Wisconsin Republicans Hold On to State Senate
By AMY MERRICK
WHITEFISH BAY, Wis.—Wisconsin Republicans narrowly maintained control of the state Senate Tuesday, according to unofficial results, winning four of six recall elections in Republican-held districts.
Tuesday's results are also a victory for Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who maintains Republican majorities in both houses of the state legislature—although by the narrowest of margins in the Senate, where Republicans will have a 17-16 advantage. Democrats needed to gain three seats to flip control of the Senate but fell one short.
In a statement early Wednesday, Mr. Walker said he spoke to Republican and Democratic leaders in the state Assembly and Senate on Tuesday evening, pledging cooperation with both sides.
Wisconsin voters are coming out in droves for recall elections triggered by the state's controversial collective-bargaining bill. Six Republicans and three Democrats have been forced to run in special elections. WSJ's Jack Nicas reports.
"In the days ahead I look forward to working with legislators of all parties to grow jobs for Wisconsin and move our state forward," the governor said.
In the Milwaukee-area 8th District, where a winner wasn't declared until after midnight local time, incumbent Republican Sen. Alberta Darling defeated Democratic challenger Sandy Pasch, 54% to 46%, with 84% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results from the Associated Press.
Democrats alleged evidence of election tampering in Ms. Darling's district, without providing specifics, but the state Democratic party quickly retracted those charges.
"Though we believe that Sandy Pasch was able to battle Alberta Darling to a virtual tie, on her turf, we will not pursue questions of irregularities. Those heat-of-the-moment statements came in light of the uncertainties that arose from a recent election, known too well," state party Chairman Mike Tate said early Wednesday, less than 90 minutes after party officials made the claims, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Six Republicans and three Democrats were forced to run in special elections to keep their seats—the largest number of recalls to take place in any state at one time—after Wisconsin passed a controversial collective-bargaining law.
Two Democratic senators still face recall elections next Tuesday. A third Democrat successfully defended his seat last month.
Republicans held on in three other districts. In the 14th District, in central Wisconsin, Republican Sen. Luther Olsen defeated Democratic state Rep. Fred Clark, 52% to 48%.
In the 10th District in northwest Wisconsin, Republican Sen. Sheila Harsdorf beat Democrat Shelly Moore, 58% to 42%.
In the 2nd District in northeast Wisconsin, incumbent Sen. Robert Cowles beat Democratic challenger Nancy Nusbaum, 60% to 40%.
In the 18th District, Democrat Jessica King was declared the winner over incumbent Sen. Randy Hopper, 51% to 49%. In their 2008 contest for the Senate seat, Mr. Hopper defeated Ms. King by less than 200 votes.
Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Shilling ousted Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke in the 32nd District, 55% to 45%.
Some political groups view the recalls as a preview of the 2012 elections. The state, which has 10 electoral votes, went strongly for President Barack Obama in 2008 but swung to complete Republican control of the state legislature and governor's mansion in 2010. |
