Wisconsin_gubernatorial_election,_2014
2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Re-election of Scott Walker as Governor of Wisconsin
See also: 2014 Wisconsin elections
The 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to determine the governor and lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It occurred concurrently with elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
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| Turnout | 54.5% ( 3.3%) | |||||||||||||||||||
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 County results Walker: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Burke: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker won re-election to a second term in office, defeating Democratic businesswoman and Madison school board member Mary Burke and two minor party candidates in the general election.
Walker, who was elected in 2010, survived an attempted recall in 2012, the first governor in United States history to do so, defeating Democrat Tom Barrett both times. Wisconsin voters have elected a governor from a different political party than the sitting president in 27 of the last 31 elections since 1932; only once has a Democratic candidate been elected governor in Wisconsin in the last 18 contests when a Democrat was in the White House.[1] Eleven of the last twelve Wisconsin governors, dating back to Republican Vernon Wallace Thomson in the late 1950s, had, unlike Burke, previously won an election to state government, the exception being Republican Lee S. Dreyfus in 1978.[2]
The polling leading up to the election was very close, with no candidate clearly in the lead. The consensus among most analysts was that the race was either a tossup or leaning Republican. As of 2023, this is the last time a Republican was elected governor of Wisconsin. This is the last time that a candidate was elected Governor of Wisconsin by winning a majority of counties in Wisconsin.
Candidates
Declared
- Scott Walker, incumbent governor[3]
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Walker (incumbent) | 238,715 | 99.42 | |
| Republican | Steve Evans (write-in) | 94 | 0.04 | |
| No party | Scattering | 1,293 | 0.54 | |
| Total votes | 240,102 | 100 | ||
Close
Candidates
Declared
- Mary Burke, businesswoman, member of the Madison school district board and former Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce[5]
- Brett Hulsey, state representative[6]
Disqualified
- Marcia Mercedes Perkins[6]
- Hari Trivedi, independent candidate for governor in the 2012 recall election[6]
Declined
- Chris Abele, Milwaukee County Executive[7]
- Peter W. Barca, Minority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly and former U.S. Representative[8][9]
- Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee and nominee for governor in 2010 and 2012[10]
- Deb Carey, founder and president of New Glarus Brewing Company[11]
- Dave Cieslewicz, former mayor of Madison[12]
- Lori Compas, executive director of the Wisconsin Business Alliance and nominee for the Wisconsin Senate in 2012[13][14]
- Kevin Conroy, biotechnology executive[8]
- John Dickert, Mayor of Racine[15]
- Jon Erpenbach, state senator[8]
- Kathleen Falk, former Dane County Executive and candidate for governor in 2012[16]
- Russ Feingold, former U.S. Senator[17]
- Dave Hansen, state senator[14]
- Mark L. Harris, Winnebago County Executive[18]
- Dianne Hesselbein, state representative[13]
- Sara Johann, political activist[13][19]
- Steve Kagen, former U.S. Representative[9]
- Ron Kind, U.S. Representative[20]
- Jessica King, former state senator[13][15]
- Herb Kohl, former U.S. Senator[15]
- Chris Larson, Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate[15]
- Julie Lassa, state senator[13][14]
- Cory Mason, state representative[16]
- Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2012[8][9]
- Gwen Moore, U.S. Representative[13]
- Tom Nelson, Outagamie County Executive and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010[8][9][12]
- Dave Obey, former U.S. Representative[15]
- Joe Parisi, Dane County Executive[8]
- Jennifer Shilling, state senator[13][14]
- Chris Taylor, state representative[13][15]
- Kathleen Vinehout, state senator and candidate for governor in 2012[21]
Endorsements
Mary Burke
- EMILY's List[22]
- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin[23]
- Progressives United[24]
- Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters[25]
Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mary Burke |
Brett Hulsey |
Marcia Mercedes Perkins |
Hari Trivedi |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | May 15–18, 2014 | ? | ± ? | 66% | 3% | 1% | 1% | — | 24% |
Close
Results
Burke—>90%
Burke—80-90%
Burke—70–80%
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Burke | 259,926 | 83.28 | |
| Democratic | Brett Hulsey | 51,830 | 16.61 | |
| No party | Scattering | 350 | 0.11 | |
| Total votes | 312,106 | 100 | ||
Close
Candidates
Declared
- Robert Burke (Libertarian Party), founder of the Libertarian Party of Pierce-St. Croix[26]
- Running mate: Joseph Brost
- Dennis Fehr (The People's Party), businessman and founder of The People's Party[27]
- Brett Hulsey (write-in), state representative[28]
Disqualified
- Francis Klein (Pirate Party)[29]
Predictions
More information Source, Ranking ...
