Who’s Endorsing Scott Walker?

The June 5^th recall election set to oust Governor Scott Walker is just 6 weeks away. It has been a tumultuous year for the citizens and businesses of Wisconsin, and of course Scott Walker himself. I am expecting a heavy onslaught of television and radio advertisements in the weeks up to the recall election. Right now, Tom Barrett and Kathleen Falk are battling it out to see who can obtain more supporters before the Democratic primary on May 8^th.

Recently, Tom Barrett received a significant endorsement from the statewide police union which represents about 10,000 officers. Kathleen Falk has support from the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the statewide teachers’ union. However, last weekend the union announced that it would support whichever candidate emerges to take on Scott Walker. This news has sparked curiosity within me to find out who exactly has come out in support of Governor Walker. The following is a list of which companies or organizations have come forward publicly to endorse Scott Walker.

• The Wisconsin’s Builders Association (WBA). This group represents 5000 employees within the homebuilding industry. Their membership includes builders, suppliers, subcontractors, manufacturers, lenders, and other business throughout the state.
• The (WBA) president Gary Roehrig has said, “Governor Walker has opened Wisconsin     for business, he has kept his promises. His courageous leadership on Wisconsin’s budget  and business  climate have             saved taxpayers millions  and have given employers confidence  in Wisconsin again.”
• The Tavern League of Wisconsin. This group represents over 5,000 small business owners in Wisconsin’s hospitality industry. Executive director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin said, “Governor Walker understands the needs and concerns of small business owners and has helped us operate in a better environment for job creation. Governor Walker’s decisive leadership has led to the creation of 15,600 private sector jobs in 2012, the state’s lowest unemployment rate since 2008, and the first statewide drop in property taxes in over a decade. The Tavern League of Wisconsin is proud to endorse Governor Walker for reelection.”
• The Milwaukee Police Association. President of the Milwaukee Police Association stated, “Governor Walker has a strong record of supporting public safety with an unwavering commitment to first responders.”
• Sheboygan County Officials: Mayor Don Pohlman, state Senator Joe Leibham and state Reps. Steve Kestell and Mike Endsley. According to Pohlman, “Plymouth’s budget was balanced, for the first time in six years,    without borrowing and with a zero tax levy increase. Before the reforms, we would raise the levy limit to the tax, and we still  didn’t have enough revenue to cover the increases in salaries, health care and pension costs.” As a result of changes made by Walker and the  Legislature … we can manage our expenses, and this year we actually put $100,000 back  into reserves as opposed to taking $100,000 out.”
• Endsley, in his first term in the Assembly said, “Other states have balanced their budgets through massive layoffs or extreme tax increases. In Wisconsin, through responsible fiscal reforms, Wisconsin homeowners saw the smallest increase in their property tax bills in 15 years, we avoided massive layoffs, and we balanced our budget without raising taxes.” Savings in the communities of his 26th Assembly District top $9 million.
• Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake), chairman of the Assembly Education Committee and representative of the 27th Assembly District, said Wisconsin’s public schools are “immeasurably better off now after Act 10 … we’ve turned the corner on education.”
• Wisconsin’s Relator’s Association (WRA). The WRA is one of Wisconsin’s largest trade organizations, representing and providing services to over 13,000 members statewide. Rob Keefe, Chairman of the WRA said, “Governor Walker made Wisconsin a better  place to do business and own a home by balancing a massive $3.6 billion budget deficit without tax increases, without layoffs and without gimmicks. The Wisconsin Realtors Association is proud to endorse Governor Walker for keeping his promises to limit taxes, fees, and overly-restrictive regulations while protecting property and homeowners’ rights.”
• Associated General Contractor’s of Wisconsin (AGC). The AGC represents over 650 members including general and specialty contractors. AGC President Kurt Boson made this statement: “Wisconsin’s future prosperity and growth are at risk during this recall

I applaud these organizations for publically supporting Governor Walker.  Their endorsements show the same kind of courage Governor Walker uses in controversial policymaking. It will be interesting to see what other organizations come forward in the next six weeks.