2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

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2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Flag of Wisconsin.svg
  2006 November 2, 2010 2012 (recall)  
Turnout49.7%
  Scott Walker (5084945413) (3x4a).jpg Tom Barrett for Wisconsin (3x4).jpg
Nominee Scott Walker Tom Barrett
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Rebecca Kleefisch Tom Nelson
Popular vote1,128,9411,004,303
Percentage52.25%46.48%

2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election by precinct.svg
Walker:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Barrett:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Tie:     

Governor before election

Jim Doyle
Democratic

Elected Governor

Scott Walker
Republican

The 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. The primary elections on September 14 determined which candidates advanced to the general election.

Contents

Incumbent Democratic governor Jim Doyle did not seek re-election in 2010, making for the first open gubernatorial election in Wisconsin since 1982. Republican nominee Scott Walker, the Milwaukee County Executive, defeated Democratic nominee Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee. As of 2022, this was the last gubernatorial election in which a Republican gubernatorial candidate carried La Crosse and Columbia counties, and the last in which a Democratic candidate carried Trempealeau County.

Democratic primary

Barrett celebrating his victory in the Democratic primary Primary Election Celebration in Oshkosh 6 (5031491828).jpg
Barrett celebrating his victory in the Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

Failed to qualify

  • Jared Gary Christiansen [3]
  • Dominic Reinwand [4]

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tom Barrett 213,145 90.41%
Democratic Tim John22,2969.46%
Democratic Scattering3210.14%
Total votes235,762 100.00%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Results

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tom Nelson 108,765 51.84%
Democratic Spencer Coggs 43,80720.88%
Democratic James L. Schneider37,51917.88%
Democratic Henry Sanders19,3879.24%
Democratic Scattering3220.15%
Total votes209,800 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidate Mark Neumann speaks with an attendee at a campaign event Neumann Town Halls 019-1 (Medium) (4843497305).jpg
Candidate Mark Neumann speaks with an attendee at a campaign event
Walker celebrating his victory in the Republican primary P1040051 (4991685465).jpg
Walker celebrating his victory in the Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

Failed to qualify

Polling

Poll sourceDates administeredMark
Neumann
Scott
Walker
Public Policy Polling [10] June 26–27, 201019%58%
WPRI [11] March 9, 201027%46%
WPRI [12] October 1, 200914%39%

Results

Results by county:
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Walker--70-80%
Walker--60-70%
Walker--50-60%
Walker--40-50%
Neumann--40-50%
Neumann--50-60% Wisconsin Governor Republican primary, 2010.svg
Results by county:
  Walker—70–80%
  Walker—60–70%
  Walker—50–60%
  Walker—40–50%
  Neumann—40–50%
  Neumann—50–60%
Republican gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Scott Walker 362,913 58.65%
Republican Mark Neumann 239,02238.62%
Republican Scott S. Paterick16,6462.69%
Republican Scattering2470.04%
Total votes618,828 100.00%

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

Results

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rebecca Kleefisch 258,714 46.78%
Republican Brett Davis 139,99725.31%
Republican Dave Ross 80,61714.58%
Republican Robert Gerald Lorge52,0769.42%
Republican Nick Voegeli21,0403.80%
Republican Scattering6280.11%
Total votes553,072 100.00%

Libertarian primary

Governor

There were no qualified candidates in the Libertarian gubernatorial primary.

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

  • Terry Virgil

Results

Libertarian lieutenant gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Libertarian Terry Virgil 403 96.18%
Libertarian Scattering163.82%
Total votes419 100.00%

Independent nominations

Candidates

Failed to qualify

Results

Independent gubernatorial primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Independent Jim Langer 1,657 72.96%
Independent James James 614 27.04%
Total votes2,271 100.00%

General election

Barrett (left) and Walker (right) debating each other on October 15 Barrett-Walker (5084945413).jpg
Barrett (left) and Walker (right) debating each other on October 15
Walker campaigning at an October event hosted by American Solutions Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker runs for Governor of Wisconsin in October 2010.jpg
Walker campaigning at an October event hosted by American Solutions
Barrett at a campaign rally in Milwaukee in October Milwaukee Early Vote Rally (5115626494) (1).jpg
Barrett at a campaign rally in Milwaukee in October

