Scott Walker (image from JSonline)

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Kevin Walker became Wisconsin’s 45th governor Tuesday, beating Democrat and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett by a wide margin, according to the Associated Press, which called the race at 9:57.

As part of a national surge by Republicans as voters shifted to the right with worries over the economy, deficits and the size of government, Walker won on a platform surrounding lower taxes and more jobs, promising to cut spending, bring jobs to the state and stop a federally funded passenger train from Madison to Milwaukee.

Walker is the first person elected governor from Milwaukee County in 72 years. Turning 43 Tuesday, he is the youngest Wisconsin governor-elect since 1962, when Democrat John Reynolds was elected at age 41, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

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