One of the most interesting storylines to emerge out of last week’s elections is Scott Walker’s re-election as Governor of Wisconsin. Counting the election recall in June 2012, it was Walker’s third election victory in four years in a mostly -progressive Wisconsin.
Walker endeared himself to conservatives by daring to take on government unions and not flinching. The reforms he and the Republican-dominated legislature passed have saved taxpayers and school districts about $3 billion dollars.
While those accomplishments warrant our applause and admiration, Walker’s other accomplishments include what he has been able to do at the ballot box: Consider the following:
November 2010 – Walker captured 37 percent of union household vote.
June 5, 2012 – Walker defeated recall; wins 38 percent of union household vote.
November 4, 2014 – Walker captured 34 percent of union household vote.
Those percentages—and their consistency across three elections — are stunning, especially considering the resources and manpower the unions invested to in Wisconsin to defeat Scott Walker.
Nationwide, the NEA alone spent $60 million on the 2014 elections. In North Carolina NEA gave $3 million to Kay Hagan race and spent about $750,000 on house races.
Last week voters in Wisconsin, North Carolina and elsewhere rejected the tired messages of government unions like NEA and others. Let’s hope other Governors and lawmakers are emboldened to take on the raw power of government unions. If they do, they’ll have Scott Walker to thank.
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