Changes

Walker faced a tough re-election campaign in 2018.<ref>Lucas, Fred (October 11, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/is-scott-walkers-winning-streak-nearing-an-end-wisconsin-race-poses-challenge Is Scott Walker's winning streak nearing an end? Wisconsin race poses challenge]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 11, 2018.</ref><ref>Finley, Allysia (October 26, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/scott-walkers-toughest-campaign-1540594583 Scott Walker’s Toughest Campaign]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 26, 2018.</ref> Walker ultimately lost the election by a narrow margin.<ref>Darrah, Nicole (November 7, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scott-walker-concedes-to-democrat-tony-evers-in-wisconsin-gubernatorial-race Scott Walker concedes to Democrat Tony Evers in Wisconsin gubernatorial race]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 11, 2018.</ref><ref>Wilson, Reid (November 7, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414904-dem-defeats-scott-walker-in-wisconsin-governors-race Dem defeats Scott Walker in Wisconsin governor’s race]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved November 11, 2018.</ref> Voting irregularities and mishandling of ballots in Milwaukee county occurred.<ref>https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/07/scott-walker-eyes-damaged-absentee-ballots-recount-decision/1918944002/</ref>

Walker faced a tough re-election campaign in 2018.<ref>Lucas, Fred (October 11, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/is-scott-walkers-winning-streak-nearing-an-end-wisconsin-race-poses-challenge Is Scott Walker's winning streak nearing an end? Wisconsin race poses challenge]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 11, 2018.</ref><ref>Finley, Allysia (October 26, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/scott-walkers-toughest-campaign-1540594583 Scott Walker’s Toughest Campaign]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 26, 2018.</ref> Walker ultimately lost the election by a narrow margin.<ref>Darrah, Nicole (November 7, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/scott-walker-concedes-to-democrat-tony-evers-in-wisconsin-gubernatorial-race Scott Walker concedes to Democrat Tony Evers in Wisconsin gubernatorial race]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 11, 2018.</ref><ref>Wilson, Reid (November 7, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/414904-dem-defeats-scott-walker-in-wisconsin-governors-race Dem defeats Scott Walker in Wisconsin governor’s race]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved November 11, 2018.</ref> Voting irregularities and mishandling of ballots in Milwaukee county occurred.<ref>https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/07/scott-walker-eyes-damaged-absentee-ballots-recount-decision/1918944002/</ref>

==2016 presidential campaign==

===2016 presidential primaries===

Walker announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]] on July 13, 2015.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/13/walker-announces-2016-white-house-bid.html Walker announces 2016 White House bid, vows to 'fight for America']. ''Fox News''. July 13, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Despite his popularity, strong position, and early lead in the polls, Walker dropped out on September 21 after the rise of [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Lowry, Rich & Johnson, Eliana (September 8, 2015). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/423725/ Scott Walker: What Went Wrong?]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Eric Bradner, John King, Dana Bash and Jeff Zeleny (September 21, 2015). [https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/21/politics/scott-walker-drops-out-2016-election/ Scott Walker drops out of 2016 presidential race]. ''CNN''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> He endorsed [[Texas]] Senator [[Ted Cruz]] for the GOP nomination,<ref>Glueck, Katie & Gass, Nick (March 29, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/scott-walker-endorses-ted-cruz-221327 Scott Walker endorses Ted Cruz]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> but he put his full support behind Trump after he won the primary.<ref>Gass, Nick (July 20, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/rnc-2016-scott-walker-donald-trump-endorsement-225914 Walker 'absolutely' endorses Trump]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Gilbert, Craig (July 21, 2016). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-joins-backlash-over-cruz-refusal-to-endorse-trump-b99765830z1-387827571.html Scott Walker joins backlash over Cruz refusal to endorse Trump]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Walker helped conservative [[Indiana]] governor and GOP vice presidential nominee [[Mike Pence]] prepare for the vice presidential debate against [[Virginia]] Senator [[Tim Kaine]], which Pence decisively won.<ref>Shih, Adrienne (October 5, 2016). [https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/scott-walker-mike-pence-debate/ Gov. Scott Walker: Mike Pence didn't 'take the bait' at debate]. ''CNN''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

Walker announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]] on July 13, 2015.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/13/walker-announces-2016-white-house-bid.html Walker announces 2016 White House bid, vows to 'fight for America']. ''Fox News''. July 13, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Despite his popularity, strong position, and early lead in the polls, Walker dropped out on September 21 after the rise of [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Lowry, Rich & Johnson, Eliana (September 8, 2015). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/423725/ Scott Walker: What Went Wrong?]. ''National Review''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Eric Bradner, John King, Dana Bash and Jeff Zeleny (September 21, 2015). [https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/21/politics/scott-walker-drops-out-2016-election/ Scott Walker drops out of 2016 presidential race]. ''CNN''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> He endorsed [[Texas]] Senator [[Ted Cruz]] for the GOP nomination,<ref>Glueck, Katie & Gass, Nick (March 29, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/scott-walker-endorses-ted-cruz-221327 Scott Walker endorses Ted Cruz]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> but he put his full support behind Trump after he won the primary.<ref>Gass, Nick (July 20, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/rnc-2016-scott-walker-donald-trump-endorsement-225914 Walker 'absolutely' endorses Trump]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Gilbert, Craig (July 21, 2016). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-joins-backlash-over-cruz-refusal-to-endorse-trump-b99765830z1-387827571.html Scott Walker joins backlash over Cruz refusal to endorse Trump]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> Walker helped conservative [[Indiana]] governor and GOP vice presidential nominee [[Mike Pence]] prepare for the vice presidential debate against [[Virginia]] Senator [[Tim Kaine]], which Pence decisively won.<ref>Shih, Adrienne (October 5, 2016). [https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/politics/scott-walker-mike-pence-debate/ Gov. Scott Walker: Mike Pence didn't 'take the bait' at debate]. ''CNN''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

