Milwaukee County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker plans to create jobs and put people back to work if he is elected governor, he said at a dinner event Saturday hosted by the Dane County Republican Party.

The event was the annual Lincoln Day Dinner, which the Dane County Republicans host to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

Former Dane County Executive Jonathan Barry introduced Walker and said he has been successful at working in a very challenging environment. During Walker’s eight years as county executive, he did not raise property taxes and lowered the number of county employees, Barry added.

“We need a good leader, we need a good management, … we also need someone that can get elected,” Barry said.

Barry added Walker has lowered the amount of debt in Milwaukee County and has proven he is capable of leading.

“I’m Scott Walker; I’m from Wauwatosa; I ride a Harley, and I want to be your next governor,” Walker said, introducing himself.

The majority of Walker’s speech focused on his work serving as county executive and why he decided to run for governor. He added his experience as an Eagle Scout has also taught him about leadership and public service.

Walker said he has been traveling and campaigning across the state recently and has become energized by all the support and crowds he has seen.

“People are scared. They’re scared about the economy, (and) they’re scared about their jobs,” Walker said. “Help is on the way. You don’t have to be scared anymore. We’re going to put this state back to work.”

As Milwaukee county executive, Walker said he cut the county’s debt and last year they had a budget surplus when the state government had the largest budget deficit in its history.

Walker said he believes in limited government, cutting government spending and protecting rights like independence and freedom.

“No place in the world is better than Wisconsin. What is failing us is our government,” Walker said. “We will make this a state we can believe in again.”

Nicholas Novak, University of Wisconsin junior and chair of Students for Scott Walker, said he feels Walker’s experience as county executive would serve him well as the next governor.

“I feel that in the last two terms the governor and Democrats in Congress had taken the state in a completely wrong direction,” Novak said. “We need someone who can turn our state around.”

Novak said he supports Walker over other Republican candidate Mark Neumann because Neumann does not have the executive experience that Walker does.

Mike Tate, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement that Walker’s policies as Milwaukee County Executive have hurt the county, especially the furlough day policy for courthouse staff.

“In another broken promise, Scott Walker gave himself a pay raise while he can’t find the money to pay the women and men who make Milwaukee County safe,” Tate said in the statement. “He’s off giving campaign speeches to avoid the dangerous budget realities he has created.”