My bet is that if the lead holds up in the mid-to high 50's that Madison will sit up and take note--and maybe even the DNC/RNC bozos in D.C.
In a local way, this is huge. The people decided that they wanted something other than the graft that was here. And Walker has not hid how conservative he is.
Here's something I posted on the Wisconsin board earlier:
Interesting anecdote.
I have a coworker who is your standard middle-class, educated, but lifelong dem (oh, yes, he is black). He and some others were talking about the election. They called them the young guy and the old guy.
This life-long dem said he is going to vote Republican for the first time in his life because the old guy is the same as they last and will just raise our taxes more.
There is some hope out there.
*Applause* !
I think Walker will do a great job.
Ryan Concedes, Walker Projected Winner
Unofficial Returns: Ryan Loses Hales Corners
Posted: 8:23 p.m. CDT April 30, 2002
Updated: 10:08 p.m. CDT April 30, 2002
MILWAUKEE --Unofficial results show State Rep. Scott Walker wins the race for Milwaukee County executive.
The 34-year-old becomes the youngest Milwaukee County executive since the post was created in 1960. "Starting tomorrow, we will begin our campaign to restore county government and I need your help. We can improve county government," Walker said.
Hales Corners Village President Jim Ryan conceded Tuesday night, thanking voters for their support.
With 86 percent of the vote counted, Walker has 96,734 votes, or 58 percent, while Ryan has 71,444 or 42 percent, according to unofficial returns. Four aldermanic districts in the city of Milwaukee have not reported their numbers. The suburbs results are all in.
Walker is a Republican state representative from Wauwatosa. Ryan is president of the village of Hales Corners.
According to unofficial returns, Ryan lost Hales Cornes by 50 votes.
The winner will take over the job vacated by the retirement of Tom Ament.
He left office in February rather than face a recall election prompted by lucrative pension benefits approved over the previous two years.
Ryan, 34, and Walker, 58, were the top two vote-getters in a primary election April 2.
Citizens launched the recall campaign after disclosures about lucrative pension benefits for county employees that were approved over the previous two years.
BraveMan Note: The candidates' ages are transposed in the article. Walker is 34 whereas Ryan is 58.
Well, Wayne is pushing it. 69% for Gore there.
Walker Wins Milwaukee County Executive Race
Scott Walker
"Today by a clear mandate, we voted to take back county government. Today, we took the first step. Starting tomorrow, we will begin this campaign to restore county government, and I need your help.
"Please do not let this interest in county government fade away. Some out there might try to downplay our victory, but don't forget that 182,000 people did an extraordinary thing a couple months ago. You know, we did it again today."
Jim Ryan
"While we didn't win an election, we did win people who want to energize around these themes and values. You can't let this go."
"I think Scott did a better job of getting his message across. I think my message might have been a little more difficult to understand."
Quotes from Walker Supporters
"Scott has specific plans. I think the public wanted CRG to make an endorsement. They were telling us "finish the job." Scott had a reform plan, so we felt he was the best candidate."
--Orville Seymer, Citizens for Responsible Government
"When I started recruiting people to run, Scott was the first to respond. He believes what he says, and does what he says. That's what we need after what has happened in county government. I've known Scott since 1995 and know he will do a great job."
--Trent Jay, chairman of Wauwatosa Republicans
"I didn't vote (with a laugh). Scott had a plan. Ryan was willing to keep an open mind on everything. People wanted specifics."
--Don Taylor, chairman of Waukesha County Republicans
Quotes from Ryan Supporter
"I'm very disappointed. I think African Americans and Hispanics will be kept out of the loop. We already are the most segregated city in the country. Looking at the record (of Walker), I believe that will only get worse.
"In 30 days, there will be a press conference to see what he has done. He made a lot of promises to a lot of people. We will make sure he is held accountable for the remaining 18 months.
"We cannot allow this community to remain segregated, both financially and spiritually. I represent the voiceless, those who have never had a voice in government. Every 30 days, we will keep track of what did you do in 30 days."
--Tyrone Dumas, who finished fourth in the primary
Take notice of the Ryan "supporter" (singular) quoted . . .
BTW, the final numbers are in, and all the king's horses (there's a couple letters missing <VBG>) and all the king's fraud couldn't stop the tide o' change from rolling on in (sorry, couldn't find anything to rhyme with 'fraud').
With 100% of the precincts reporting:
Scott Walker 99,850 (55%)
Jim (FU Jr.) Ryan 81,208 (45%)
(numbers courtesy Journal Broadcast Group)
Yes, there is! I love it.
The epicenter of Tuesday's quake was Milwaukee, as state Rep. Scott Walker, a conservative Republican, thumped moderate Jim Ryan in the reputed Democratic stronghold of Milwaukee County.
conservative Republican vs moderate!
Suprised they didn't call him extreme right-wing.