Here & Now

Evers Wins Close Election for Governor

Frederica Freyberg:
Record midterm voter turnout Tuesday. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, unofficial results show that more than 2.67 million Wisconsinites, more than 59% of the voting age population, trudged through rain and cold to get to the polls. And there’s this. “There is no evidence of hacking or voter fraud or suppression,” said Meagan Wolfe of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. “Given the unprecedented voter turnout for the midterm election, the relatively small number of issues reported should give Wisconsinites confidence and pride in our system of clean and transparent elections.” We begin tonight with the governor’s race, where Democrat Tony Evers captured just more than a one-point margin of victory. But it wasn’t called until Wednesday morning. Zac Schultz reports.

Zac Schultz:
Governor Scott Walker’s election night party in Pewaukee was a more subdued affair than in prior election years.

[cheers and applause]

Zac Schultz:
During his wins in 2010, ’12 and ’14, Walker was a clear favorite heading into the night and was declared the winner in time for the 10:00 news. But this time a small crowd of supporters looked anxious as Walker and Democrat Tony Evers traded the lead past midnight. Looming over it all were 47,000 uncounted absentee ballots from the city of Milwaukee. With 98% of all precincts reporting, it was clear these ballots would determine the winner. The results were broadcast live in the room by WTMJ in Milwaukee.

Election Official:
For Walker, 47,463. He received 7,181. And the Democratic candidate, Evers, received 38,674.

Zac Schultz:
That gave Evers his winning margin of 29,000 votes. Immediately the audio was cut. And those who weren’t stunned into silence began heading for the exits. Two minutes later, Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch took the podium.

Rebecca Kleefisch:
I am here this morning to tell you that the fight is not over.

[cheers]

Zac Schultz:
She did not concede. Instead, she asked for donations and volunteers.

Rebecca Kleefisch:
That this morning we are preparing for the likelihood of a recount here in the state of Wisconsin.

Zac Schultz:
Supporters weren’t ready to talk about the end of the Scott Walker era.

Man:
My mood on the whole thing is disbelief.

Woman:
I need some Tums.

[cheers and applause]

Zac Schultz:
Meanwhile, in Madison, the future Lieutenant Governor, Mandela Barnes, was talking about emotions on the other end of the spectrum.

Mandela Barnes:
This has been a wild night. We’ve gone through a range of emotions. But in the end, we prevailed.

[cheers and applause]

Zac Schultz:
Even without a concession call from Walker, Tony Evers was ready to declare victory.

Tony Evers:
Given all the results we have seen tonight, I feel confident in saying to you right now, my name is Tony Evers, and I’m going to be the next governor of the state of Wisconsin!

[cheers and applause]