===Major GOP victory===

===Trump carries state===

Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election in a historic and massive upset.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/08/first-polls-close-in-2016-race-trump-projected-to-win-ind-ky-clinton-wins-vt.html Trump wins presidency, defeats Clinton in historic election upset]. ''Fox News''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref><ref name="Build">Bauer, Scott (November 9, 2016). [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article113209848.html Republicans build majorities in Legislature]. ''The Charlotte Observer'' (from ''AP''). Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> In addition, Trump won Wisconsin in an equally surprising upset, becoming the first Republican to do so since [[United States presidential election, 1984|1984]].<ref name="Build"/><ref>Kueppers, Courtney (November 8, 2016). [http://www.wpr.org/trump-becomes-1st-republican-presidential-candidate-1984-win-wisconsin Trump Becomes First Republican Presidential Candidate Since 1984 To Win Wisconsin]. ''Wisconsin Public Radio''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> Also, the state GOP won historic victories in the state legislature, building their largest majorities since 1957,<ref name="Build"/><ref>Marley, Patrick & Stein, Jason (November 9, 2016). [http://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/08/gop-retains-hold-legislature/93163322/ GOP strengthens hold on Legislature]. ''Sheboygan Press''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> and conservative Republican U.S. Senator [[Ron Johnson]] defeated liberal [[Russ Feingold]] a second time for a second term.<ref name="Build"/><ref>Schleifer, Theodore (November 8, 2016). [https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/08/politics/ron-johnson-russ-feingold-wisconsin-senate-election-results/ Ron Johnson earns surprise GOP win in Wisconsin Senate race]. ''CNN''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> This put Walker and the Wisconsin Republican Party in a very strong position,<ref>Litke, Eric (November 10, 2016). [http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/10/5-wisconsin-winners-trump-tidal-wave/93550526/ 5 Wisconsin winners in Trump tidal wave]. ''Post-Crescent''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> and it coincided with major electoral gains for the GOP.<ref>Bosman, Julie & Davey, Monica (November 11, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/republicans-expand-control-in-a-deeply-divided-nation.html Republicans Expand Control in a Deeply Divided Nation]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 14, 2016.</ref>

Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election in a historic and massive upset.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/08/first-polls-close-in-2016-race-trump-projected-to-win-ind-ky-clinton-wins-vt.html Trump wins presidency, defeats Clinton in historic election upset]. ''Fox News''. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref><ref name="Build">Bauer, Scott (November 9, 2016). [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/tv/article113209848.html Republicans build majorities in Legislature]. ''The Charlotte Observer'' (from ''AP''). Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> In addition, Trump won Wisconsin in an equally surprising upset, becoming the first Republican to do so since [[United States presidential election, 1984|1984]].<ref name="Build"/><ref>Kueppers, Courtney (November 8, 2016). [http://www.wpr.org/trump-becomes-1st-republican-presidential-candidate-1984-win-wisconsin Trump Becomes First Republican Presidential Candidate Since 1984 To Win Wisconsin]. ''Wisconsin Public Radio''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> Also, the state GOP won historic victories in the state legislature, building their largest majorities since 1957,<ref name="Build"/><ref>Marley, Patrick & Stein, Jason (November 9, 2016). [http://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/08/gop-retains-hold-legislature/93163322/ GOP strengthens hold on Legislature]. ''Sheboygan Press''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> and conservative Republican U.S. Senator [[Ron Johnson]] defeated liberal [[Russ Feingold]] a second time for a second term.<ref name="Build"/><ref>Schleifer, Theodore (November 8, 2016). [https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/08/politics/ron-johnson-russ-feingold-wisconsin-senate-election-results/ Ron Johnson earns surprise GOP win in Wisconsin Senate race]. ''CNN''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> This put Walker and the Wisconsin Republican Party in a very strong position,<ref>Litke, Eric (November 10, 2016). [http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/11/10/5-wisconsin-winners-trump-tidal-wave/93550526/ 5 Wisconsin winners in Trump tidal wave]. ''Post-Crescent''. Retrieved November 12, 2016.</ref> and it coincided with major electoral gains for the GOP.<ref>Bosman, Julie & Davey, Monica (November 11, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/republicans-expand-control-in-a-deeply-divided-nation.html Republicans Expand Control in a Deeply Divided Nation]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved November 14, 2016.</ref>