State, national reaction to Gov. Walker winning recall race

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By Martha Boehm - email

MADISON (WKOW) – Tuesday evening, after news organizations declared Governor Scott Walker won the state's historic recall election, state and national lawmakers and organizations started reacting to the news.

Below are some of the reactions to Walker's historic win:

Congressman Paul Ryan issued the following statement:

"Tonight, Wisconsin voters rewarded those courageous leaders who put our state's fiscal house in order. Governor Scott Walker, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and our State Senators fulfilled their promises to fix our budget deficit, grow the economy, and move our state forward – and Wisconsin voters reaffirmed their faith in them and their solutions.

Wisconsinites sent a clear message to the rest of the nation: we elect leaders who are honest about our economic challenges and committed to meeting them head on. The results of Governor Walker's reforms, and the trust that Wisconsinites placed in our elected leaders to fix our state's problems, show that it is not too late to reclaim the American idea and restore our nation's exceptionalism. Though more work must be done, this election confirms that Governor Walker's principled leadership and common-sense reforms are moving Wisconsin in the right direction."

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Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate released the following statement after Tuesday's recall victory by Governor Scott Walker:

"The results Tuesday do not stop our firm opposition to the changes sought by Scott Walker.

In fact, even as we congratulate Scott Walker and the Republican Party of Wisconsin on winning a hard-fought fight, we look for him to join us in changing the tenor and tone of the debate.

Because the debate must continue. Unions must be able to bargain collectively and provide workers with basic protections. The middle class must not be asked to give up protections built together over the years even while the richest among us sacrifice not at all. Our elected officials must speak with the public honestly and operate an open government, not flout our laws and our norms.

And finally, regardless of party, Wisconsin must be Wisconsin again, without the big money Tea Party influence that has colonized our state, turned neighbor-against-neighbor and created an idea dangerous to democracy, that our very government is up for sale.

This momentous season of recalls, and the outcome it has produced, will be analyzed and analyzed again. But there is no question that this is merely the beginning, not the end, of this conversation. As it continues, we must find common ground for Wisconsin to be Wisconsin again."

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Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) President/CEO Kurt R. Bauer issued a statement congratulating Governor Scott Walker on his re-election Tuesday, calling on the Governor to continue to focus on job creation:

"WMC is pleased with the outcome to the recall election and we congratulate Governor Walker.

Wisconsin must now turn the page on an unpleasant chapter in our state's history and begin to heal. The year-and-a-half long recall saga has created uncertainty, instability and - worst of all - incivility. The recalls divided families, co-workers and neighbors. They were also massively expensive, cost the state jobs and damaged Wisconsin's reputation.    

But now it is time to unite around the common goal of job creation.

Thanks to Governor Walker, Wisconsin now has a competitive advantage over states that didn't make the same tough, but necessary choices to balance the budget by reigning in unsustainable government spending and by enacting important pro-job reforms.

Second only to the jobs issue, Wisconsin must reform our recall law in order to prevent this kind of chaos in the future. Perpetual campaigning creates a toxic political environment that makes our state all but ungovernable. We need a return to normalcy where politicians are allowed to complete the term they were duly elected to serve."

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Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin State Director Luke Hilgemann released the following statement:

"Tonight, Wisconsin stood tall and stood for economic freedom. When others chose to blow horns, make threats and scream, Wisconsin decided to arm itself with the facts and move forward. We don't appreciate it here when outside forces step in and try to steal our government.

"Scott Walker's name was on the ballot tonight but it was his policies that were decided on. We started our efforts last year to educate the people of Wisconsin on what the budget reforms mean for them. We showed them what is possible when a state turns a $3.6 billion deficit into a $154.5 million surplus, when $1 billion is saved at the state and local levels and when property taxes are reduced for the first time in 12 years.

"The future for Wisconsin is bright. Tonight was a good start on the path forward but our work is far from over. The 2013 budget is just around the corner and tomorrow our work starts to ensure that the gains of the last 18 months are not lost. Tomorrow we start our efforts to spread the Wisconsin reforms across the country as we highlight the failed policies of President Barack Obama."

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Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Brad Courtney released the following statement:

"This is a great victory for Wisconsin families. Wisconsinites made it very clear they want to continue moving our state forward, and that's why Wisconsinites returned to the polls once again and cast their vote for Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch.

"A liberal minority of activists and out-of-state unions pushed this baseless recall on Wisconsin in order to move us backward; Wisconsin turned out once again and showed they will not have their voices drowned out by this liberal minority, and they were heard loud and clear.

