2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

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.

2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

← 2006 November 2, 2010 2012 (recall) →
Turnout49.7%
 
Nominee Scott Walker Tom Barrett
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Rebecca Kleefisch Tom Nelson
Popular vote 1,128,941 1,004,303
Percentage 52.25% 46.48%

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

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

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Barrett celebrating his victory in the Democratic primary

Governor

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Candidates

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Failed to qualify

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

Results

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Democratic gubernatorial primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Barrett 213,145 90.41%
Democratic Tim John 22,296 9.46%
Democratic Scattering 321 0.14%
Total votes 235,762 100.00%

Lieutenant governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Nelson 108,765 51.84%
Democratic Spencer Coggs 43,807 20.88%
Democratic James L. Schneider 37,519 17.88%
Democratic Henry Sanders 19,387 9.24%
Democratic Scattering 322 0.15%
Total votes 209,800 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidate Mark Neumann speaks with an attendee at a campaign event
 
Walker celebrating his victory in the Republican primary

Governor

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Candidates

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Failed to qualify

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Polling

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Poll source Dates administered Mark
Neumann
Scott
Walker
Public Policy Polling[10] June 26–27, 2010 19% 58%
WPRI[11] March 9, 2010 27% 46%
WPRI[12] October 1, 2009 14% 39%

Results

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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]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Walker 362,913 58.65%
Republican Mark Neumann 239,022 38.62%
Republican Scott S. Paterick 16,646 2.69%
Republican Scattering 247 0.04%
Total votes 618,828 100.00%

Lieutenant governor

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rebecca Kleefisch 258,714 46.78%
Republican Brett Davis 139,997 25.31%
Republican Dave Ross 80,617 14.58%
Republican Robert Gerald Lorge 52,076 9.42%
Republican Nick Voegeli 21,040 3.80%
Republican Scattering 628 0.11%
Total votes 553,072 100.00%

Libertarian primary

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Governor

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There were no qualified candidates in the Libertarian gubernatorial primary.

Lieutenant governor

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Candidates

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  • Terry Virgil

Results

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Libertarian lieutenant gubernatorial primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Terry Virgil 403 96.18%
Libertarian Scattering 16 3.82%
Total votes 419 100.00%

Independent nominations

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Candidates

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  • Jim Langer (Independent)[3]
  • James James (Common Sense)[13]

Failed to qualify

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  • Michael J. Blinkwitz[3]

Results

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Independent gubernatorial primary results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent Jim Langer 1,657 72.96%
Independent James James 614 27.04%
Total votes 2,271 100.00%

General election

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Barrett (left) and Walker (right) debating each other on October 15
 
Walker campaigning at an October event hosted by American Solutions
 
Barrett at a campaign rally in Milwaukee in October

Candidates

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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

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Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report[15] Tossup October 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] Tossup October 28, 2010

Polling

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Poll source Dates administered Tom
Barrett (D)
Scott
Walker (R)
McClatchy[20] October 20, 2010 40% 52%
Wisconsin Herald[21] October 16, 2010 44% 52%
CNN/Time Magazine[22] October 8–12, 2010 44% 52%
Rasmussen Reports[23] October 11, 2010 42% 51%
Ipsos/Reuters[24] October 8–11, 2010 42% 52%
Rasmussen Reports[23] September 29, 2010 44% 50%
CNN/Time[25] September 17–21, 2010 42% 53%
Public Policy Polling[26] September 18–19, 2010 41% 50%
Rasmussen Reports[27] September 15, 2010 43% 51%
Rasmussen Reports[28] August 24, 2010 44% 47%
Rasmussen Reports[23] August 10, 2010 41% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[23] July 27, 2010 43% 50%
Rasmussen Reports[29] July 13, 2010 44% 48%
Public Policy Polling[30] June 26–27, 2010 38% 45%
Rasmussen Reports[31] June 21, 2010 41% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[23] May 25, 2010 41% 48%
Rasmussen Reports[32] April 20, 2010 44% 46%
Public Policy Polling[33] March 20–21, 2010 39% 42%
Rasmussen Reports[34] March 16, 2010 42% 48%
WPRI[11] March 9, 2010 32% 36%
Rasmussen Reports[32] February 17, 2010 40% 49%
Rasmussen Reports[32] January 26, 2010 38% 48%
Public Policy Polling[35] November 20–22, 2009 40% 40%

Results

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Walker celebrating his victory on election night
 