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[30] | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[31] | Lean R | November 3, 2014 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[32] | Tilt R | November 3, 2014 |
| Real Clear Politics[33] | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
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Polling
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Mary Burke (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouGov | October 25–31, 2014 | 1,494 | ± 3.4% | 45% | 43% | 1% | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 28–30, 2014 | 1,814 | ± 3% | 48% | 47% | — | 5% |
| Marquette University | October 23–26, 2014 | 1,164 LV | ± 3% | 50% | 43% | 1% | 7% |
| 1,409 RV | ± 2.7% | 46% | 45% | 1% | 9% | ||
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | October 16–23, 2014 | 3,308 | ± 3% | 46% | 45% | 0% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 20–21, 2014 | 973 | ± 3% | 48% | 49% | 1% | 2% |
| WPR/St. Norbert College Archived 2014-10-25 at the Wayback Machine | October 18–21, 2014 | 525 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 46% | — | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | October 17–18, 2014 | 860 | ± ? | 47% | 46% | — | 7% |
| Marquette University | October 9–12, 2014 | 803 LV | ± 3.5% | 47% | 47% | 0% | 5% |
| 1,004 RV | ± 3.2% | 48% | 45% | 1% | 6% | ||
| Gravis Marketing | October 3–4, 2014 | 837 | ± 3% | 50% | 46% | — | 4% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | September 20–October 1, 2014 | 1,444 | ± 3% | 48% | 49% | 0% | 3% |
| Marquette University | September 25–28, 2014 | 585 LV | ± 4.1% | 51% | 45% | 1% | 4% |
| 801 RV | ± 3.5% | 46% | 45% | 1% | 8% | ||
| Gravis Marketing Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine | September 22–23, 2014 | 908 | ± 3% | 45% | 50% | — | 4% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 15–16, 2014 | 650 | ± 4% | 48% | 46% | 3% | 3% |
| Marquette University | September 11–14, 2014 | 589 LV | ± 4.1% | 49% | 46% | 1% | 4% |
| 800 RV | ± 3.5% | 46% | 46% | 1% | 7% | ||
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | August 18–September 2, 2014 | 1,473 | ± 4% | 49% | 45% | 0% | 5% |
| We Ask America | September 3, 2014 | 1,170 LV | ± 3% | 44% | 48% | 2% | 6% |
| Marquette University | August 21–24, 2014 | 609 LV | ± 4.1% | 47% | 49% | 1% | 4% |
| 815 RV | ± 3.5% | 48% | 44% | 1% | 8% | ||
| Rasmussen Reports | August 13–14, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 48% | 47% | — | 5% |
| Gravis Marketing | July 31–August 2, 2014 | 1,346 | ± 3% | 47% | 47% | — | 6% |
| CBS News/NYT/YouGov | July 5–24, 2014 | 1,968 | ± ? | 47% | 46% | 1% | 5% |
| Marquette University | July 17–20, 2014 | 549 LV | ± 4.3% | 46% | 47% | 1% | 8% |
| 804 RV | ± 3.5% | 46% | 45% | 1% | 8% | ||
| Marquette University | May 15–18, 2014 | 805 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 46% | — | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | April 17–20, 2014 | 1,144 | ± 2.9% | 48% | 45% | — | 7% |
| Magellan Strategies | April 14–15, 2014 | 851 | ± 3.36% | 47% | 47% | 2% | 4% |
| St. Norbert College | March 24–April 3, 2014 | 401 | ± 5% | 55% | 40% | — | 5% |
| Marquette University | March 20–23, 2014 | 801 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 41% | — | 11% |
| Gravis Marketing | March 17, 2014 | 988 | ± 4% | 49% | 44% | — | 7% |
| Rasmussen Reports | March 10–11, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 45% | 45% | 5% | 5% |
| Marquette University | January 20–23, 2014 | 802 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 41% | — | 8% |
| Marquette University | October 21–24, 2013 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 45% | — | 8% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 13–16, 2013 | 1,180 | ± 2.9% | 48% | 42% | — | 10% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Jon Erpenbach (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 48% | 42% | — | 9% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Russ Feingold (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 47% | 49% | — | 4% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Mahlon Mitchell (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Brett Hulsey (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | May 15–18, 2014 | 805 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Steve Kagen (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 48% | 41% | — | 11% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Tom Nelson (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | September 13–16, 2013 | 1,180 | ± 2.9% | 47% | 40% | — | 12% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Ron Kind (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 46% | 42% | — | 11% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Kathleen Vinehout (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | October 21–24, 2013 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 44% | — | 9% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 13–16, 2013 | 1,180 | ± 2.9% | 47% | 41% | — | 10% |
Close
More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Scott Walker (R) |
Peter W. Barca (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette University | October 21–24, 2013 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 48% | 42% | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 13–16, 2013 | 1,180 | ± 2.9% | 47% | 43% | — | 10% |
| Public Policy Polling | February 21–24, 2013 | 1,799 | ± 2.3% | 48% | 43% | — | 9% |
Close
Hypothetical polling
Results
More information Party, Candidate ...
