Republican Governor Scott Walker of ((the midwestern U.S. state of)) Wisconsin has defeated his Democratic opponent in a recall election that observers say has implications for the November presidential election.
With nearly all the votes counted, Walker was easily beating Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett by nearly a double digit margin in a race which attracted huge voter turnout. Barrettconceded the race hours after the polls closed.
Shortly after taking office, Walker pushed through a law that sharply curtailed the right of most government employees to bargain for pay raises and other benefits, angering unions and Democratic activists.
Walker is the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.