2008 Milwaukee County Executive election

none September 2023 2008 Milwaukee County Executive election Wisconsin presidential no April 1, 2008 2004 Milwaukee County Executive election 2004 2011 Milwaukee County Executive special election 2011 (special) x155px Scott Walker Nonpartisan candidate 98,039 58.66% 150x150px Lena Taylor Nonpartisan candidate 68,785 41.16% County Executive Scott Walker Nonpartisan Scott Walker Nonpartisan 280px| 150px Precinct resultsWalker: #FFB580 40–50% #FF9A50 50–60% #EE8E50 60–70% #D69850 70–80% #B98A35 80–90%Taylor: #51C2C2 50–60% #2AACAC 60–70% #009696 70–80% #008080 80–90% #006666 >90%Tie: #AE8BB1 50-60%#808080 No votes The 2008 Milwaukee County Executive election took place on April 1, 2008 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, US. Incumbent Republican County Executive Scott Walker ran for re-election to a second full term. He was challenged by Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor. Because they were the only two candidates on the ballot, the primary election was cancelled and they proceeded to the general election. Though Taylor waged an aggressive campaign against Walker, he ultimately defeated her by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to her 41 percent.Borowski Greg J. Walker wins with tax-curbing theme Milwaukee Journal Sentinel April 2, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29406444.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110914132608/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29406444.html September 14, 2011 July 27, 2025 However, Walker did not end up serving his full term as County Executive. He was elected Governor of Wisconsin in 2010 and resigned from office thereafter, triggering a 2011 special election. General election Candidates Scott Walker, incumbent County Executive Lena Taylor, State SenatorSchultze Steve Taylor says she's in race to oust Walker Milwaukee Journal Sentinel December 15, 2007 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29260849.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150509144558/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29260849.html May 9, 2015 July 27, 2025 Campaign Taylor announced that she would challenge Walker for re-election on October 2, 2007, arguing that she would "restore balance, integrity and fiscal accountability." Though Walker was the favorite for re-election given his higher name recognition as an incumbent and his strong fundraising,Bice Daniel Race may be closer than we thought Milwaukee Journal Sentinel December 15, 2007 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=697150 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071219134252/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=697150 December 19, 2007 July 27, 2025 Taylor aimed to use the higher turnout from the Milwaukee mayoral election and the presidential primary to her advantage.Kane Eugene Coattail effect could be Taylor made Milwaukee Journal Sentinel October 3, 2007 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=670840 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071102144018/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=670840 November 2, 2007 July 27, 2025 However, Walker's campaign raised significantly more money than Taylor's did, including from out-of-state donors who supported his conservative stances,Schultze Steve Wal-Mart family gives to Walker Milwaukee Journal Sentinel February 13, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29466189.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130524164108/http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29466189.html May 24, 2013 July 27, 2025 enabling him to outspend her nearly two-to-one.Borowski Greg Sandler Larry Walker outspends Taylor 2 to 1 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 25, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=731555 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080330033516/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=731555 March 30, 2008 July 27, 2025 Though the race was formally nonpartisan, the race had partisan overtones. Walker campaigned on his conservative governance, and attacked Taylor as a "tax-and-spend" liberal, while Taylor argued that Walker was a partisan Republican who was too close to go business.Schultze Steve Big contrasts dominate top county race Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 23, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=73 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080330033414/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=731248 March 30, 2008 July 27, 2025 While Walker argued for the privatization of some county government operations, Taylor criticized him for raising fares and cutting routes on the Milwaukee County Transit System.Borowski Greg J. Taylor gets in last shots at Walker Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 23, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=732639 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080330033647/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=732639 March 30, 2008 July 27, 2025 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear "Key" Marginof error ScottWalker Lena Taylor UndecidedMellman GroupNovember 28–29, 2007500 (LV)± 4.9%41%35%24% Results 2008 Milwaukee County Executive election results2008 Election Results - 4-1-08 County Executive Milwaukee County Clerk http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyElectCommission/ElectionResults/2008/4108_Canvass_County_Executive.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110718181653/http://county.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cntyElectCommission/ElectionResults/2008/4108_Canvass_County_Executive.pdf July 18, 2011 July 11, 2025 Scott Walker (inc.) Nonpartisan candidate 98,039 58.66% Lena Taylor Nonpartisan candidate 68,785 41.16% write-ins 294 0.18% 167,118 100.00% Notes References Category:2008 United States county executive elections Category:2008 United States local elections Category:2008 Wisconsin elections Category:Milwaukee County Executive elections Category:Scott Walker (politician)