Scott Walker’s Early Years Category Archive

P Is for Payoff

The Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation is among the largest funders of the right-wing propaganda machine in the country. Their influence in Wisconsin cannot be underestimated.

Scott Walker’s Early Years

Walker Voted in Favor of Mining Moratorium

But the first-term Republican governor has not always been so pro-mining. In fact, he helped block a proposal to construct another major mine in northern Wisconsin years ago. In 1998 — as...

Walker Championed “Truth in Sentencing” Law While in the Legislature

Neighboring Minnesota has a similar crime rate to Wisconsin and similar demographics, but thanks in part to Walker’s harsh sentencing law, Wisconsin has two-and-a-half times as many people in prison. Minnesota has...

Gov. Walker Offers New Explanation to National Media for Departure From College Without Degree

MADISON, Wis. — As Gov. Walker’s national tour promoting his new book, Unintimidated, rolls on he is offering a new explanation to the national media about the reasons for his lack of a...

Walker Says Domestic Partner Benefits Provided by Milwaukee County Too Expensive

“I’ve had concerns about (county benefits) in general because of the cost. Quite frankly, I think people are fed up with a number of benefits given at the county level. The last...

Walker Attacked “Consensus” in First Run for County Executive

“I’ve stressed (at recent forums) that at any other time in the history of the county, it may have been effective to have someone who is a consensus-building-type manager with that experience....

Walker Panders to Recall Organizers; Adopts Their Agenda in Whole

The citizens group seeking to overhaul county government has set an agenda for the next county executive, receiving wholesale agreement from one candidate and some dissension from the other. … Walker added...

In 2002, Walker’s Willingness to Do or Say Anything to Get Elected Noted

Ironically, the top vote getter to succeed Ament in last week’s primary was a Madison insider who has no trouble changing political positions on a whim depending on what office he is...

Walker Didn’t ‘Believe in Concealed Carry Anymore’ During First County Executive Run

What Walker tells the voters today doesn’t seem to bear any resemblance to what he might tell them tomorrow. Example: Walker has been a co-sponsor of a bill in the Legislature that...

Walker’s Attack on County Executive Opponent Called ‘Unfair’

The first jabs have been delivered in the race for county executive, but whether they connect or not will depend on the same people who will determine the outcome on April 30...

Some Recall Efforts Are Good, Like the One That Put Walker on Path to Election As Milwaukee County Executive

We are obviously very pleased, not only because of the victory but because this is really a reaction to the public starting this whole movement. In many ways I feel the people...

Scott Walker’s Early, Early Years: Organized “Jesus USA” Club, Raised Money

At age 7, Scott Walker formed a ‘Jesus USA’ club in tiny Plainfield, Iowa, a farming community a half hour north of Waterloo where his father was the local Baptist pastor …...

Walker Did Not Return to School, Worked for the Red Cross

The IBM job led to a better job at the Red Cross in marketing and fundraising. One thing led to another: Marriage, to his wife, Tonette, and eventually two children, Matt, now...

Walker Drops Out of Marquette to Pursue Political Ambitions

With a part-time job at IBM selling warranties on mainframe computers as well as the Assembly race competing for his attention, Walker left Marquette in the final semester of his senior year...

Walker Eyed Statewide Office in 2001, But Was Not Tapped for Lieutenant Governor

Last year Walker aspired to be named lieutenant governor by Gov. Scott McCallum but was passed over in favor of Margaret Farrow, a former state senator.

Walker Learns Lessons From Early Electoral Setbacks

Walker’s election to the Assembly in 1993 followed two campaign defeats. As a student at Marquette University, he ran for student president and lost to a write-in candidate, a tough but valuable...

Walker Moved Into District to Run for State Assembly in 1993

In 1993, he got another chance at politics when an Assembly seat opened in predominantly Republican Wauwatosa. Walker moved to Tosa and this time he won, beating Chris Ament, son of the...

Walker Takes a (Rare) Pass on Run for Higher Office in 2000

When friends suggested he challenge then-County Executive F. Thomas Ament in 2000, Walker says, he immediately rejected the notion, fearing that Ament was unbeatable. That was before the pension scandal forced Ament...

Walker to Milwaukee County: Just Passing Through

Walker says he won’t stay as county executive beyond 2008, when he’d be 42, and may one day pursue a business career. ‘I imagine I’d have a pretty good pitch to any...

Walker Willing to Do or Say Anything to Win, Tried to Dodge Speeding Ticket By Donning Jacket With Charity Logo

“Younger brother David recalls a tale that only slightly tarnishes Scott Walker’s halo. When a 17-year-old Scott got a speeding ticket, he wore David’s jacket — with the logo for a charitable...

Walker’s First Ran for State Office a Quarter Century Ago

But politics continued to call. In 1990, Walker ran for the state Assembly as a Republican against the Democratic incumbent, Gwen Moore, in a heavily Democratic district on Milwaukee’s north side. He...

Walker Longtime Proponent of Using Tax Dollars to Send Students to Private and Religious Schools

He’s also been a staunch supporter of private and religious school choice, playing a key role last year in maintaining funding for the program, which provides taxpayer money for private education.

“Bipartisan” and “Walker” Not Words Often Used Together, Even As State Legislator, According to Democrats

Walker sees himself now as a somewhat less doctrinaire version of the 25-year-old who first went to Madison: still firmly in the ranks of conservatives but pragmatic when it makes sense to...

