Wis. governor: GOP's Walker wins re-election
Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker has won re-election to a new term — the third time in four years voters have sent him to the governor's office.
Walker beat Democratic businesswoman Mary Burke in one of the nation's most closely watched races for governor.
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Walker gained a national profile shortly after taking office in 2011, as he pushed lawmakers in Wisconsin to take away the collective bargaining rights of most state workers. Opponents responded by trying to boot Walker from office, and he became the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election the following year. Political observers believe the win may boost Walker's future presidential ambitions.
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Walker argued this year he deserved a second term after working with the GOP-controlled Legislature to wipe out a $3.6 billion budget shortfall and cut taxes by $2 billion, and presiding over the addition of more than 110,000 private-sector jobs.
Burke told voters Wisconsin could have done better, blasting Walker for falling far short of his promise to add 250,000 new private-sector jobs during his first term. She noted next year's budget in Wisconsin includes a $1.8 billion shortfall.
Wisconsin's race was one of three dozen contested Tuesday in the nation's midterm elections.
According to PBS, more incumbent governors are at risk of losing this year than any time in 50 years.