Changes

==Early life==

==Early life==

Walker was born on November 2, 1967 in [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]].<ref name="Bio">[http://www.biography.com/people/scott-walker-20941829 Scott Walker]. ''Biography.com''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> His father was a Baptist minister, and the Walker family moved to Plainfield, [[Iowa]] and then to the small town of Delavan, Wisconsin when Walker was nine.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Timeline">Stein, Kate (July 19, 2015). [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/timeline-the-life-and-career-of-scott-walker/html_4c4013e6-9bfe-5cdd-b494-2ba6bcf88827.html Timeline: The life and career of Scott Walker]. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> Walker was active in school sports and other activities as a kid, and he was an [[Eagle Scout]].<ref name="Barbour">Barbour, Clay (October 24, 2010). [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_da67cf2c-df74-11df-acf0-001cc4c002e0.html From preacher’s kid to front-runner: Scott Walker’s small-town roots led to reputation as fiscal hawk]. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> In 1985, he was one of two boys chosen to represent Wisconsin for the Boys Nation, an event in [[Washington D.C.]] sponsored by the American Legion.<ref name="Bio"/> At the event, Walker was able to meet United States President [[Ronald Reagan]], "who he said inspired him and became his role model",<ref name="Bio"/> and he has stated that the even gave "him the political bug."<ref name="Barbour"/> Walker graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1986.<ref name="Timeline"/>

Walker was born on November 2, 1967 in [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]].<ref name="Bio">[http://www.biography.com/people/scott-walker-20941829 Scott Walker]. ''Biography.com''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> His father was a Baptist minister, and the Walker family moved to Plainfield, [[Iowa]] and then to the small town of Delavan, Wisconsin when Walker was nine.<ref name="Timeline">Stein, Kate (July 19, 2015). [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/timeline-the-life-and-career-of-scott-walker/html_4c4013e6-9bfe-5cdd-b494-2ba6bcf88827.html Timeline: The life and career of Scott Walker]. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref><ref name="Bio"/> Walker was active in school sports and other activities as a kid, and he was an [[Eagle Scout]].<ref name="Barbour">Barbour, Clay (October 24, 2010). [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/article_da67cf2c-df74-11df-acf0-001cc4c002e0.html From preacher’s kid to front-runner: Scott Walker’s small-town roots led to reputation as fiscal hawk]. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> In 1985, he was one of two boys chosen to represent Wisconsin for the Boys Nation, an event in [[Washington D.C.]] sponsored by the American Legion.<ref name="Bio"/> At the event, Walker was able to meet United States President [[Ronald Reagan]], "who he said inspired him and became his role model",<ref name="Bio"/> and he has stated that the even gave "him the political bug."<ref name="Barbour"/> Walker graduated from Delavan-Darien High School in 1986.<ref name="Timeline"/>

The same year he graduated high school, Walker entered Marquette University, and he would be a student there until the spring of 1990.<ref name="Bio"/> Walker was very active in student government, and he unsuccessfully ran for student president in 1988.<ref name="Timeline"/> In addition, he led the pro-life Students for Life group at Marquette.<ref name="Ben-Meir">Ben-Meir, Ilan (August 25, 2015). [https://www.buzzfeed.com/ilanbenmeir/scott-walkers-remarkably-consistent-two-decade-fight-against?utm_term=.wxBMQ2pnD2#.aja3QyqGay Scott Walker’s Remarkably Consistent, Two Decade Fight Against Abortion]. ''BuzzFeed News''. Retrieved November 19, 2016.</ref> Walker earned good grades, had a clean record, and was only 34 credits away from graduating, however he voluntarily dropped out after he received a well-paying job at American Red Cross.<ref name="Barbour"/><ref>Viser, Matt (February 11, 2015). [https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/11/scott-walker-dropped-out-marquette-but-his-education-campus-politics-set-him-ambitious-path/m41BjqIY9xAltlCgR6z5CM/story.html Scott Walker’s political ambitions fostered at Marquette]. ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> Liberals tried to mock him because of this in 2015, but Marquette made clear that he was "a senior in good standing when he voluntarily withdrew".<ref name="Bio"/>

