Scott Walker touts Rebecca Kleefisch governor run in 2022: 'I think she would win, and I think she'd be a hell of a great governor.'

Bill Glauber | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Show Caption Hide Caption Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at a Milwaukee Press Club luncheon, full speech Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is guest speaker at a Milwaukee Press Club luncheon sponsored by the Milwaukee Press Club and WisPolitics.com.

Former Gov. Scott Walker has been out of office for less than a year, but he already has a good idea on which Republican he'd like to see run for the post in 2022.

"I personally hope Rebecca Kleefisch runs for governor," Walker said Tuesday, touting the woman who served as his lieutenant governor for eight years.

"I think she would win, and I think she'd be a hell of a great governor," Walker told the Milwaukee Press Club.

Kleefisch is currently working as a "jobs ambassador" for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is serving his first term. Walker declined to critique the governor, although he said there was a need for better communication in Madison.

A source close to Kleefisch said she isn't making any announcement about running for governor.

"But it's incredibly flattering to have someone who worked so closely with her say such encouraging things," the source said.

RELATED: As Republicans privately look ahead to 2020, Chris Kapenga acknowledges considering run for governor

Walker also said he promised to work four years for the Young America's Foundation, where he takes over as president in 2021.

That means Walker wouldn't consider running for office again until 2025.

"I'm 22 years younger than the president," Walker said, comparing his age to President Donald Trump. "I definitely have time."

During his appearance, Walker reflected on his governorship and the state of politics. He also talked up issues he is now associated with.

Walker is leading a group that is campaigning for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. He is also finance chair for a Republican group preparing for redistricting after the 2020 Census.

"Some days I feel like I'm an independent insurance agent, I can offer a card for whatever you need," Walker said.

He was also enthusiastic about the Foxconn Technology Group project he helped lure to the state with $4 billion in state and local incentives. He said shortly before Thanksgiving he visited the firm's site in Mount Pleasant and also had a recent conversation with Terry Gou, Foxconn's founder.

"I think by late spring, early summer, they're going to be ready to fill up a number of those buildings," he said, adding he remained optimistic that the firm would help "transform the state's economy."

Walker and his wife, Tonette, live in Milwaukee near their two sons, Matt and Alex.

Walker said he saw "a lot of similarities" between his successful effort to beat back a recall in 2012 to the current impeachment inquiry against Trump.

"Does the opposing party actually have a plan or is their whole focus just an impeachment," he said. "I think that'll backfire. And I think in the end that makes it more probable that the president gets re-elected."

Walker urged Trump to come to Wisconsin often and to focus on families who have bettered their lives during his first term.

"I think that's the most compelling argument for this president and his re-election is to show real people who have seen a real change and real improvement in their lives," he said.

Walker said that if U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont got the Democratic presidential nomination he would pose the biggest challenge to Trump in Wisconsin.

"He's authentic," Walker said of Sanders. "His ideas are way off the deep end. I don't support him. But he's authentic."

Walker recalled meeting one voter at a Kohl's department store and discovering the man had cast votes for Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary and Trump in the general election. And the voter also supported Walker.

As for former Vice President Joe Biden's chances, Walker called him, "Hillary Clinton 2.0."

Clinton lost Wisconsin in 2016 and lost the presidential election.