Scott Walker

**Scott Kevin Walker** (born November 2, 1967) is an American Republican politician. He was the 45th Governor of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2019. He was a two-term Governor, elected in 2010 and 2014, but losing in 2018 to Tony Evers.

## Early life

Walker was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His family moved to Plainfield, Iowa and later to Delavan, Wisconsin. He studied at Marquette University, but did not graduate.

## Early career

Walker began his political career in the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving from 1993–2002.  After the 2002 resignation of Tom Ament as Executive of Milwaukee County, Walker won the special election to fill the seat, which he held from 2002 to 2010.

## Governor of Wisconsin (2011-2019)

Walker was elected governor of Wisconsin in 2010, defeating the Democratic nominee, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

After being sworn into office in 2011, Walker introduced a budget repair plan which limited many collective bargaining powers for most public employees. The legislation led to significant protests at the Wisconsin State Capitol and an effort to recall Walker.

In June 2012, Walker faced Barrett in Wisconsin's only gubernatorial recall election. After emerging as the winner, Walker became the only governor in the U.S. to date to win a gubernatorial recall election.

He lost his third re-election bid to Tony Evers on November 7, 2018 by one percent.

## Personal life

Walker married Tonette Tarantino in 1993. Together, they have 2 children.

## 2016 presidential campaign

Walker has been seen by many as a potential candidate for the GOP's nomination in the 2016 presidential election. He formed a 527 organization in January 2015. On June 18, 2015 Walker took a further step towards a presidential campaign when he established a "testing-the-waters" federal campaign committee.

Walker announced his presidential campaign on July 13, 2015 on his Twitter account. On September 21 2015, Walker suspended his campaign after low polling numbers.

## Other websites

- Scott Walker for Governor campaign website
- 2011 State Budget Battle, collected coverage at the _Milwaukee Journal Sentinel_ of the budget repair bill and the 2011–13 state budget

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Scott Walker
- **image**: Scott Walker by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg
- **order**: 45th
- **office**: Governor of Wisconsin
- **lieutenant**: Rebecca Kleefisch
- **term start**: January 3, 2011
- **term end**: January 7, 2019
- **predecessor**: Jim Doyle
- **successor**: Tony Evers
- **office1**: List of Milwaukee County executives, Executive of Milwaukee County
- **term start1**: April 30, 2002
- **term end1**: December 27, 2010
- **predecessor1**: Janine P. Geske, Janine Geske
- **successor1**: Lee Holloway
- **state assembly2**: Wisconsin
- **district2**: 14th
- **term start2**: June 30, 1993
- **term end2**: April 30, 2002
- **predecessor2**: Peggy Rosenzweig
- **successor2**: Leah Vukmir
- **birth name**: Scott Kevin Walker
- **birth place**: Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
- **party**: Republican Party (United States), Republican
- **spouse**: Tonette Walker, Tonette Tarantino
- **children**: 2
- **alma mater**: Marquette University <small>(did not graduate)</small>
- **signature**: Scott-walker-signature.png