Walker Heaps Praise On His Party During Address In State Capitol

Gov. Scott Walker addressed Assembly Republicans on Monday, praising last week’s election results and telling them to prepare for a productive session.

During his address in the state Capitol, Walker praised his party members for their last four years of leadership in the statehouse.

“And I think there’s a reason why on Tuesday, not only was I elected for the third time in four years, but why you all grew to the largest majorities we’ve had since before I was born,” he said.

Republican Assembly members are preparing to enjoy their largest majority since the late 1950s, after gaining three seats in last week’s election.

Walker also said he hopes the rest of the country is taking notes on Wisconsin politics.

“I told some of my friends now who are headed to Washington to look to what we did in Wisconsin,” said Walker. “What we did. Not what I did — what we did.”

The governor said eyes are on the “industrial Midwest” — states he said were economically “in the tank” four years ago.

“We have a chance not only to make this state better. We literally — and I don’t think this is an overstatement — we have a chance to make this country better. Because, for right or for wrong, the people of this country are looking at states like Wisconsin,” said Walker.

Before the governor’s speech, the caucus elected Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington, as Assembly speaker. Vos ran unopposed for the position. Members also elected Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, as majority leader. Current Majority Leader Pat Strachota, who was the first-ever female Republican majority leader, is retiring before the next session.

That session begins in January.