The WRA Board of Directors voted to endorse incumbent Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in the upcoming recall elections in 2012, assuming the Government Accountability Board (GAB) certifies the required signatures to force the election. The WRA board’s decision followed unanimous recommendations from the WRA Political Strategy Group and the Trustees of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) to provide financial support.
The Walker Record
The decision to endorse Gov. Walker in the 2012 recall election is different from the decision to endorse him in the 2010 gubernatorial election in one significant way: the WRA board didn’t wait to see who his opponent will be or to compare that candidate’s record to Walker’s; this is the process used in “normal” elections. But the recall election is not normal in any way, and Walker’s outstanding record on real estate issues and his strong support among the WRA membership is consistent with the 2010 decision to endorse his candidacy. The WRA has no position on the issue of union collective bargaining rights, which is the main basis for the recall election. A close examination of Walker’s record on real estate issues illustrates the points.
On the Issues
Gov. Walker has been a strong supporter of REALTOR® issues as a lawmaker, county executive and now as governor. Here’s a partial list of Walker’s support on WRA issues.
- 1993 to 2002: In the legislature, Walker had a 91 percent voting record on WRA issues.
- 2002 to 2010: As Milwaukee County Executive, Walker supported REALTOR®-backed issues regarding economic development, budgets and taxes, abandoned property, landlord-tenant and sick leave policies.\
- 2010: As a gubernatorial candidate, Walker indicated his support on a WRA candidate questionnaire on issues such as taxes, free speech, spending restraint, development costs, property taxes, economic development and job growth.
- 2011: As governor, Walker has supported and signed into law the following WRA priorities:
- Property tax freeze.
- Elimination of farmland conversion fees.
- State tax deductions for contributions to health savings accounts.
- Creation of a new Real Estate Examining Board.
- Revisions to restore balance in local landlord-tenant laws.
- Quality REALTOR® appointments to the Real Estate Examining Board and to the Natural Resources Board.
- Repeal of stormwater management rules (NR 151).
- 2011: Also as governor, Walker supports pending legislation in regards to:
- Presumptive approval of DNR permit applications.
- Wetland mitigation.
- Rule revisions regarding the siting of wind turbines to protect private property rights.
The WRA endorsement in 2010 and 2012 is based on real estate-related issues. While other, non-real estate issues will certainly be important considerations for individual REALTORS®, the board’s recommendation is based on business issues critical to homeowners, property owners and REALTORS® in Wisconsin. Considering those issues, the Board of Directors determined that Gov. Walker’s record on WRA issues is superb.
REALTORS® Support Walker
Prior to any potential WRA endorsement in a gubernatorial election, the WRA commissions a professional survey of the membership to determine their opinions and preferences. The survey for this election was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies (POS), a nationally recognized polling firm the WRA has used for over 15 years. The internet survey was sent to every REALTOR® in Wisconsin, with 1,217 responding. It was conducted November 14-18, 2011, and is highly accurate, within a 2.8 percent margin of error. The survey found overwhelming support by REALTORS® across Wisconsin for Gov. Walker:
“Should the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association endorse a candidate in the governor’s recall election?” Over half of Wisconsin REALTORS® think the association should endorse a candidate, with four-in-ten definitely agreeing.
- Total Endorse 56%
- Total Not Endorse 44%
WRA members strongly support endorsing Scott Walker. “If the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association decides to endorse a candidate, should they endorse … ”
- Total Walker 61%
- Total other 18%
- Total undecided 21%
“Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: This recall election of Governor Scott Walker isn’t necessary; voting on Scott Walker’s job can wait until 2014 when he is up for re-election.” Most WRA members strongly believe a referendum on Walker’s job as governor should wait.
- Total Agree 71%
- Total Disagree 25%
“Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Walker is doing as Governor?” WRA members overwhelmingly support Walker, with over half strongly approving of the job he is doing.
- Total Approve 69%
- Total Disapprove 31%
Walker’s job approval is positive across the state:
Milwaukee DMA
- Total approve: 72%
- Total disapprove: 28%
Madison DMA
- Total approve: 55%
- Total disapprove: 45%
Green Bay/Appleton DMA
- Total approve: 77%
- Total disapprove: 23%
Wausau/Rhinelander DMA
- Total approve: 73%
- Total disapprove: 27%
West DMA
- Total approve: 73%
- Total disapprove: 27%
No potential Democratic challenger to Gov. Walker receives more than 26 percent of the vote. “And thinking ahead to the recall election for Governor here in Wisconsin, for whom would you vote if the election were between … ”
WRA members think Wisconsin is heading in the right direction and are more optimistic than they were just a year ago. “Generally speaking, would you say that things here in Wisconsin are going in the right direction, or have they pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?”
- Right Track 65%
- Wrong Track 35%
Walker’s positive job approval among WRA members was overwhelming and clear. After a difficult state budget battle, a bitter state Supreme Court race, and nine historic state Senate recall elections that generated record spending levels of $44 million, REALTORS® in Wisconsin believe Wisconsin is heading in the right direction and support Walker in this year’s recall election.
Clearly not all members will agree with the board’s decision, and as always the WRA respects the right of members to disagree and support a candidate of their choice. However, it’s clear that a sizeable majority of WRA members support Scott Walker and the WRA board’s decision to endorse him again in 2012. The governor’s record on real estate issues and his strong support from the membership merit this endorsement.
More to come as the campaign unfolds!
Joe Murray is Director of Political and Governmental Affairs for the WRA.