The2008 Milwaukee County Executive election took place on April 1, 2008 inMilwaukee County,Wisconsin, US. Incumbent Republican County ExecutiveScott Walker ran for re-election to a second full term. He was challenged by Democratic State SenatorLena 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.[1]
However, Walker did not end up serving his full term as County Executive. He was elected Governor of Wisconsin in2010 and resigned from office thereafter, triggering a2011 special election.
Taylor announced that she would challenge Walker for re-election on October 2, 2007, arguing that she would "restore balance, integrity and fiscal accountability."[2] Though Walker was the favorite for re-election given his higher name recognition as an incumbent and his strong fundraising,[3] Taylor aimed to use the higher turnout from theMilwaukee mayoral election and thepresidential primary to her advantage.[4]
However, Walker's campaign raised significantly more money than Taylor's did, including from out-of-state donors who supported his conservative stances,[5] enabling him to outspend her nearly two-to-one.[6]
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.[7] While Walker argued for the privatization of some county government operations, Taylor criticized him for raising fares and cutting routes on theMilwaukee County Transit System.[8]
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