BREAKING: Walker wins Wisconsin recall, CNN projects

(CNN) - In a vote with possible presidential election implications, Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin will survive a bitter recall effort, CNN projects. (Continues)

CNN also predicts Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch as the winner

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ABC:  Wisconsin voters rejected a year-long effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker and replace him with Democratic challenger Tom Barrett. ABC News projected Walker would win the race and hang onto his job one hour after polls closed.

The victory is a boon to Walker and Republicans in this key battleground state that opted for President Obama by nearly 15 percent four years ago. It may also be interpreted as a validation of Walker's confrontational efforts to curb public employee unions.