2008 Milwaukee County Executive election

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2008 Milwaukee County Executive election
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  Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker 07.jpg Senator Taylor (1).JPG
Candidate Scott Walker Lena Taylor
Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan
Popular vote98,03968,785
Percentage58.66%41.16%
County Executive before election

Scott Walker
Nonpartisan

Elected County Executive

Scott Walker
Nonpartisan

The 2008 Milwaukee County Executive election took place on April 1, 2008 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, US. Incumbent Republican County Executive Scott Walker ran for re-election to a second full term. He was challenged by Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor. Because they were the only two candidates on the ballot, the primary election was cancelled and they proceeded to the general election. Though Taylor waged an aggressive campaign against Walker, he ultimately defeated her by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to her 41 percent. [1]

Contents

However, Walker did not end up serving his full term as County Executive. He was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2010 and resigned from office thereafter, triggering a 2011 special election.

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Taylor announced that she would challenge Walker for re-election on October 2, 2007, arguing that she would "restore balance, integrity and fiscal accountability." [2] Though Walker was the favorite for re-election given his higher name recognition as an incumbent and his strong fundraising, [3] Taylor aimed to use the higher turnout from the Milwaukee mayoral election and the presidential primary to her advantage. [4]

However, Walker's campaign raised significantly more money than Taylor's did, including from out-of-state donors who supported his conservative stances, [5] enabling him to outspend her nearly two-to-one. [6]

Though the race was formally nonpartisan, the race had partisan overtones. Walker campaigned on his conservative governance, and attacked Taylor as a "tax-and-spend" liberal, while Taylor argued that Walker was a partisan Republican who was too close to go business. [7] While Walker argued for the privatization of some county government operations, Taylor criticized him for raising fares and cutting routes on the Milwaukee County Transit System. [8]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Scott
Walker		Lena
Taylor		Undecided
Mellman Group [3] November 28–29, 2007500 (LV)± 4.9%41%35%24%

Results

2008 Milwaukee County Executive election results [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Scott Walker (inc.) 98,039 58.66%
Nonpartisan Lena Taylor68,78541.16%
Write-in 2940.18%
Total votes167,118 100.00%

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

References

  1. ↑ Borowski, Greg J. (April 2, 2008). "Walker wins with tax-curbing theme". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Schultze, Steve (December 15, 2007). "Taylor says she's in race to oust Walker". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Bice, Daniel (December 15, 2007). "Race may be closer than we thought". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on December 19, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kane, Eugene (October 3, 2007). "Coattail effect could be Taylor made". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  5. ↑ Schultze, Steve (February 13, 2008). "Wal-Mart family gives to Walker". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  6. ↑ Borowski, Greg; Sandler, Larry (March 25, 2008). "Walker outspends Taylor 2 to 1". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  7. ↑ Schultze, Steve (March 23, 2008). "Big contrasts dominate top county race". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  8. ↑ Borowski, Greg J. (March 23, 2008). "Taylor gets in last shots at Walker". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  9. ↑ "2008 Election Results - 4-1-08 County Executive" (PDF). Milwaukee County Clerk. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
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