Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said on Thursday that Gov. Scott Walker needs to be held accountable for his promise to help Wisconsin create 250,000 jobs in his first term.
Speaking during an appearance on Wisconsin Public Radio, Debbie Wasserman Schultz brought up Walker’s jobs promise early and often.
“This is a governor who famously predicted that he’d be able to create 250,000 jobs,” said Wasserman Schultz. “He’s nowhere near on track to do that, and it’s not something that he’s made a priority. If he claims he has made it a priority, then his track record of success is clearly lacking.”
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
According to the best available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin has added about 102,000 jobs since Walker took office.
Wasserman-Schultz was also familiar with Wisconsin’s private-sector job growth rankings compared to other states.
“The latest numbers rank Wisconsin at 35th, 36th and 37th in job creation over the past three years,” she said. “That is not leadership, that is not a solid record of accomplishment, and it’s far behind where Wisconsin should be.”
Walker no longer brings up the 250,000 jobs promise in his speeches, instead pointing out that the total number of jobs added under his administration is higher than under Gov. Jim Doyle. Walker also notes that the total number of jobs added in his first three years was nearly twice as high as the three years when Burke was Doyle’s commerce secretary.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.