Gov. Scott Walker
Governor Scott Walker says he’s putting off a decision on seeking a third term until after the next state budget is passed.
Speaking to reporters in Madison Thursday morning, Walker said the budget is his main focus right now, although he has been holding fundraisers and hinted that he’s open to running again in 2018 because of the possibilities ahead for the state with Republican control in Washington D.C. after the presidential election.
Republicans will control the White and Congress in 2017, and the governor said that could mean returning more responsibilities and resources back to the states. “Whether it’s in Medicaid, transportation, education or other areas like that…to me, that inspires a whole new opportunity we have…to put in place even greater reforms that we think will help the people of this state,” Walker said. “To me, that’s the sort of thing that gives me a great interest in continuing to serve.”
AUDIO: Gov. Walker comments on possibility of seeking a third term (:52)
Walker also held off on announcing his short-lived presidential run until after work on the 2015 state budget was complete, although he made his intentions fairly clear in the months leading up to the launch of his campaign. The governor has struggled to regain popularity in the state since that run for president. The most recent Marquette University Law School Poll, released in early November, showed his approval rating at just 42 percent among registered Wisconsin voters – with a disapproval rate of 51 percent.