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.