UPDATED Wednesday, June 6, 2012 --- 2:45 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker is receiving a hero's welcome from his cabinet in his first meeting with them after winning a historic recall election.

His cabinet gave Walker a more-than 3-minute standing ovation Wednesday as he and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch circled the table shaking hands and hugging each member.

Walker says he spoke with Democratic legislative leaders and "there's a sense people are ready to move on from this."

Walker says he is "focused like a laser beam" on creating jobs and he's not backing away from his 2010 campaign pledge to create 250,000 jobs by 2015.

He says he is thinking only about the next step and not "gloating in the victory" over Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Wednesday, June 6, 2012 --- 10:10 a.m.

OAK CREEK, Wis. (AP) -- In the wake of his historic recall win, Gov. Scott Walker says the best way to mend fences with Democrats is for lawmakers to collaborate on something everyone agrees on -- creating jobs.

Walker toured a manufacturing plant in Oak Creek Wednesday morning. He told reporters that his priorities going forward will be to help small businesses thrive and to put people back to work.

Walker says the lesson he learned from the recall experience is that voters want more time to evaluate proposed changes and to have their voices heard. He discounted talk of becoming a vice-presidential candidate. He says his friend, Congressman Paul Ryan, would be a better choice.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Wednesday, June 6, 2012 --- 7:15 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker wants to go about mending Wisconsin's political divide in an egalitarian way: over brats and beers.

On Tuesday, Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to become the nation's first governor to survive a recall election.

Now the rising Republican star is focusing his message on what lies ahead. His term runs through 2014, and he faces a bitterly divided state.

Walker says it's time "to put our differences aside and find ways to work together."

The governor planned to meet with his cabinet Wednesday and then to invite all members of the Legislature to meet as soon as next week over burgers, brats and "maybe a little bit of good Wisconsin beer."

The effort to remove Walker was only the third gubernatorial recall in U.S. history.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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UPDATED: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 --- 10:46p.m.

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says voters want leaders who "stand up and make tough decisions."

Walker spoke late Tuesday to a crowd of supporters at his campaign headquarters in Waukesha. During his remarks, the crowd erupted into chants of "Thank you, Scott!"

Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to become the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.

He says he wants to invite lawmakers to gather over burgers and brats as soon as next week to talk about ways to bridge the political divide that has gripped the state for more than a year.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 --- 10:25p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has conceded to Republican Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin's historic recall election.

Barrett addressed supporters in Milwaukee and thanked them for their dedication to his campaign and to the petitions that triggered the recall.

Barrett says Wisconsin is deeply divided, and it's up to both Republicans and Democrats to listen to one another.

He says he hopes both sides will come together.

Walker says he wants lawmakers to meet next week over burgers and brats to talk about ways to bridge the political divide.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 --- 9:50p.m.

Release from Walker Campaign Communications Director:

Waukesha, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker won Wisconsin’s historic recall election tonight, making him the first governor in United States history to survive a recall attempt.

“This is such a tremendous victory for Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Ciara Matthews, Walker campaign communications director. “Today, Wisconsin voters have told the nation they stand with Governor Walker because he stands with them.”

Following his victory over Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Governor Walker thanked the voters for their support and focused on the future.

“Bringing our state together will take some time, but I hope to start right away,” Governor Walker said. “It is time to put our differences aside and figure out ways that we can move Wisconsin forward.”

Governor Walker also spoke about his immediate plans, saying he will meet with his cabinet tomorrow to discuss job creation measures and other actions he will take to bring Wisconsin together, encourage economic growth, and continue to address education reform.

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UPDATED: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 --- 9:44p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- In his first interview since beating back a recall challenge, Gov. Scott Walker tells The Associated Press that the victory "feels good."

Walker said Tuesday that, "it's time to put our differences aside and find ways to work together to move Wisconsin forward."

Walker defeated Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett in the recall, becoming the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall election.

Walker says he plans to meet with his cabinet Wednesday. He also wants to invite members of the Legislature to gather over burgers and brats as soon as next week to talk about ways to bridge the political divide that has gripped the state for more than a year.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 --- 9:10p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has survived a recall election, defeating the Democratic mayor of Milwaukee to keep the state's top political job.

Walker becomes the first governor in American history to stay in office after a recall challenge.

The Republican governor rose to national prominence last year after taking on public-sector unions shortly after being sworn in. That fight also triggered the recall and set up a rematch with Tom Barrett, who was defeated by Walker in 2010.

Walker argued his policies were necessary to confront the state's budget problems.

The loss is a blow to Democrats and to unions that spent millions to oust Walker.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.