Walker Always Courted the Media

Walker also brings to the county race the accumulated exposure of his nearly nine years in the state Assembly, a tenure marked by an ardent courting of media coverage. ‘Some members are...

Walker Says Promises in 2002 Milwaukee County Executive Race to Combat Voter Cynicism

Walker said his campaign gave the people the specific reform proposals they demanded. “There is a pretty high meter out there for cynicism. Everybody is talking about reform, but what do they...

Questions About Walker’s Use of State Funded Mailing From Assembly Office During County Executive Race

The recent constituent letter sent by state Rep. Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa) cost slightly more than a similar 2000 mailing – and wound up in more mailboxes…Walker said he checked with the state...

In County Exec Campaign, Walker Invited Public to Hold Him Accountable for Keeping Campaign Promises

“Now put this on your refrigerator. Mark my progress. And hold me to it.”

Walker Terms His Political Opportunism, “Duty”

It’s not about political calculation. It can ultimately be boiled down to one word – duty.”

Questions Raised by Walker County Exec Fundraising Pitches to Lobbyists That Noted He Remained a State Legislator

When later questioned about his approach, Walker said that he did not mean to come across as heavy-handed. “I should be more clear about my pitch about county government.”

Labor Opposition to Walker Longstanding; Endorsed Opponent in ‘02 County Executive Race

The Milwaukee County Labor Council voted Wednesday night to endorse Milwaukee Ald. Thomas Nardelli in the Milwaukee County executive’s race. The council, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, includes about 150 unions with about...

Walker Voted Against Concealed Carry During Milwaukee County Executive Run

The bill allowed people to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon and required a county sheriff to issue a license to any applicant meeting eligibility requirements. (Assembly Journal)

Walker Solicited Local Prosecutors for Damaging Information on AG Doyle

Two Republican lawmakers have sent a blanket request to local prosecutors for information that could provide them with political ammunition against state Attorney General Jim Doyle, considered the leading Democratic candidate for...

Walker Used His Assembly Committee to Attack Attorney General and ‘02 Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Doyle

A state Assembly committee chairman Monday called on Attorney General James Doyle to appear before his panel next week to explain how his office missed a critical appeal deadline in a rape...

Walker Co-Authored Bill to Bar Distribution of Contraception At Schools or Through School Based Medical Services

The proposal would have prohibited funding for or allowing school based programs to distribute or prescribe contraceptives.

Walker and RPW Lobbied Milwaukee County DA for Charges Against Democratic Volunteer in 2000 Election

State GOP leaders are urging Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann to charge a Democratic Party volunteer with election bribery for allegedly giving cigarettes to homeless people in exchange for their...

Walker Was “Excited” About Possibility of Lt. Gov. Appointment … Until Suddenly He Wasn’t

“Being able to travel home each night is a blessing for our family as well as a benefit for our district.”

Walker Introduced Photo ID Requirement for Voting, Declares Only Supporters of Voter Fraud Would Oppose

“There is no legitimate reason why eligible voters cannot bring a photo ID. Only people interested in perpetuating voter fraud need fear such a requirement.” (See also: 2001 Assembly Bill 259)

Walker “Excited” About Possibility of Lt. Gov. Appointment …

“That definitely would be something I’d be excited to do.”

Walker Sponsored Bill Adding Requirement to “Informed Consent” Law

Provisions of bill would have required women seeking an abortion to be told they could “anonymously and with immunity from liability relinquish custody of her newborn child to a law enforcement officer,...

Walker Sponsored Repeal of State Estate Tax

Walker sponsored 2001 Assembly Bill 605, estimated to reduce state tax collections by up to $120 million per year by eliminating state taxes on the estates of wealthy Wisconsinites.

Floated Himself As Possible 2002 Running Mate for Scott Jensen or Scott McCallum

“My joke was, after I talked to a couple of folks, it could be a ‘Great Scott’ ticket. Either way, I can’t lose.”

Walker Attacks State Labor Review Commission

The commission appears to be incapable of using common sense in most of these cases. Time and time again their rulings defy logic to the public.”

Walker Voted for State Prescription Drug Plan for Seniors Denying Any Help to Those Making As Little As $15,500 a Year

Walker voted for Assembly Bill 815, a state prescription drug benefit for seniors making less than 185% of the federal poverty line, at the time approximately $15,000 for a single person. (Assembly...

Walker Voted to Shield Gun Industry From Lawsuits

The bill would have granted, “firearm importers, manufacturers, dealers and trade associations immunity from civil liability in any action brought by an individual or group for an injury or death caused by...

Walker’s ‘Gag Rule’ Criticized for Prohibiting Medical Students From Training

Walker’s proposal does permit state and local government employees to perform an abortion or assist in its performance to save the life of the mother, a concession that the procedure can be...

Walker Not Impressed by Last GOP Prez Contender From WI (AKA Tommy Thompson)

He also noted that he did not consider Thompson a “viable candidate on a national basis.”

Walker Supported Plan to Eliminate State Aid to Municipalities, Raise Local Sales Taxes

The lawmakers’ proposal would eliminate the $ 819.5 million a year in operating subsidies that state government gives to cities, villages and towns.But it would continue state operating aid of $189 million...