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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has survived a recall election, defeating the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee to keep the state's top political job.
Walker becomes the first governor in American history to stay in office after a recall challenge.
The Republican governor rose to national prominence last year after taking on public-sector unions shortly after being sworn in. That fight also triggered the recall and set up a rematch with Tom Barrett, who was defeated by Walker in 2010.
Walker argued his policies were necessary to confront the state's budget problems.
The loss is a blow to Democrats and to unions that spent millions to oust Walker.
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