Wisconsin
What to know about former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker ahead of the RNC
Scott Walker is the former 45th governor of Wisconsin, a position he held from 2011 to 2019. During his tenure, he evoked massive protests over his Act 10 legislation, survived a recall election and had a short-lived run for President.
The Republican politician is one of Wisconsin’s delegates set to attend the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.
Here’s what to know.
When did Scott Walker hold office?
Walker became governor in 2011 when he defeated Democratic nominee Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee. Opposition over his Act 12 law prompted a recall campaign that drew enough signatures to force Walker to run in a recall election in 2012. He won, making him the first of two incumbent governors in the history of the United States to survive a recall election. He easily won a second term in 2014 over his Democratic opponent, Madison School Board member Mary Burke.
In 2019, Walker lost his bid for a third term to former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, a Democrat.
Before serving as governor, Walker got his start in politics in 1993, when he was elected to the state assembly with a platform that focused on fiscal conservatism. He was elected County Executive of Milwaukee County in 2002, a position he held until 2010. He first entered the governor’s race in 2006 but withdrew due to a lack of funding; he was successful four years later.
What is Scott Walker’s background?
Walker, 56, was born in 1967 in Colorado Springs. His mother Patricia was a bookkeeper and his father Llewellyn Scott was a Baptist minister. He is one of two sons. The family lived in cities including Plainfield, Iowa, and Delavan, Wisconsin.
Walker attended Marquette University for four years, but left in 1990 after he was 34 credits short of completing his undergraduate degree. He maintained ties with the University and attended his 20-year reunion in 2010.
Before entering politics, Walker worked for the American Red Cross. He married his wife Tonette Tarantino in 1993. They have two children, who attended Marquette and the University of Wisconsin.
What is Scott Walker’s legacy in Wisconsin?
Walker cemented his role as one of Wisconsin’s most influential governors, notably through his support for Act 10, which ended collective bargaining for most public sector workers and required unions to hold annual elections to maintain their ability to negotiate for raises.
Thousands of protestors flooded the Wisconsin state Capitol in opposition to the Budget Repair Bill and Senate Democrats left the state to thwart the bill’s passing. The resulting legislation diminished the influence of unions and reshaped Wisconsin’s political climate, thrusting Walker and Wisconsin into national spotlight in an unprecedented way.
Two former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters, Jason Stein and Patrick Marley, chronicled the events in their book “More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions, and the Fight for Wisconsin.”
A Dane County judge on July 3 ruled provisions of Act 10 law are unconstitutional and denied a motion to dismiss a case challenging the law.
In 2011, Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature also notably passed partisan gerrymanders drawn up in secret. The maps ensured a Republican legislative dominance that maintained for years until Evers signed into law new maps in February.
During his tenure, Walker focused on conservative fiscal policies. He enacted large tax cuts, expanded private school vouchers and froze tuition at University of Wisconsin campuses.
Did Scott Walker run for president?
Yes. After heavy speculation and anticipation, Walker launched a campaign in 2015 and was considered one of the frontrunners for the nomination following strong performances and polling at the start of the race. But Trump’s unprecedented rise in popularity, Walker’s uninspiring performance in the first Republican debate and his shifting stances on issues resulted in declining poll support. He withdrew from the race after just two months.
What are Scott Walker’s views on Trump?
Walker has been supportive of the former President since dropping out of the race in 2015.
He spoke at Trump’s June 18 rally in Racine, where the former Gov. criticized Joe Biden on rising prices, border security and public safety.
“We can’t afford four more years of Joe Biden. We need President Donald Trump to make Wisconsin and America affordable,” Walker said during the event. He called on supporters to knock on doors, make phone calls, join their local parties to garner support for Trump beyond rallies.
“We win Wisconsin, we win America,” Walker said.
In May of last year, Walker said it would be a mistake for Trump to “blow off Wisconsin” and decline to participate in the first Republican presidential debate in August, noting that “Hillary Clinton made that mistake in 2016 and it cost her the election.”
Trump did skip the debate in the end, opting to partake in an online interview with Tucker Carlson instead.
What is Scott Walker doing now?
Walker has served as president of the Young America’s Foundation since 2019, when he accepted a full-time position running the northern-Virginia based national conservative youth organization.
He hosted a political podcast “Freedom Fighters with Governor Scott Walker” from 2019 until 2022.
In 2023 he ruled out challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, telling the Journal Sentinel he would be “bored as a senator.” Walker hasn’t ruled out a future run for president.
What role will Scott Walker play during the RNC?
Delegates will formally nominate Trump as the party’s candidate to take on Biden at the RNC from July 15-18. Walker is one of 41 Wisconsin’s delegates; there are 2,429 total delegates from across the country. Wisconsin’s delegation also includes former Gov. Tommy Thompson and 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels. Walker and Thompson are also serving as honorary co-chairs of the Milwaukee 2024 Host Committee.
