Republican Candidates Bid Walker Farewell With Praise

2 minute read

Republican presidential candidates lined up to praise Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker late Monday after he exited the race for the 2016 nomination.

Hoping to gain the backing of his supporters, donors, and staffers, they heaped plaudits on their one-time rival—in some cases just days after criticizing his record.

Read their responses below:

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio

“Scott Walker is a good man who entered the presidential race after winning three grueling campaigns in four years. I know many people are disappointed with Scott’s announcement and I respect what a difficult decision it must have been. He remains one of the best governors in the country and I have no doubt that he’ll continue the fight for conservative principles. Republicans are lucky to have Scott on our team, and I wish the best to him and his family.”

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum

“Scott Walker has been one of America’s strongest governors over the past 6 years. From taking on public employee unions to fighting for the most vulnerable, the people of Wisconsin are blessed to have a strong leader in Scott Walker at the helm. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know Governor Walker over the past several months and I wish him and his family the best. I am sure this is not the last we will hear from Governor Walker.”

Read Next: Scott Walker Ends Presidential Campaign

See Scott Walker's Life in Photos

Scott Walker at age 2.
Scott Walker at age 2.Courtesy Scott Walker Campaign
Scott Walker appears with his younger brother David and his parents Llew and Pat in this undated photo.
Scott Walker appears with his younger brother David and his parents Llew and Pat in this undated photo.Plainfield First Baptist Church
Scott Walker an in Eagle Scout in 1986.
Scott Walker as an Eagle Scout in 1986.Courtesy Scott Walker Campaign
Scott Walker Senior Year 1986Delavan Darien High School, Delavan, WISwing Choir; he is upper right
Scott Walker (upper right) in Swing Choir during his senior year at Delavan Darien High School in Delavan, Wis., 1986 Seth Poppel Yearbook Library
Scott Walker's senior portrait from Delavan Darien High School in Delavan, Wisc., 1986
Scott Walker's senior portrait from Delavan Darien High School in Delavan, Wis., 1986Seth Poppel Yearbook Library
Wisconsin Governor candidates Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, left, and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker greet each other before their final debate in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 29, 2010.
Wisconsin Governor candidates Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, left, and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker greet each other before their final debate in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 29, 2010.Andy Manis—AP
Supporters cheer as Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker enters his victory party, in Pewaukee, Wisc., on Nov, 2, 2010.
Supporters cheer as Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker enters his victory party, in Pewaukee, Wis. on Nov, 2, 2010. Jeffrey Phelps—AP
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the state Capitol Monday in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2011.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2011.Morry Gash—AP
Scott Walker dances with his wife, Tonette, at the Inaugural Ball at Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2011.
Scott Walker dances with his wife, Tonette, at the Inaugural Ball at Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis., on Jan. 3, 2011. Benny Sieu—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker signs the ceremonial bill, after the Republican-controlled House and Senate eliminated almost all collective bargaining for most public workers at the state Capitol in Madison Wis., March 11, 2011.
Wisconsin State Governor Scott Walker signs the ceremonial bill, after the Republican-controlled House and Senate eliminated almost all collective bargaining for most public workers at the state Capitol in Madison Wis., March 11, 2011. Darren Hauck—Reuters
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker presents U.S. President Barack Obama with a Milwaukee Brewers jersey upon his arrival in Milwaukee, Wis., on Feb. 15, 2012.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker presents U.S. President Barack Obama with a Milwaukee Brewers jersey upon his arrival in Milwaukee, Wis., on Feb. 15, 2012. Jason Reed—Reuters
U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney (2nd R) waves next to Governor Scott Walker (R), Representative Paul Ryan (2nd L), and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus (L) before speaking to a crowd at Monterey Mills in Janesville, Wis., June 18, 2012.
U.S. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney (2nd R) waves next to Governor Scott Walker (R), Representative Paul Ryan (2nd L), and RNC Chairman Reince Priebus (L) before speaking to a crowd at Monterey Mills in Janesville, Wis., June 18, 2012. Larry Downing—Reuters
Gov. Scott Walker, right, talks with farmer Jeff Ehrhart about drought damage to his corn crop in the background in Burlington, Wis., on July 20, 2012.
Gov. Scott Walker, right, talks with farmer Jeff Ehrhart about drought damage to his corn crop in the background in Burlington, Wis., on July 20, 2012.Scott Bauer—AP
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker attends a prayer service at the Sikh Temple in Brookfield, Wis., on August 6, 2012.
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker attends a prayer service at the Sikh Temple in Brookfield, Wis., on August 6, 2012. John Gress—Reuters
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at his election night party in West Allis, Wis., on Nov. 4, 2014
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at his election night party in West Allis, Wis., on Nov. 4, 2014 Darren Hauck—Getty
Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, MD, February 26-28, 2015
Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md. on Feb. 26, 2015.Mark Peterson—Redux for TIME

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