Candidates

Seven candidates appeared on the primary election ballot: two Democrats, three Republicans and two other candidates. After Walker and Barrett won their respective primaries, they faced each other and independent candidates using the "Independent" and "Common Sense" labels in the November general election. [14]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Cook Political Report [15] TossupOctober 14, 2010
Rothenberg Political Report [16] Lean R (flip)October 28, 2010
RealClearPolitics [17] Lean R (flip)November 1, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball [18] Likely R (flip)October 28, 2010
CQ Politics [19] TossupOctober 28, 2010

Polling

Poll sourceDates administeredTom
Barrett (D)
Scott
Walker (R)
McClatchy [20] October 20, 201040%52%
Wisconsin Herald [21] October 16, 201044%52%
CNN/Time Magazine [22] October 8–12, 201044%52%
Rasmussen Reports [23] October 11, 201042%51%
Ipsos/Reuters [24] October 8–11, 201042%52%
Rasmussen Reports [23] September 29, 201044%50%
CNN/Time [25] September 17–21, 201042%53%
Public Policy Polling [26] September 18–19, 201041%50%
Rasmussen Reports [27] September 15, 201043%51%
Rasmussen Reports [28] August 24, 201044%47%
Rasmussen Reports [23] August 10, 201041%49%
Rasmussen Reports [23] July 27, 201043%50%
Rasmussen Reports [29] July 13, 201044%48%
Public Policy Polling [30] June 26–27, 201038%45%
Rasmussen Reports [31] June 21, 201041%49%
Rasmussen Reports [23] May 25, 201041%48%
Rasmussen Reports [32] April 20, 201044%46%
Public Policy Polling [33] March 20–21, 201039%42%
Rasmussen Reports [34] March 16, 201042%48%
WPRI [11] March 9, 201032%36%
Rasmussen Reports [32] February 17, 201040%49%
Rasmussen Reports [32] January 26, 201038%48%
Public Policy Polling [35] November 20–22, 200940%40%

Results

Walker celebrating his victory on election night 101102Walker (5141745315).jpg
Walker celebrating his victory on election night
Governor-elect Walker holding a press conference in December 101228Walker1 (5300845622).jpg
Governor-elect Walker holding a press conference in December
Walker's gubernatorial inauguration Walker inauguration (5321828206).jpg
Walker's gubernatorial inauguration
2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Scott Walker 1,128,941 52.25% +6.94%
Democratic Tom Barrett 1,004,30346.48%−6.22%
Independent Jim Langer10,6080.49%
Common SenseJames James8,2730.38%
Libertarian No Candidate [a] 6,7900.31%
Independent Patricia Messicci (write-in)220.00%
Independent Leslie Ervin Smetak (write-in)190.00%
Independent Hari Trivedi (write-in)180.00%
Scattering1,8580.09%
Majority124,6385.77%
Total votes2,160,832 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing +13.16%

By county

County [36] Scott Walker
Republican
Tom Barrett
Democratic
All Others
Various
MarginTotal votes cast
# %# %# %# %
Adams 3,74852.27%3,29846.00%1241.73%4506.28%7,170
Ashland 2,20537.07%3,66461.59%801.34%-1,459-24.53%5,949
Barron 8,48654.68%6,74643.47%2881.86%1,74011.21%15,520
Bayfield 2,96140.89%4,18557.79%961.33%-1,224-16.90%7,242
Brown 49,56756.08%37,54942.48%1,2741.44%12,01813.60%88,390
Buffalo 2,61053.49%2,17444.56%951.95%4368.94%4,879
Burnett 3,47956.86%2,55541.76%851.39%92415.10%6,119
Calumet 11,15260.26%7,06538.18%2881.56%4,08722.09%18,505
Chippewa 11,90156.25%8,75341.37%5042.38%3,14814.88%21,158
Clark 6,36860.62%3,84436.59%2932.79%2,52424.03%10,505
Columbia 11,05951.71%10,01446.83%3121.46%1,0454.89%21,385
Crawford 2,79246.84%3,06251.37%1071.80%-270-4.53%5,961
Dane 68,23830.98%149,69967.96%2,3361.06%-81,461-36.98%220,273
Dodge 20,56866.06%10,13832.56%4271.37%10,43033.50%31,133
Door 6,93249.98%6,71948.44%2191.58%2131.54%13,870
Douglas 6,25541.17%8,70357.28%2351.55%-2,448-16.11%15,193
Dunn 7,28253.71%5,97244.05%3042.24%1,3109.66%13,558
Eau Claire 18,01848.52%18,45449.70%6611.78%-436-1.17%37,133
Florence 1,19765.30%61233.39%241.31%58531.91%1,833
Fond du Lac 24,40764.30%13,14534.63%4051.07%11,26229.67%37,957
Forest 1,79052.65%1,56546.03%451.32%2256.62%3,400
Grant 8,61152.21%7,57345.91%3101.88%1,0386.29%16,494
Green 6,39148.46%6,56749.80%2291.74%-176-1.33%13,187
Green Lake 4,48864.28%2,26232.40%2323.32%2,22631.88%6,982
Iowa 3,86744.21%4,75054.31%1291.47%-883-10.10%8,746
Iron 1,33653.38%1,13945.51%281.12%1977.87%2,503
Jackson 3,42850.59%3,21947.51%1291.90%2093.08%6,776
Jefferson 19,15560.75%11,90937.77%4661.48%7,24622.98%31,530
Juneau 4,50256.36%3,35842.04%1281.60%1,14414.32%7,988
Kenosha 25,13651.29%23,31247.57%5621.15%1,8243.72%49,010
Kewaunee 4,57756.69%3,34541.43%1521.88%1,23215.26%8,074
La Crosse 20,75449.32%20,63949.05%6841.63%1150.27%42,077
Lafayette 2,92652.31%2,56645.87%1021.82%3606.44%5,594
Langlade 4,48161.17%2,75437.60%901.23%1,72723.58%7,325
Lincoln 6,20154.73%4,87243.00%2582.28%1,32911.73%11,331
Manitowoc 18,23460.03%11,78438.80%3571.18%6,45021.23%30,375
Marathon 28,51657.59%20,02840.45%9701.96%8,48817.14%49,514
Marinette 8,22256.49%6,12742.09%2071.42%2,09514.39%14,556
Marquette 3,48358.05%2,38439.73%1332.22%1,09918.32%6,000
Menominee 16622.07%58677.93%00.00%-420-55.85%752
Milwaukee 128,61237.71%209,93261.56%2,4730.73%-81,320-23.85%341,017
Monroe 7,57057.83%5,19939.72%3202.44%2,37118.11%13,089
Oconto 8,13159.35%5,38039.27%1891.38%2,75120.08%13,700
Oneida 8,77355.29%6,76242.62%3312.09%2,01112.67%15,866
Outagamie 35,14353.85%29,22344.78%8931.37%5,9209.07%65,259
Ozaukee 29,87968.88%13,23330.50%2690.62%16,64638.37%43,381
Pepin 1,27953.14%1,09345.41%351.45%1867.73%2,407
Pierce 7,06753.10%5,92544.52%3162.37%1,1428.58%13,308
Polk 8,84259.37%5,75238.62%2982.00%3,09020.75%14,892
Portage 12,79446.23%14,46352.26%4201.52%-1,669-6.03%27,677
Price 3,28452.21%2,85845.44%1482.35%4266.77%6,290
Racine 40,81356.07%31,33343.05%6450.89%9,48013.02%72,791
Richland 3,29352.72%2,86645.89%871.39%4276.84%6,246
Rock 23,81345.61%27,42452.52%9761.87%-3,611-6.92%52,213
Rusk 3,04556.37%2,17040.17%1873.46%87516.20%5,402
Sauk 11,04449.82%10,74148.46%3811.72%3031.37%22,166
Sawyer 3,76657.97%2,65040.79%811.25%1,11617.18%6,497
Shawano 8,66360.27%5,48738.18%2231.55%3,17622.10%14,373
Sheboygan 29,65763.27%16,72035.67%4971.06%12,93727.60%46,874
St. Croix 17,29861.48%10,32936.71%5101.81%6,96924.77%28,137
Taylor 4,21262.17%2,37034.98%1932.85%1,84227.19%6,775
Trempealeau 4,89848.88%4,92849.18%1951.95%-30-0.30%10,021
Vernon 5,44149.78%5,27848.29%2111.93%1631.49%10,930
Vilas 6,59562.58%3,77335.80%1711.62%2,82226.78%10,539
Walworth 22,73364.73%11,87033.80%5161.47%10,86330.93%35,119
Washburn 3,53353.43%2,97444.98%1051.59%5598.45%6,612
Washington 44,22274.99%14,27624.21%4750.81%29,94650.78%58,973
Waukesha 134,60871.49%52,68427.98%9860.52%81,92443.51%188,278
Waupaca 10,59659.12%7,07239.46%2561.43%3,52419.66%17,924
Waushara 5,17860.11%3,28438.12%1521.76%1,89421.99%8,614
Winnebago 33,04453.96%27,14144.32%1,0561.72%5,9039.64%61,241
Wood 15,62655.27%12,02342.52%6252.21%3,60312.74%28,274
Total1,128,94152.25%1,004,30346.48%27,5881.28%124,6385.77%2,160,832
Counties that flipped Democratic to Republican

Notes

  1. The Libertarian Party had no candidate for governor in 2010, although Terry Virgil ran on the party ticket for Lieutenant Governor

References

  1. Trevey, Mick (August 20, 2009). "Will Barrett Run for Governor? | Today's TMJ4 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News". Todaystmj4.com. Retrieved August 21, 2010.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. "Tim John for Governor 2010 | Wisconsin, a Beacon of Hope | Wisconsin's Race for Governor 2010". Timjohnforgovernor.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ten have filed to run for Governor so far". JS Online. September 8, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  4. "Pittsville man enters race for governor".[ permanent dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fall Primary Summary". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  6. "Statement from Wisconsin Rapids man on bid for governor".[ permanent dead link ]
  7. 1 2 Borowski, Greg J. (September 7, 2008). "Republicans keep an eye out for 2010 candidates". JSOnline.com . Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  8. "Ingram for Governor website". Ingram4u.com. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  9. "Dills, Todd & Max Kvidera. "Election 2008: The Choice" Truckers News September 2008". Etrucker.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  10. Public Policy Polling [ permanent dead link ]
  11. 1 2 WPRI
  12. WPRI
  13. ""Candidates on the Fall 2010 Election Ballot: This report is the final list of all the candidates approved by the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board for the September 14, 2010, Primary Election. The list reflects Board action on July 21 and 22 with respect to challenges to ballot access." State of Wisconsin Governmental Accountability Board". Gab.wi.gov. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  14. "Candidates on the Fall 2010 Election Ballot: This report is the final list of all the candidates approved by the Government Accountability Board for the September 14, 2010, Primary Election". Gab.wi.gov. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  15. "2010 Governors Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  16. "Governor Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report . Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  17. "2010 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics . Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  18. "THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS". Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  19. "Race Ratings Chart: Governor". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
  20. McClatchy
  21. Wisconsin Herald
  22. CNN/Time Magazine
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Rasmussen Reports
  24. Ipsos/Reuters
  25. CNN/Time
  26. Public Policy Polling
  27. Rasmussen Reports
  28. Rasmussen Reports
  29. Rasmussen Reports
  30. Public Policy Polling
  31. Rasmussen Reports
  32. 1 2 3 Rasmussen Reports
  33. Public Policy Polling
  34. Rasmussen Reports
  35. Public Policy Polling
  36. 1 2 "Canvass Summary 2010 General Election". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. Retrieved September 16, 2024.

Debates

Official campaign websites (Archived)