Walker Calls Dem Win in Trump District a 'Wake-Up Call for Republicans'

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tweeted that Tuesday’s Democratic win in a rural special elections is “a wake up call for Republicans,” with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) agreeing that the GOP should “pay attention” to the results.

Democrat Patty Schachtner won by 10 points in Wisconsin’s State Senate District 10, flipping a district that President Trump won by 17 points in 2016. Former Republican State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, who left office to become Walker’s agriculture secretary, won re-election in the district by 26 points in 2016.

Schachtner, the St. Croix County medical examiner, defeated state GOP Rep. Adam Jarchow.

“WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know we are getting positive things done in Wisconsin. Help us share the good news,” Walker tweeted. “WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume voters know that more people are working than ever before. Help us share the good news.”

“WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know that we invested more actual dollars into schools than ever before. Help us share the good news,” the governor continued. “WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know that we eliminated the State property tax to provide working families & seniors relief. Help us share the good news.”

“WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know we froze UW tuition six years in a row to make college more affordable. Help us share the good news. WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know that healthcare systems in Wisconsin rank #1 for quality. Help us share the good news. WAKE UP CALL: Can’t presume that voters know that we added $200 for every student in every school this year & an extra $204 next year. Help us share the good news.”

Walker then tweeted a donation link to “help us spread the good news about our results and fight back against those trying to undo our reforms.”

“Biggest takeaway from last night: We can’t presume that everyone knows about the positive things we’re getting done for the people of Wisconsin!” he added.

Talking to reporters on Capitol Hill today, Ryan was asked if he agreed with Walker’s “wake-up call” assessment.

“I know Sheila Harsdorf very, very well. I know this district fairly well. It’s not my district,” Ryan replied. “It’s over in western Wisconsin. But, typically, we’ve held this seat, and we lost this seat last night. So, yeah, we — I think we should pay attention to it.”