Tea Party Pushes Walker to Decisive Victory

“36% of voters were Tea Party, 93% cast their ballot for Walker”

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker retained his seat in the election that sought to recall him from office, defeating his challenger Tom Barrett in this election (as he did in the 2010 governor’s race). Walker won with strong support from Republicans, conservatives, Tea Party supporters and a majority of votes from independents.

Walker is the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election. Gov. Gray Davis of California was recalled in 2003, and in 1921, North Dakota’s Governor Lynn Frazier of was ousted due to a recall.

The heated recall race began amid the controversy created when Walker released a state budget proposal that included limiting the collective bargaining rights for public union workers. In response, large demonstrations protesting Walker’s plan took place at the state capital building which eventually led to a recall effort. Voters who turned out for this election narrowly supported Walker’s handling of the collective bargaining issue: 52 percent approved, and 47 percent disapproved.

Voters were similarly divided when asked about the state law that limited the collective bargaining rights of government workers: 52 percent approved, and 47 percent disapproved.

As expected, those voters who approved of Walker’s policies voted overwhelmingly for the governor. Opponents of his policies backed Barrett, the Democrat.

Read more at CBSNews.com HERE.