Wisconsin GOP leaders speak at annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner in Waukesha

WAUKESHA -- Wisconsin's top Republicans were in Waukesha Friday evening, March 3rd, to attend the 67th annual "Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner."

The night was a real celebration of what the Republican Party has been able to accomplish this year followed by what the party is hoping to accomplish in the coming months and the strong tie the White house now has with the state of Wisconsin.

Top speakers of the evening were House Speaker Paul Ryan, Governor Scott Walker and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.

Speaker Ryan started his remarks by addressing the need for immigration reform and protecting the border. He explained the priority to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

"Part of repealing Obamacare is getting the states back in charge, or erring the states in charge on Medicaid. This is something that conservatives on every one of the budgets that I have written and passed said let's give Medicaid to the states in favor of federal interest -- let's let the states figure this out," said Ryan.

Meanwhile, Governor Walker's speech focused on the importance of sticking to the goals a candidate has promised to its voters.

"By standing firm, by running -- not away -- but running through it because some are tempting to run away the challenge they face is the challenge they face you've got to tell people you are doing what they said, you are doing you've got to tell them why you are doing it not just what you are doing you have to make the case. I like to say every time they give you the middle finger, you give them a thumbs up," said Walker.

Speaker Ryan also said Governor Walker is now playing a major role in repealing the Affordable Care Act.

DPW weighs in

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning issued the following statement in response to Vice President Pence’s remarks in Janesville: