Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, first rose to prominence seven years ago by breaking the state teacher’s union; now he’s trying to reinvent himself as the “education governor” as he faces a state schools superintendent in November.
Walker, who became a national hero to conservatives after his crackdown on teachers, will most likely face the head of the state school system, Tony Evers, in the upcoming general election. Evers is beating Walker in head-to-head polls, but must still compete with seven other candidates for the Democratic nomination.
"I am proud to be the pro-education governor because our reforms are working," Walker told Politico in a statement.
"Thanks to our reforms, local school leaders can staff based on merit and pay based on performance," Walker added. "That means they can put the best and the brightest in the classroom and keep them there."
Evers told Politico that Walker is being forced into defending his record and focusing on education.
"It borders on a joke," he said. "The proof is in the pudding ... I don't think many people believe him."
GOP strategist Brandon Scholz told Politico that Walker can beat Evans on education by pointing to the bigger picture, predicting that the Democrat will challenge the governor by saying he failed to curb education spending.
“Gov. Walker will come back and say 'Look at this last budget we've done. We've done this and done this and done this,'” Scholz said.
“At some point it's a he-said he-said and Evers is neutralized,” he continued. “I don't see Evers having a one-up on the governor on education just because he's had this job. The governor's pulpit and budget is a lot bigger than Tony Evers' department of public instruction.”
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