Walker looking to complete college degree

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) is looking to clear what could be a hurdle to a potential 2016 presidential run: His lack of a college degree.

{mosads}Walker’s spokeswoman Laurel Patrick told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the governor is hoping to complete his degree via the University of Wisconsin-System’s online classes.

“Governor Walker would like to finish his degree through the UW FlexOption once they expand the degree offerings,” she said.

The governor attended Marquette University but left his senior year for a job with the American Red Cross.

He’s been a supporter of the online class system, and in announcing the program in 2012, he explained that life essentially got away from him and ultimately prevented him from finishing his degree.

“I kept thinking I’d go back, got married, had one kid, had another kid, next thing you know . . . you’re worrying more about paying for your kids’ college education than you are for your own,” he said.

Walker is one of a handful of prominent Republican figures named as a top potential presidential contender in 2016, and his unfinished degree could haunt him on the primary campaign trail.

Attacking an opponent’s educational credentials can backfire for a candidate, such as when Georgia Senate candidate David Perdue drew fire for dismissing former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel for only holding a high school diploma.