Voters in the U.S. state of Wisconsin have decided NOT to kick out their governor, Scott Walker, local media is reporting.

The republican incumbent was running against democrat Tom Barrett in an election that was widely seen as barometer of how the country will vote in presidential elections this November.

A recall election was called for by union workers who oppose a law that Walker enacted to restrict their collective bargaining power, including making them pay more for health insurance and pensions, and limiting their pay raises.

Walker says the changes were necessary to close a state budget deficit.

This only the third recall election of a governor in U.S. history and it follows weeks of vociferous protests by demonstrators who occupied the state Capitol.

Julie Noce, Reuters