Governor-elect Walker holding a press conference in December
 
Walker's gubernatorial inauguration
2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Scott Walker 1,128,941 52.25% +6.94%
Democratic Tom Barrett 1,004,303 46.48% −6.22%
Independent Jim Langer 10,608 0.49%
Common Sense James James 8,273 0.38%
Libertarian No Candidate[a] 6,790 0.31%
Independent Patricia Messicci (write-in) 22 0.00%
Independent Leslie Ervin Smetak (write-in) 19 0.00%
Independent Hari Trivedi (write-in) 18 0.00%
Scattering 1,858 0.09%
Majority 124,638 5.77%
Total votes 2,160,832 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing +13.16%

Results by county

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County[36] Scott Walker
Republican
Tom Barrett
Democratic
All Others
Various
Margin Total votes cast
# % # % # % # %
Adams 3,748 52.27% 3,298 46.00% 124 1.73% 450 6.28% 7,170
Ashland 2,205 37.07% 3,664 61.59% 80 1.34% -1,459 -24.53% 5,949
Barron 8,486 54.68% 6,746 43.47% 288 1.86% 1,740 11.21% 15,520
Bayfield 2,961 40.89% 4,185 57.79% 96 1.33% -1,224 -16.90% 7,242
Brown 49,567 56.08% 37,549 42.48% 1,274 1.44% 12,018 13.60% 88,390
Buffalo 2,610 53.49% 2,174 44.56% 95 1.95% 436 8.94% 4,879
Burnett 3,479 56.86% 2,555 41.76% 85 1.39% 924 15.10% 6,119
Calumet 11,152 60.26% 7,065 38.18% 288 1.56% 4,087 22.09% 18,505
Chippewa 11,901 56.25% 8,753 41.37% 504 2.38% 3,148 14.88% 21,158
Clark 6,368 60.62% 3,844 36.59% 293 2.79% 2,524 24.03% 10,505
Columbia 11,059 51.71% 10,014 46.83% 312 1.46% 1,045 4.89% 21,385
Crawford 2,792 46.84% 3,062 51.37% 107 1.80% -270 -4.53% 5,961
Dane 68,238 30.98% 149,699 67.96% 2,336 1.06% -81,461 -36.98% 220,273
Dodge 20,568 66.06% 10,138 32.56% 427 1.37% 10,430 33.50% 31,133
Door 6,932 49.98% 6,719 48.44% 219 1.58% 213 1.54% 13,870
Douglas 6,255 41.17% 8,703 57.28% 235 1.55% -2,448 -16.11% 15,193
Dunn 7,282 53.71% 5,972 44.05% 304 2.24% 1,310 9.66% 13,558
Eau Claire 18,018 48.52% 18,454 49.70% 661 1.78% -436 -1.17% 37,133
Florence 1,197 65.30% 612 33.39% 24 1.31% 585 31.91% 1,833
Fond du Lac 24,407 64.30% 13,145 34.63% 405 1.07% 11,262 29.67% 37,957
Forest 1,790 52.65% 1,565 46.03% 45 1.32% 225 6.62% 3,400
Grant 8,611 52.21% 7,573 45.91% 310 1.88% 1,038 6.29% 16,494
Green 6,391 48.46% 6,567 49.80% 229 1.74% -176 -1.33% 13,187
Green Lake 4,488 64.28% 2,262 32.40% 232 3.32% 2,226 31.88% 6,982
Iowa 3,867 44.21% 4,750 54.31% 129 1.47% -883 -10.10% 8,746
Iron 1,336 53.38% 1,139 45.51% 28 1.12% 197 7.87% 2,503
Jackson 3,428 50.59% 3,219 47.51% 129 1.90% 209 3.08% 6,776
Jefferson 19,155 60.75% 11,909 37.77% 466 1.48% 7,246 22.98% 31,530
Juneau 4,502 56.36% 3,358 42.04% 128 1.60% 1,144 14.32% 7,988
Kenosha 25,136 51.29% 23,312 47.57% 562 1.15% 1,824 3.72% 49,010
Kewaunee 4,577 56.69% 3,345 41.43% 152 1.88% 1,232 15.26% 8,074
La Crosse 20,754 49.32% 20,639 49.05% 684 1.63% 115 0.27% 42,077
Lafayette 2,926 52.31% 2,566 45.87% 102 1.82% 360 6.44% 5,594
Langlade 4,481 61.17% 2,754 37.60% 90 1.23% 1,727 23.58% 7,325
Lincoln 6,201 54.73% 4,872 43.00% 258 2.28% 1,329 11.73% 11,331
Manitowoc 18,234 60.03% 11,784 38.80% 357 1.18% 6,450 21.23% 30,375
