WAUKESHA, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who became the first governor in US history to survive a recall but flamed out early in the 2016 presidential race, launched his reelection campaign for a third term Sunday at a factory near Milwaukee.
Dozens of his supporters, current officeholders, and candidates attended the rally at Weldall Manufacturing in Waukesha, while protesters largely organized by the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera gathered outside.
Walker said he would work to ensure that everyone in the state ‘‘shares in our economic prosperity.’’ The campaign will focused on his plans for improving the economy, raising incomes, bettering schools, and cutting taxes, he said.
‘‘I’m more optimistic about the future today than I ever have been before but there’s more to be done,’’ Walker said in an interview before the rally.
There is no clear Democratic front-runner to face Walker in the November 2018 election. At least a dozen Democrats, including the state superintendent of schools, two state lawmakers, former officeholders, political activists, and newcomers, have said they are running or are considering getting in.
No matter the candidate, Democrats will run and win on a message that Republicans have ignored working-class people to benefit the wealthy and special interests, said Wisconsin Democratic Party chairwoman Martha Laning.
‘‘You’re not going to beat Scott Walker by promising he’ll make Wisconsin worse,’’ said Scot Ross, director of the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now. ‘‘You’ll beat Scott Walker by promising you’ll make Wisconsin better.’’
Walker, 50, is looking to become the first Wisconsin governor since Tommy Thompson in 1998, and only the second in state history, to be elected to a third four-year term. There are no term limits in Wisconsin. Walker has said he will not seek a fourth term if he wins.
Thompson praised Walker for staying visible and engaged in the state after his failed presidential run in 2015.
‘‘It’s difficult running for governor,’’ Thompson said in an interview. ‘‘Each time you have more people that want to question you, but he knows what he has to do and he’s doing it.’’
Bill McCoshen, a lobbyist who ran Thompson’s campaign for a third term in 1994, said Walker will win because he has a long record of accomplishments.
‘‘That was the formula that worked for Tommy,’’ McCoshen said. ‘‘Voters reward you when you get things done.’’
Though Walker has won three governor elections, counting the recall, he’s never gotten more than 53 percent of the vote.
His approval rating dropped to a low of 37 percent in late 2015 but has slowly grown back to 48 percent. Democrats are optimistic those numbers coupled with low approval ratings for President Trump make Walker vulnerable.
Associated Press
