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Scott Walker returns to Delavan as he begins bid for governor

DELAVAN — Scott Walker returned to his hometown of Delavan Wednesday morning as he begins his bid for governor.

He used the background of family, friends and former high school classmates to illustrate the values that he plans to bring to his campaign.

The Milwaukee County executive entered the race Tuesday.

Walker, a Republican, spoke at the Delavan Fire Department before a gathering that included an enthusiastic group of supporters.

In a 20 minute speech -- a speech that he will give versions of many times over the next year and a half -- Walker pitched the values of service, team work, hard work and courage.

"These aren't necessarily small-town values," he said. "But they're the values I learned growing up in Delavan."

Walker quickly took aim at Gov. Jim Doyle, although Doyle has not yet announced if he will run for re-election.

In the current economic climate, Walker said, the governor's response is to raise spending and taxes.

"I believe in the people. He believes in the government," Walker said.

Walker's appearance in Delavan lasted about and hour, then he was off to the Fox River Valley for a series of radio interviews.

Walker said this will be the biggest contrast in a campaign since 1986 when Tommy Thompson took on then Governor Tony Earle.

In a campaign news release, Walker said Wisconsin lost 112, 000 private sector jobs in the last year while state government added 900 new taxpayer funded positions.

“Wisconsin is facing record job losses and our budget deficit of nearly $6 billion is the worst in state history,” Walker said. “Sadly our leaders in Madison believe more spending and higher taxes are the solution.”

But Walker said tax increases signed into the law by the governor earlier this year have already cost Wisconsin jobs.

Walker said Wisconsin needs fundamental change to put our economy back on track, and said despite runaway spending, Doyle had not improved the quality of life for Wisconsin families.

“I believe in a state that places the education of its children above the needs of the special interests and where parental involvement in education is celebrated,” Walker said.

“I want to build a Wisconsin where students are given affordable options for higher education. I want to live in a state where hardworking families can access quality affordable healthcare through market-based solutions. I see a state that attracts hard working people and new entrepreneurs. It’s not enough to tinker around the edges of failed public policies that drive jobs, qualified workers and retirees from our state.”

“I believe in a better Wisconsin and I believe the voters do too.”