Wisconsin voters divided on bargaining, governor - Boston.com

Walker angered Democrats and union members last year when, shortly after taking office, he signed legislation that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees in Wisconsin. The Republican governor presented the measure as necessary to avoid wholesale layoffs, although opponents said it was simply a way of dividing public-sector unions from private unions to weaken labor’s political clout in the traditionally strong union state.
Union households made up about a third of the electorate, and 62 percent of them backed Barrett, about the same level of support he received among the group in 2010. The Democratic candidate improved on his 2010 performance among African-Americans and those with incomes below $50,000.
But that wasn’t enough to boost Barrett over Walker in the rematch of the 2010 election in which the Republican won office. Walker’s broad support among non-union voters, independents and those who decided before the final month of the contest carried him to victory.
Despite tens of millions of dollars in advertising, most voters decided on a candidate before the final ballots were even set. Exit polls found 86 percent said they decided who to vote for before May, raising questions about the impact — if any — all that money for TV advertising had on the electorate.
Walker carried those who decided early by 11 points, while those who made up their minds in the final month of the campaign broke for Barrett by 21 points.
Both candidates retained 94 percent of those who said they backed them in 2010. About 1 in 8 voters said they did not vote in 2010, and those new voters broke 53 to 45 percent for Barrett.
Walker held more solid support overall: Almost 9 in 10 Walker voters said they cast their ballots to support their candidate, while 47 percent of Barrett’s backers said their vote was more against Walker than for his challenger.

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