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While Wisconsin is notable for its left-wing Progressivist and Socialist movements, numerous prominent conservatives also came from the state. One of them, [[Joseph McCarthy]], is notable for his strong [[Anti-Communist|anti-communism]] and his active attempts to uncover Communist subversives in the U.S. government.<ref>[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1774.html Joseph McCarthy]. ''u-s-history.com''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>de Toledano, Ralph (April 25, 2005). [http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-real-mccarthy/ The Real McCarthy]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref>

While Wisconsin is notable for its left-wing Progressivist and Socialist movements, numerous prominent conservatives also came from the state. One of them, [[Joseph McCarthy]], is notable for his strong [[Anti-Communist|anti-communism]] and his active attempts to uncover Communist subversives in the U.S. government.<ref>[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1774.html Joseph McCarthy]. ''u-s-history.com''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>de Toledano, Ralph (April 25, 2005). [http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-real-mccarthy/ The Real McCarthy]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref>

[[Tommy Thompson]] was another prominent conservative, although he has also been considered a moderate.<ref>Walker, Dan (November 7, 2012). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/after-a-long-career-tommy-makes-his-political-exit-n77hmjj-177593341.html After a long career, Tommy makes his political exit]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He most prominently served as governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, and is famous for reforming the state's welfare system in order to reduce dependence on government, reducing the state's welfare [[caseload]] by 93 percent.<ref name="Thompson">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-060/?action=more_essay Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>Perlman, Ellen (1997). [http://www.governing.com/poy/Tommy-Thompson.html Tommy G. Thompson]. ''Governing''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He also "created the nation's first school choice program" in 1990.<ref name="Thompson"/> Despite Thompson's accomplishments, they have been surpassed by [[Scott Walker]], discussed below.

[[Tommy Thompson]] was another prominent conservative, although he has also been considered a moderate.<ref>Walker, Dan (November 7, 2012). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/after-a-long-career-tommy-makes-his-political-exit-n77hmjj-177593341.html After a long career, Tommy makes his political exit]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He most prominently served as governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, and is famous for reforming the state's welfare system in order to reduce dependence on government, reducing the state's welfare [[caseload]] by 93 percent.<ref name="Thompson">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-060/?action=more_essay Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution]. ''Wisconsin Historical Society''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref><ref>Perlman, Ellen (1997). [http://www.governing.com/poy/Tommy-Thompson.html Tommy G. Thompson]. ''Governing''. Retrieved November 24, 2016.</ref> He also "created the nation's first school choice program" in 1990.<ref name="Thompson"/>

====Other====

====Scott Walker and the conservative surge====

Wisconsin cannot be stereotyped politically. It is often associated with the name of anti-communist crusader of the 1950s [[Joseph McCarthy]], but is equally tied to that of [[Robert M. La Follette]] and his Progressive faction of the Republican Party and the [[Progressive Party]]. Socialists flourished in [[Germania]] in Milwaukee, typified by [[Victor Berger]], the first Socialist Party candidate elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Frank Zeidler, the Mayor of Milwaukee from 1948-1960 was the last in a string of twelve socialist mayors of Milwaukee, whose emphasis on the basics of municipal service led them to be called "sewer socialists."<ref name="SewerS"/> The state is usually a battleground in presidential elections. Its Republicans tend to be moderates, such as [[Tommy Thompson]], who served as a four-term governor from 1987 to 2001, then entered the cabinet.

Despite Thompson's accomplishments, the conservative [[Scott Walker]], who was first elected governor in 2010 has surpassed them. In the 2010 elections, conservative Republicans made large gains in Wisconsin, with Republicans taking control of the state legislature, the U.S. House delegation, and one U.S. Senate seat, all in addition to the governorship.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/2010-11-02-wi-full-election-results_N.htm Wisconsin: GOP wins Senate, House, gov. seats, ousting Feingold]. ''USA Today'' (from ''AP''). November 3, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref><ref>Stein, Jason & Johnson, Annysa (November 3, 2010). [http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/106582898.html Republicans take over state Senate, Assembly]. ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel''. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref>

 

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">[http://www.biography.com/people/scott-walker-20941829 Scott Walker]. ''Biography.com''. Retrieved October 20, 2016.</ref> While liberals and [[labor unions]] strong opposed this move, Walker became the first governor to survive a recall election in 2012.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/06/05/polls-close-in-wisconsin-voter-turnout-reported-heavy.html Wisconsin's Walker survives recall by wide margin]. ''Fox News''. June 6, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2016.</ref> The GOP continued to make major gains, including in the 2016 elections,<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> when [[Donald Trump]] became the first Republican since 1984 to win the state, among other GOP victories.<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>

 

Walker and the other conservative Republicans made major changes in other areas, including abortion, [[gun rights]], and fiscal conservatism.

==Economy==

==Economy==