MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Republican Governor Scott Walker has survived a recall election.

On Tuesday, the incumbent Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in a rematch of the November 2010 election which put Walker in office.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Walker garnered 54 percent of the vote compared with Barrett's 46 percent. Independent candidate Hari Trivedi got one percent of the vote.

The attempted recall of Governor Walker generated intense national interest and huge amounts of campaign cash, much of it from outside the state. 

During his victory speech in Waukesha, Walker thanked supporters and said voters want leaders who, "stand up and make tough decisions." 

Sounding a conciliatory note, Walker said it is now time to "move on and move forward."  He noted that the "election is over; it's time to move Wisconsin forward."

The recall was prompted by Walker's aggressive efforts to curb collective bargaining rights among public sector unions. 

Many political analysts viewed the Wisconsin recall as a possible preview of November's presidential election between President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.