The same year he graduated high school, Walker entered Marquette University, and he would be a student there until the spring of 1990.<ref name="Bio"/> Walker was very active in student government, and he unsuccessfully ran for student president in 1988.<ref name="Timeline"/> In addition, he led the pro-life Students for Life group at Marquette.<ref name="Ben-Meir">Ben-Meir, Ilan (August 25, 2015). [https://www.buzzfeed.com/ilanbenmeir/scott-walkers-remarkably-consistent-two-decade-fight-against?utm_term=.wxBMQ2pnD2#.aja3QyqGay Scott Walker’s Remarkably Consistent, Two Decade Fight Against Abortion]. ''BuzzFeed News''. Retrieved November 19, 2016.</ref> Walker earned good grades, had a clean record, and was only 34 credits away from graduating, however he voluntarily dropped out after he received a well-paying job at American Red Cross.<ref name="Barbour"/><ref>Viser, Matt (February 11, 2015). [https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2015/02/11/scott-walker-dropped-out-marquette-but-his-education-campus-politics-set-him-ambitious-path/m41BjqIY9xAltlCgR6z5CM/story.html Scott Walker’s political ambitions fostered at Marquette]. ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> Liberals tried to mock him because of this in 2015, but Marquette made clear that he was "a senior in good standing when he voluntarily withdrew".<ref name="Bio"/>

==Early political career==

==Early political career==

In 1990, Walker unsuccessfully ran for the Wisconsin State Assembly.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 1993, he was successfully elected to the state assembly in a special election.<ref name="Barbour"/> He was re-elected four times, serving until 2002.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Timeline"/> As early as his first election campaign and his tenure as state representative, it was clear that Walker was a solid fiscal and social conservative.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Timeline"/> In addition, he sponsored or cosponsored nearly every pro-life bill in the Assembly.<ref name="Ben-Meir"/>

In 1990, Walker unsuccessfully ran for the Wisconsin State Assembly.<ref name="Timeline"/> In 1993, he was successfully elected to the state assembly in a special election.<ref name="Barbour"/> He was re-elected four times, serving until 2002.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Bio"/> As early as his first election campaign and his tenure as state representative, it was clear that Walker was a solid fiscal and social conservative.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Bio"/> In addition, he sponsored or cosponsored nearly every pro-life bill in the Assembly.<ref name="Ben-Meir"/>

In 2002, the Democrat Milwaukee County Executive, Tom Ament, decided to retire rather than face a recall election due to a pension scandal.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Barbour"/> Walker won the election in a historic victory, becoming "the youngest person and first Republican [ever] elected to the position"<ref name="Timeline"/> in a liberal county.<ref name="Barbour"/> As Milwaukee County Executive, Walker again showed his strong conservative values by shrinking the government workforce by 20 percent, by cutting over $44 million in proposed spending through his veto powers, and returning $370,000 of his government salary back to the county, among many other decisions.<ref name="Barbour"/> Walker was re-elected to the position in 2004 and 2008,<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Timeline"/> and despite being in a liberal county, he ran as a conservative.<ref name="Bio"/>

In 2002, the Democrat Milwaukee County Executive, Tom Ament, decided to retire rather than face a recall election due to a pension scandal.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Barbour"/> Walker won the election in a historic victory, becoming "the youngest person and first Republican [ever] elected to the position"<ref name="Timeline"/> in a liberal county.<ref name="Barbour"/> As Milwaukee County Executive, Walker again showed his strong conservative values by shrinking the government workforce by 20 percent, by cutting over $44 million in proposed spending through his veto powers, and returning $370,000 of his government salary back to the county, among many other decisions.<ref name="Barbour"/> Walker was re-elected to the position in 2004 and 2008,<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Bio"/> and despite being in a liberal county, he ran as a conservative.<ref name="Bio"/>

In January 2005, Walker announced he would run for Wisconsin Governor in the 2006 election.<ref name="Isenstadt2015">Isenstadt, Alex (March 29, 2015). [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/the-crushing-defeat-that-shaped-scott-walker-116490 The crushing defeat that shaped Scott Walker]. ''Politico''. Retrieved November 20, 2016.</ref> In March 2006, after 14 months of campaigning and due to low campaign funds and support, Walker dropped out of the race and endorsed his Republican primary opponent, Congressman [[Mark Green]], actively campaigning for him.<ref name="Isenstadt2015"/> Green lost the election, and this helped position Walker as the frontrunner in the 2010 election.<ref name="Isenstadt2015"/>

