Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s recall in hands of voters

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a Republican who only came into office 18 months ago, has been put under fire for stripping most public unions of their collective bargaining rights in an effort to cut the state’s $3.6 billion budget deficit. Walker’s opponents occupied the State Capitol in Madison in winter of 2011 and collected roughly a million votes in their bid to remove the governor, which is far more than the 540,000 needed to force a recall vote.

If the incumbent is to remain on his job, Walker will have to defeat his Democratic opponent, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, in a special election that lies in the hands of the Wisconsin people. In an interview with FOX Business Network on Monday, Walker said, “Collective bargaining would only make it more difficult to balance the budget. We are moving things forward. Beyond Wisconsin, why many of my fellow reform-minded governors are here in the state of Wisconsin helping us out, is they understand this is a sign about whether or not elected officials have the courage to take on these tough issues.” The Walker recall fight has been put in the national spotlight, given Wisconsin is a key state in the race for the White House.