"Tonight, courage was on the ballot, and voters showed they want a leader who can make the tough decisions necessary to move our state forward. Since Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch were elected, Wisconsin has turned a $3.6 billion budget deficit into a $153 million surplus, we've created more than 30,000 jobs, our unemployment is the lowest it's been since 2008, and property taxes were lowered for the first time in 12 years. These reforms are working, and our economy only continues to improve thanks to Governor Walker having the courage to do what was necessary to turn our state around.

"I congratulate Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch on another resounding victory, and I look forward to joining all Wisconsinites in putting aside our differences and moving our state forward under their bold leadership."

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Wis. Senator Ron Johnson released the following statement regarding the recall elections:

"Congratulations to Governor Walker and Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch. These Wisconsin leaders have set an admirable example for the rest of our nation. They showed the courage to enact real solutions to the serious problems facing our state, and the voters of Wisconsin rewarded them by showing their strong support. This is a big win for Wisconsin and America."

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Statement by Tommy Thomson on Today's Victory by Scott Walker and Wisconsin Republicans:

"Today Wisconsin made a choice...a choice to keep our state moving forward. I extend my appreciation and congratulations to my good friend Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Kleefish and the recalled state senators on tonight's victory.

We are celebrating a victory for not only Gov. Walker, Lt. Gov. Kleefisch and the state senators who emerged from the attempted recall, but the great state of Wisconsin. Gov. Walker and his colleagues made tough choices that put our state back on the right track, they stood by the choices they made and tonight's election reaffirms the belief in the direction we're heading.

Tonight we defeated out-of-state special interests and a return to out-of-control government spending--delivering a win for balanced budgets, job growth and local schools and governments seeking to maintain control of their own finances."

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Mitt Romney made the following statement on Governor Scott Walker's victory in the today's Wisconsin recall election:

"I congratulate Scott Walker on his victory in Wisconsin. Governor Walker has demonstrated over the past year what sound fiscal policies can do to turn an economy around, and I believe that in November voters across the country will demonstrate that they want the same in Washington, D.C. Tonight's results will echo beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Governor Walker has shown that citizens and taxpayers can fight back – and prevail – against the runaway government costs imposed by labor bosses. Tonight voters said ‘no' to the tired, liberal ideas of yesterday, and ‘yes' to fiscal responsibility and a new direction. I look forward to working with Governor Walker to help build a better, brighter future for all Americans."

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The Republican Governors Association Chairman Bob McDonnell made the following statement on Governor Walker's win:

"Tonight, Wisconsin voters rewarded political courage. Upon taking office, Governor Walker fearlessly took on the staunch defenders of the status quo and tackled unsustainable entitlements and long-term fiscal liabilities. Governor Walker closed a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes; he ushered in the first property tax decrease in a dozen years; he strengthened schools; and he turned around the state's economy. His actions have made Wisconsin stronger today, and tomorrow. And they have improved the lives of the citizens of Wisconsin.

Voters are ready for political leaders who are willing to follow Governor Walker's lead and take on the toughest issues; governing with a greater focus on the next generation than the next election. That's exactly what Governor Walker has done, and his executive leadership contrasts sharply with the absence of leadership in the White House.

While Governor Walker has reined in the state's debt, dramatically improved the state's fiscal outlook and helped the private sector create more than 30,000 new jobs, President Obama has added more than $4.7 trillion to the national debt and proposed more than $1 trillion in higher taxes, and the unemployment rate has exceeded 8 percent for 40 consecutive months.

Governor Walker is proof that voters recognize that the status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable. He has shown there is a better way; a way that leads to prosperity and job creation. Tonight, the voters of Wisconsin have approved of that positive path forward."

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Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement congratulating Governor Scott Walker:

"I congratulate Gov. Scott Walker momentous victory in Wisconsin tonight, and I congratulate the people of my home state in defeating the selfish special interests that wanted to take Wisconsin back to the days of Democrats' failed policies," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.

"Wisconsin has given their stamp of approval to Gov. Walker's successful reforms that balanced the budget, put people back to work, and put government back on the side of the people.

"After tonight's results, Democrats and the Obama campaign are surely nervous. As Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said, this election was a ‘dry run' for the presidential election. But after President Obama actively avoided Wisconsin and Tom Barrett, one of his earliest supporters, it is hard to imagine how he can now come back to Wisconsin and credibly ask for his party's support in November. The president abandoned his base in this recall, so he shouldn't be surprised if they return the favor in November.

"Wisconsin Democrats now head into November dispirited and in disarray, while Republicans remain strong and organized, with momentum on our side."

State, national reaction to Gov. Walker winning recall race - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

State, national reaction to Gov. Walker winning recall race