In January 2005, Walker announced he would run for Wisconsin Governor in the 2006 election.<ref name="Isenstadt2015">Isenstadt, Alex (March 29, 2015). [http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/the-crushing-defeat-that-shaped-scott-walker-116490 The crushing defeat that shaped Scott Walker]. ''Politico''. Retrieved November 20, 2016.</ref> In March 2006, after 14 months of campaigning and due to low campaign funds and support, Walker dropped out of the race and endorsed his Republican primary opponent, Congressman [[Mark Green]], actively campaigning for him.<ref name="Isenstadt2015"/> Green lost the election, and this helped position Walker as the frontrunner in the 2010 election.<ref name="Isenstadt2015"/>

===Stand against the unions and 2012 recall election===

===Stand against the unions and 2012 recall election===

:''See also: [[Wisconsin budget controversy]]''

:''See also: [[Wisconsin budget controversy]]''

Scott Walker became a leader of [[conservatives]] nationwide when he supported and then signed into law a repeal of most of the [[collective bargaining]] privileges of most government workers.<ref name="Bio"/><ref name="Timeline"/> Walker took this historic step to prevent the State from continuing on a path of financial ruin and overspending.<ref>Lieb, David  & Ramde, Dinesh (March 1, 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110304202127/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13017077&page=1 Wis. Gov. to Outline Ultimate Intentions in Budget]. ''ABC News'' (from ''AP'', archived at ''archive.org''). Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Scott Walker became a leader of [[conservatives]] nationwide when he supported and then signed into law a repeal of most of the [[collective bargaining]] privileges of most government workers.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref name="Bio"/> Walker took this historic step to prevent the State from continuing on a path of financial ruin and overspending.<ref>Lieb, David  & Ramde, Dinesh (March 1, 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110304202127/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13017077&page=1 Wis. Gov. to Outline Ultimate Intentions in Budget]. ''ABC News'' (from ''AP'', archived at ''archive.org''). Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

[[Labor union|Union]]-controlled leftist politicians went berserk at the commonsense bill to reduce union control over the state, and they blocked the bill for three weeks by fleeing to [[Illinois]] until the Senate removed "some financial elements from the bill", making it legal to pass it without the missing Democrats.<ref>Marley, Patrick & Lee Bergquist, Lee (March 9, 2011). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117656563.html With Democrats absent, Republicans advance collective bargaining changes]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Leftists continued to fight the bill, but it was ultimately declared to be legal, twice, by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref>Marley, Patrick & Lee Bergquist, Lee (June 14, 2011). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123859034.html Supreme Court reinstates collective bargaining law]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

[[Labor union|Union]]-controlled leftist politicians went berserk at the commonsense bill to reduce union control over the state, and they blocked the bill for three weeks by fleeing to [[Illinois]] until the Senate removed "some financial elements from the bill", making it legal to pass it without the missing Democrats.<ref>Marley, Patrick & Lee Bergquist, Lee (March 9, 2011). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117656563.html With Democrats absent, Republicans advance collective bargaining changes]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Leftists continued to fight the bill, but it was ultimately declared to be legal, twice, by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.<ref name="Timeline"/><ref>Marley, Patrick & Lee Bergquist, Lee (June 14, 2011). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/123859034.html Supreme Court reinstates collective bargaining law]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

===2014 election===

===2014 election===

[[File:Scott Walker 2014 Wisconsin Governor Victory Party.jpg|thumb|200px|Scott Walker celebrating his 2014 re-election.]]

[[File:Scott Walker 2014 Wisconsin Governor Victory Party.jpg|thumb|200px|Scott Walker celebrating his 2014 re-election.]]

Scott Walker was reelected again in 2014—his third successful gubernatorial election in four years—with over 52 percent of the vote, defeating liberal Mary Burke.<ref>Higgins, Sean (November 5 2014). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/scott-walker-wins-br-re-election-in-wisconsin/article/2555742 Gov. Scott Walker wins re-election in Wisconsin]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Rocha, Polo (November 6, 2014). [https://badgerherald.com/news/2014/11/06/how-scott-walker-won-his-third-governors-race-in-four-years/ How Scott Walker won his third governor’s race in four years]. ''The Badger Herald''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Scott Walker was reelected again in 2014—his third successful gubernatorial election in four years—with over 52 percent of the vote, defeating liberal Mary Burke.<ref>Higgins, Sean (November 5, 2014). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/scott-walker-wins-br-re-election-in-wisconsin/article/2555742 Gov. Scott Walker wins re-election in Wisconsin]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Rocha, Polo (November 6, 2014). [https://badgerherald.com/news/2014/11/06/how-scott-walker-won-his-third-governors-race-in-four-years/ How Scott Walker won his third governor’s race in four years]. ''The Badger Herald''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

===Progress===

===Progress===