Jeb Bush Backs Scott Walker for Governor" 8 March, 2010
  57. ABC News, "Jeb Bush Sees Rising Star in Wisconsin Governor's Race" 12 May, 2010
  58. WisPolitics, "CORN PAC Announces Endorsement of Scott Walker" 30 Aug. 2010
  59. Wisconsin Internet News, "Wisconsin Corn Growers Endorse Scott Walker for Governor" 31 Aug. 2010
  60. Wisconsin Ag Connection, "DBA Endorses Scott Walker for Governor" 17 Aug. 2010
  61. Wisconsin Internet News, "Dairy Business Association Endorses Scott Walker for Governor" 17 Aug. 2010
  62. NBC 26 "Big Endorsement for Scott Walker" 10 May, 2010
  63. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mark Green endorses Scott Walker in governor's race" 10 May, 2010
  64. Milwaukee Police Association, "2010 Endorsement Flyer" (dead link)
  65. WisPolitics, "Walker Campaign: Milwaukee Professional Firefighters proudly endorse Scott Walker for governor" 13 Aug. 2010
  66. FOX 11 "Tom Ridge endorses Scott Walker in Wis. governor's race" 11 Aug. 2010 (dead link)
  67. 67.0 67.1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sensenbrenner and Ryan endorse Scott Walker" 4 Aug. 2010
  68. 68.0 68.1 Freedom Eden, "Jim Sensenbrenner and Paul Ryan Endorse Scott Walker" 5 Aug. 2010
  69. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, "Volunteers for Agriculture Endorse Scott Walker for Governor" 20 Aug. 2010 (dead link)
  70. Wisconsin Internet News, "Wisconsin Grocers Association Endorses Scott Walker for Governor" 26 Aug. 2010
  71. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker wins overwhelming endorsement of state Republicans" 22 May, 2010
  72. FOX 6 Now, "Wisconsin Republicans endorse Scott Walker for governor" 22 May, 2010 (dead link)
  73. Wisconsin Internet News, "Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association Political Action Committee endorses Scott Walker," October 22, 2010
  74. NFIB "NFIB Wisconsin Endorses Scott Walker for Governor," October 21, 2010
  75. Wisconsin Troopers Association, "Wisconsin Troopers Association Endorses Scott Walker," September 13, 2010 (dead link)
  76. US Election Atlas, “1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Wisconsin”
  77. US Election Atlas, “2002 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Wisconsin”
  78. Wisconsin State Election Board, “Governor, Wisconsin State Elections Board Canvass - County Totals Fall General Election - 11/05/2002”
  79. US Election Atlas, “2006 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Wisconsin”
  80. Wisconsin State Election Board, “Governor, Wisconsin State Elections Board Canvass - County Totals Fall General Election - 11/02/2006”
  81. Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections', accessed July 28, 2010