Wisconsin
Tranfser Portal Predcition: Wisconsin trasnfer John Blackwell likely to land with contender
John Blackwell is one of the more sought-after players still available in the NCAA transfer portal. Big-time programs are coming after the former Wisconsin Badgers guard. And now, On3’s Joe Tipton is calling his shot on where Blackwell will end up.
Tipton has put in an RPM for Blackwell to commit and sign with the Duke Blue Devils. His level of confidence sits at 60%. If Duke head coach Jon Scheyer can get this one over the finish line, it could prove to be a massive addition.
“Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell is one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal,” Tipton said. “The 6-foot-4 shooting guard took an official visit to Duke on Monday and the Blue Devils are carrying the momentum in this recruitment. I’ve officially placed an RPM prediction in favor of Duke to ultimately land the star transfer.”
The On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings have Blackwell slotted as the No. 5 overall player to enter this cycle. Just looking at shooting guards, only one guy is ahead of him — Wake Forest‘s Juke Harris.
Blackwell spent three seasons in Madison before entering the transfer portal. He was in double figures over the last two years, averaging 19.1 points during the 2025-2026 campaign. Duke will enjoy his efficiency as well, shooting 43% from the field and 38.9% behind the three-point line.
There is more to what Blackwell can do than just shoot, though. He snagged just over five rebounds and dished out 2.3 assists per game.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Before the RPM pick from Tipton, the latest update on where things stood with Blackwell came on Saturday. Tipton laid out who else is still considered to be in the running, including a visit schedule for the Wisconsin transfer. You can check out the full piece of intel here.
Duke has turned into one of the more consistent programs in college basketball, playing at a high level under Scheyer. The last three seasons have resulted in at least an Elite Eight appearance, even making the Final Four in 2025. Still, the expectations in Durham are to win a national championship. Maybe Blackwell is the guy who can help them take the next step forward.
Wisconsin
Rubber bullet carnage as 1,000 animal welfare activists storm beagle breeding lab in Wisconsin | Fortune
About 1,000 animal welfare activists who tried to gain entry Saturday to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader.
It was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, said in a video statement that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” and assault officers. He said protesters have ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering.
“This is not a peaceful protest,” Barrett said.
The sheriff’s department said a “significant” number of people were arrested out of about 1,000 protesters at the site but did not give an exact total as they were still being processed as of the afternoon.
Protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some protesters did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
“I just feel defeated,” activist Julie Vrzeski told the newspaper about three hours into the operation after no dogs had been successfully seized.
Activists later moved from the Ridglan facility to protest outside the jail in downtown Madison.
The group Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs had publicized plans to seize the dogs Sunday but launched its operation a day earlier. The X account of the group’s leader, Wayne Hsiung, posted a picture of him being arrested.
The sheriff’s department said a person who “recklessly” drove a pickup through the front gate of the property was arrested, “preventing a potentially deadly outcome.”
Protesters broke into the facility in March and took 30 dogs. Twenty-seven people were arrested on trespassing and other charges.
Ridglan has denied mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website it says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin authorities put total arrests from clashes at beagle breeding facility at about 25
MADISON (AP) — Around 25 protesters were arrested as around 1,000 animal welfare activists tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin and were met by officers firing pepper spray and rubber bullets, authorities said Sunday.
Saturday’s protest was the second attempt in as many months by demonstrators to take beagles from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison. They were turned back by officers who arrested the group’s leader.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said the situation was “significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, when around 200 people assembled outside the farm. They dispersed after around two hours, it said.
“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully.”
Owen Ziliak/The Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The sheriff had said in a video statement Saturday that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property.” They tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Amber Arnold/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. But most arrestees were just booked and released, the sheriff’s office said Sunday.
“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsuing said in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not “things.” They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse,” he concluded.
Protesters took 30 dogs when they broke into the facility in March, when authorities arrested 27 people.
Ridglan denies mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 in a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website, the company says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error
-
World4 minutes agoMexico pyramid shooter who took hostages and killed 1 is identified
-
Politics10 minutes agoByron Donalds cracks down on persistent border blind spot leaving US vulnerable to overstays
-
Health16 minutes agoHealthy diets spark lung cancer risk in non-smokers as pesticides loom
-
Sports22 minutes agoPGA Tour signals new era with axing of Hawaii events from schedule
-
Technology28 minutes agoAlexa+ lets you order food like a real conversation
-
Business34 minutes agoNew lawsuit alleges Uber is violating drivers’ rights. Here’s how
-
Entertainment40 minutes agoReview: Trigger warning? ‘For Want of a Horse’ gives new meaning to the term ‘animal lover’
-
Lifestyle46 minutes agoMore is more in this L.A. ‘barn’ exploding with thrifted finds and maximalist flair