Democrats fall one seat short of regaining state senate
WISCONSIN VOTERS OUSTED two Republican state senators in the August 10 recall elections, one short of the number needed to put control of that house in the hands of the Democrats. Two Democratic Wisconsin state senators face recall elections next week.
The GOP recall elections came in response to Governor Walker’s attack on public worker collective bargaining rights earlier this year. When that bill came up in the senate, 14 Democratic state senators went into hiding to make a quorum impossible in an attempt to keep the bill from passing.
Despite failing to retake the senate, Democrats were calling the recalls a success. “The fact we've accomplished as much in six months as had been achieved in the 85 years since recalls were put in the Wisconsin state Constitution is a stunning rebuke to Scott Walker's extreme attacks on middle class working families," said We Are Wisconsin spokesman Kelley Steele.
WisconsinRecall.net’s Bob Menamin told Workers Independent News that he is optimistic about a planned attempt to unseat Governor Walker next year, when he becomes eligible for recall after completing his first full year in office. He called Walker’s recall “eminently doable.”
The recall elections garnered national attention as millions of dollars flowed into the state to fuel campaigns for both sides.
Democratic challenger Jennifer Shilling beat incumbent Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse), and Jessica King defeated Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac). Four other Republicans held onto their seats.
In July, Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) easily won re-election in his recall race. On August 16, two more Democratic senators, Jim Holperin (D-Conover) and Robert Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie), will face off against challengers. If they retain their seats, the Republicans will have a one-vote majority in the senate.
