Just hours removed from a historic win in Tuesday night's recall election, Gov. Scott Walker called for unity so the state could focus on creating more jobs in a still-struggling economy.
"Jobs aren't Republican jobs, they're not Democratic jobs, they're just Wisconsin jobs," Walker told an audience of about 100 at Steelwinds Industries, 7550 S. 10th St., in Oak Creek.
"Today is the first day of a takeoff in terms of jobs and growth and prosperity in Wisconsin."
He said most employers already felt the state was heading in the right direction. However, businesses had been leery of coming to the state or expanding here in the face of the recall, Walker said.
With June 5 now in the rear-view mirror, the state can move forward and be a "partner" for companies looking to grow, Walker said.
Standing in front of a large American flag, the now-twice-elected governor also said he planned to meet with all 132 members of the Wisconsin Legislature over some brats, burgers and "some Wisconsin beer as well" to find common ground.
"There's no better thing to talk about than jobs," Walker said.
He appeared in Oak Creek on just a few hours sleep following a late Election Night and an early-morning wake-up for media interviews.
"I don't have much of a voice left," he said at the beginning of the speech, which lasted about 10 minutes.
Walker later toured the Steelwind Industries facility. Steelwind, a family-owned metal-processing business, moved to the Northbranch Industrial Park in Oak Creek in 1996.
Company Vice President Jason Geiger introduced Walker, saying Steelwind jumped at the chance to host the governor's post-election visit. He hailed Walker's win as good for businesses, sportsmen and taxpayers alike.
Later Wednesday, Walker was scheduled to meet with members of his cabinet.
Patch will update this story throughout the morning.
See other recall election coverage:
- Historic Recall Sees High Voter Turnout
- on Walker Recall Win
- Another Uneventful Election Night in Waukesha County
- Wisconsin Recall Elections
- Election Protection Hotline Keeping Busy with
- in Milwaukee Suburbs