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Walker (incumbent) | 1,259,706 | 52.26% | -0.82% | |
| Democratic | Mary Burke | 1,122,913 | 46.59% | +0.31% | |
| Independent | Robert Burke | 18,720 | 0.78% | N/A | |
| Independent | Dennis Fehr | 7,530 | 0.31% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 1,445 | 0.06% | 0.00% | ||
| Total votes | 2,410,314 | 100.0% | N/A | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Close
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Crawford (largest municipality: Prairie du Chien)
- Eau Claire (largest municipality: Eau Claire)
- Green (largest municipality: Monroe)
- Sauk (largest city: Baraboo)
- Vernon (largest municipality: Viroqua)
By congressional districts
Walker won 6 of the 8 congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.[35]
More information District, Walker ...
| District | Walker | Burke | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 58.25% | 40.73% | Paul Ryan |
| 2nd | 33.35% | 65.51% | Mark Pocan |
| 3rd | 50.1% | 48.52% | Ron Kind |
| 4th | 27.35% | 71.65% | Gwen Moore |
| 5th | 67.64% | 31.53% | Jim Sensenbrenner |
| 6th | 60.71% | 38.17% | Glenn Grothman |
| 7th | 57.84% | 40.98% | Sean Duffy |
| 8th | 60.16% | 38.76% | Reid Ribble |
Close
- Ostermeier, Eric (August 23, 2013). "Scott Walker's Ticket to Ride: Obama in the White House?". Smart Politics.
- Ostermeier, Eric (September 17, 2014). "Wisconsin Gubernatorial Pathways: How Does Burke's Measure Up?". Smart Politics.
- "8 firebrand GOP governors meet 2014's political reality". The Northwestern. June 5, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- "Official Election Results" (PDF). G.A.B. Canvass Reporting System. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- Bauer, Scott (June 25, 2013). "Democrats testing potential candidacy of Mary Burke against Walker in 2014". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- Craver, Jack (April 21, 2014). "Brett Hulsey running for Wisconsin governor: 'I promise you it will be very entertaining'". The Capital Times. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- Schultze, Steve (February 26, 2013). "Citing rapport with Gov. Walker, Abele says he's not contemplating 2014 Democratic run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Stein, Jason (December 15, 2012). "Few Democrats lining up to challenge Walker in 2014". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- Ross, JR (June 9, 2012). "2014 Dem field unclear as party looks to next shot at Walker". Wispolitics.com. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- Umhoefer, Dave (June 4, 2013). "Barrett: Will Walker run for governor again?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- Kertscher, Tom (March 18, 2013). "Run for governor? Brewer Deb Carey prefers suds to hot oil". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Penzenstadler, Nick; Opoien, Jessica (June 7, 2013). "Walker's next opponent could come from Northeastern Wisconsin". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- Camp, Aaron (June 6, 2013). "Can a woman defeat Scott Walker in 2014? YES!!!". The Apollo Report. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- Camp, Aaron (August 12, 2013). "Is a competitive Democratic primary for Governor of Wisconsin inevitable?". The Prairie Badger. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
- Penzenstadler, Nick; Opoien, Jessie (June 7, 2013). "Fox Valley's Nelson, Harris could present challenge to Walker in 2014". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Adair, Paul (July 2, 2013). "Who Will be Elected Governor in 2014". Germantown Now. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- Walker, Don (June 7, 2013). "Russ Feingold teases Democrats about 2016 Senate run". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- Glauber, Bill (August 30, 2013). "Winnebago County Exec Mark Harris declines run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- "WI-Gov: Sara Johann considering run". Daily Kos. May 24, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Beckett, Andrew (June 8, 2013). "Kind says no plans to run for governor". Wisconsin Radio Network. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
- Patrick Marley (January 17, 2014). "Kathleen Vinehout announces she won't run for governor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
- Stein, Jason (October 24, 2013). "EMILY's List endorses Mary Burke, could bring big campaign money". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- "ENDORSED CANDIDATES". ppawi.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- DeFour, Matthew (October 22, 2013). "On Politics: Progressives United will support Mary Burke against Scott Walker". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- "Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Endorses Mary Burke for Governor" (PDF). Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters. April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
- Kertscher, Tom (February 14, 2014). "A Mary Burke and a Robert Burke running for governor?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- Aarik Woods (March 19, 2014). "Local man launches campaign for governor's race". wqow.com. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- Wagman, Jen (October 23, 2014). "State Rep. Brad Hulsey launches write-in campaign for governor". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- Horne, Michael (June 8, 2013). "Ahoy! Pirate Party Will Rally Downtown". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "gab.wi.gov" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 4, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
- Official campaign websites (archived)