Democrats are accusing Governor Scott Walker of abandoning a key campaign promise. While campaigning in 2010, Governor Scott Walker pledged to help the state create 250,000 jobs during his first term, a target he’s almost two-thirds shy of with just over a year-and-a-half to go. During a stop in Merrill this week, Walker called the figure a goal and he wasn’t looking to hit a “magic number.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Mike Tate calls the change in language a crass and blatantly political move, after Walker campaigned heavily on the issue. Tate says Walker stated “his term in office would be judged by his ability to meet then 250,000 jobs promise.”
AUDIO: DPW Chair Mike Tate (:17)
During a stop in Milwaukee Wednesday, Walker defended his statement, arguing he has not changed his stance on helping the private sector create jobs and that the 250,000 job mark is a “big, bold, aggressive goal.”
The governor also noted that it won’t be clear how many jobs the state added through the end of 2014 until after the election.