Marathon 28,516 57.59% 20,028 40.45% 970 1.96% 8,488 17.14% 49,514
Marinette 8,222 56.49% 6,127 42.09% 207 1.42% 2,095 14.39% 14,556
Marquette 3,483 58.05% 2,384 39.73% 133 2.22% 1,099 18.32% 6,000
Menominee 166 22.07% 586 77.93% 0 0.00% -420 -55.85% 752
Milwaukee 128,612 37.71% 209,932 61.56% 2,473 0.73% -81,320 -23.85% 341,017
Monroe 7,570 57.83% 5,199 39.72% 320 2.44% 2,371 18.11% 13,089
Oconto 8,131 59.35% 5,380 39.27% 189 1.38% 2,751 20.08% 13,700
Oneida 8,773 55.29% 6,762 42.62% 331 2.09% 2,011 12.67% 15,866
Outagamie 35,143 53.85% 29,223 44.78% 893 1.37% 5,920 9.07% 65,259
Ozaukee 29,879 68.88% 13,233 30.50% 269 0.62% 16,646 38.37% 43,381
Pepin 1,279 53.14% 1,093 45.41% 35 1.45% 186 7.73% 2,407
Pierce 7,067 53.10% 5,925 44.52% 316 2.37% 1,142 8.58% 13,308
Polk 8,842 59.37% 5,752 38.62% 298 2.00% 3,090 20.75% 14,892
Portage 12,794 46.23% 14,463 52.26% 420 1.52% -1,669 -6.03% 27,677
Price 3,284 52.21% 2,858 45.44% 148 2.35% 426 6.77% 6,290
Racine 40,813 56.07% 31,333 43.05% 645 0.89% 9,480 13.02% 72,791
Richland 3,293 52.72% 2,866 45.89% 87 1.39% 427 6.84% 6,246
Rock 23,813 45.61% 27,424 52.52% 976 1.87% -3,611 -6.92% 52,213
Rusk 3,045 56.37% 2,170 40.17% 187 3.46% 875 16.20% 5,402
Sauk 11,044 49.82% 10,741 48.46% 381 1.72% 303 1.37% 22,166
Sawyer 3,766 57.97% 2,650 40.79% 81 1.25% 1,116 17.18% 6,497
Shawano 8,663 60.27% 5,487 38.18% 223 1.55% 3,176 22.10% 14,373
Sheboygan 29,657 63.27% 16,720 35.67% 497 1.06% 12,937 27.60% 46,874
St. Croix 17,298 61.48% 10,329 36.71% 510 1.81% 6,969 24.77% 28,137
Taylor 4,212 62.17% 2,370 34.98% 193 2.85% 1,842 27.19% 6,775
Trempealeau 4,898 48.88% 4,928 49.18% 195 1.95% -30 -0.30% 10,021
Vernon 5,441 49.78% 5,278 48.29% 211 1.93% 163 1.49% 10,930
Vilas 6,595 62.58% 3,773 35.80% 171 1.62% 2,822 26.78% 10,539
Walworth 22,733 64.73% 11,870 33.80% 516 1.47% 10,863 30.93% 35,119
Washburn 3,533 53.43% 2,974 44.98% 105 1.59% 559 8.45% 6,612
Washington 44,222 74.99% 14,276 24.21% 475 0.81% 29,946 50.78% 58,973
Waukesha 134,608 71.49% 52,684 27.98% 986 0.52% 81,924 43.51% 188,278
Waupaca 10,596 59.12% 7,072 39.46% 256 1.43% 3,524 19.66% 17,924
Waushara 5,178 60.11% 3,284 38.12% 152 1.76% 1,894 21.99% 8,614
Winnebago 33,044 53.96% 27,141 44.32% 1,056 1.72% 5,903 9.64% 61,241
Wood 15,626 55.27% 12,023 42.52% 625 2.21% 3,603 12.74% 28,274
Total 1,128,941 52.25% 1,004,303 46.48% 27,588 1.28% 124,638 5.77% 2,160,832

Counties that flipped Democratic to Republican

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Notes

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

References

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  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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c Rasmussen Reports
  33. ^ Public Policy Polling
  34. ^ Rasmussen Reports
  35. ^ Public Policy Polling
  36. ^ a b "Canvass Summary 2010 General Election". Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
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Debates

Official campaign websites (Archived)