MADISON, Wis. (AP) — For the last few years, the most endangered species in Wisconsin appeared to be the liberal Democrat. In one election after another, unhappy voters tossed them from public office, defeating long-serving incumbents, rebuffing promising newcomers and capping it off by creating a new national conservative hero, Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

For a state that was the home of Earth Day founder Sen. Gaylord Nelson and long epitomized modern liberalism, it was quite a turnabout.