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Walker Speaks In Suburban Milwaukee As Part Of Hectic Campaign Swing

Chuck Quirmbach
The Walker campaign bus prepares to leave Glendale, on its way Sunday to Sheboygan and Appleton.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker is expected to spend all day campaigning Monday, as he tries to defeat Democratic challenger Tony Evers in Tuesday's gubernatorial election. Sunday, Walker made stops in Sheboygan, Appleton and Glendale.

In Glendale, about 50 people waited for Walker in the Republican Party's North Shore campaign office. State Sen. Alberta Darling warmed up the crowd with a reminder about boosting turnout on Tuesday. 

"How many of you are going to get at least 10 people — friends, relatives, people you don't even know — out to vote?” Darling asked.

Credit Chuck Quirmbach
Gov. Walker holds a "Sorry We're Closed" sign that he says symbolizes business closings if Democrat Tony Evers wins Tuesday.

The governor showed up a little behind schedule, but then launched into remarks that repeated his campaign themes of an improved economy and protection of health insurance coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Polls show the gubernatorial race is close, and Walker alleges that's partly because Evers is lying by saying coverage is at risk. 

"Tony Evers, I find it outrageous. Outrageous, that you would take advantage of people in their time of need, battling cancer and other diseases to take advantage of them politically,” Walker stated.

Democrats say it's Walker being the politician, promising last week to put the pre-existing conditions language from the Affordable Care Act into state law, after taking part in lawsuits against the federal rules.

Credit Chuck Quirmbach
Supporters raise party hats to Gov. Walker, as he is handed a cake to celebrate his recent birthday.

Political analysts say a different reason many Republicans running this fall may be in trouble is the relative unpopularity of Republican President Donald Trump. Walker told reporters he does not have a Trump problem.

“Anyone whose party is in the White House and is running a competitive race like we have here in Wisconsin, it's always a challenge. So, we're running against history. It's not unique to this president. It's been around a long time," Walker said.

Walker also told the crowd that Wisconsin would move backward under Evers. That message went over well with rally attendee Arlene Becker-Zarmi who says she fears higher property taxes.

"We can't afford it. My husband is living on disability. We're both writers and don't make much money," Becker-Zarmi said.

Walker supporter Zoraida Demarest also expressed a fear:  "Socialism. Just basically, the Democratic Party being in charge and wanting to take control over a lot of things," Demarest said.

Democrats like Evers say they're trying to restore democracy after eight years of Walker running Wisconsin.

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