WisPolitics.com Election Blog

The Government Accountability Board announced Friday it has finished scanning all recall petitions filed against Gov. Scott Walker and delivered them to the governor's campaign.

Board staff is just beginning the process of reviewing the signatures, but said copies of the petitions will be posted at the GAB website Monday.

The GAB also said it expects to finish scanning pages submitted against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch next week.

-- By Staff

A Dane County judge this morning granted requests from the GAB and recall targets for additional time to review petitions filed last week.

Judge Richard Niess agreed to give the GAB 61 days for its review, an extension of 30 days.

He also gave Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch 30 days, an extension of 20 days, and gave the four GOP senators facing recall 20 days, an extension of 10 days.

Niess said the parties can return to court and ask for additional time. But he denied a request to schedule a hearing now on that possibility.

-- By Jason Smathers

Twenty-six donors combined to give Gov. Scott Walker more than $2 million over a five-week period, according to a check of his campaign finance reports.

Walker’s campaign stressed he collected 21,443 contributions between Dec. 11 and Jan. 17 with 16,406 of them contributing $50 or less.

Still, 45 percent of the $4.5 million Walker collected during the two reporting periods filed yesterday came from those giving $25,000 or more. Most of his top donors also hailed from outside Wisconsin, according to a WisPolitics.com review.

That includes four individual donations of $250,000 each from: Sarah Atkins, a quality consultant with TAMKO Building Products in Joplin, Mo.; Davis Humphreys, president of TAMKO; Stanley Herzog, chair and CEO of Herzog Contracting Corp. in St. Joseph, Mo., which does asphalt paving and other construction; and Bob Perry, owner of Perry Homes in Houston, Texas.

Perry, one of the major donors to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in the 2004 presidential campaign, gave Walker $240,000 in a previous reporting period.

Walker is still in a period when donors can exceed the normal $10,000 contribution limit for individuals and $43,128 from PACs in a guv’s race.

-- By Staff

Gov. Scott Walker raised just more than $4.5 million in a little more than five weeks, according to cover sheets his campaign released this evening.

The campaign released a statement late this afternoon with totals from one of the reports that are due today.

The cover sheets, which together cover Dec. 11 through Jan. 17, show that in addition to raising just more than $4.5 million, he spent almost $4.9 million. He had just less than $2.7 million in his campaign account at the end of the last reporting period.

-- By Staff

Gov. Scott Walker's campaign today reported raising more than $2.5 million in the the most recent reporting period and had $2.6 million cash on hand.

Recall targets had two reports due today, one covering campaign finance activity between Dec. 11 and the end of the year, and another for activity between Jan. 1 and Jan. 17.

Walker's campaign said numbers from the December report were not immediately available, but would be submitted to the GAB later today. The reports are due at midnight.

UPDATE: This post was corrected to reflect the numbers were from the January period.

-- By Staff

The Government Accountability Board today filed for an extension of at least 60 days to review recall petitions, with the possibility of more time being added.

Dane County Judge Richard Niess has scheduled a hearing on the matter for Wednesday at 9 a.m.

The GAB has also posted more than 18,000 pages of recall petitions filed against four incumbent state senators.

See the files

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The four GOP state senators targeted for recall each will report a six-figure warchest on their upcoming campaign finance reports, a Senate Republican spokesman said.

Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is expected to report about $370,000 cash on hand, followed by Pam Galloway with $134,000, Terry Moulton with $118,000 and Van Wanggaard with $112,000.

The spokesman said all of the figures were rounded to the nearest thousand-dollar mark. The amounts raised during the most recent reporting period would not be available until the reports are filed with the GAB. The deadline to file the reports is Monday.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin posted on her Facebook page this morning that she raised $1.1 million during the fourth quarter for her Senate bid.

Baldwin will report $1.8 million cash on hand in the report due later this month and touted more than 16,000 individual donors during the three-month period.

See Baldwin's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/tammybaldwin

Labels: 2012_Congress

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann raised $518,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011 in his bid for the U.S. Senate, his campaign told WisPolitics.com.

The campaign said the three-month total pushed his total raised since getting into the raise to $820,000 from 7,460 donors. None of the money came from Neumann, who self funded his 2010 guv campaign.

“People support me because I’m the most conservative candidate in the race. I’m honored that thousands of people have contributed to my campaign,” Neumann said in a statement to WisPoiltics. “I’ve won five straw polls and have collected thousands in small dollar donations because I’m a conservative with a plan to balance the budget and repeal ObamaCare. And people have responded.”

The campaign said 92 percent of the contributions in the fourth quarter were $100 or less.

Campaign finance reports in the race are due later this month.

Labels: 2012_Congress

Former Dane County Exec Kathleen Falk announced today in an email to supporters that she will run for governor in a recall election against Scott Walker.

In her email, Falk wrote, “As your Governor, I will make different choices than Scott Walker. I know Wisconsin is a place where we can have good paying jobs…a clean environment…successful schools affordable health care. We can have workers and management talking and working together to solve tough problems. I know we can, because I did it for more than a decade as a chief executive and I know we can do it again. The people of Wisconsin have done a brave thing: demanded change. And together we will continue to make history.”

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The field of possible challengers to the four GOP state senators facing recall is taking shape.

Former Dem Sen. John Lehman, who lost to Van Wanggaard in 2010, said he’s still weighing a rematch.

Lehman, D-Racine, said he has been waiting to see whether recall organizers would turn in enough signatures and would likely make a decision within the next week or two.

“I am seriously considering running against Wanggaard, and I will have to make a decision shortly because of the unlimited finances on the other side,” he said. “We need to work as long and hard a possible.”

State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate in the race.

Lori Compas, who chaired the effort to recall Scott Fitzgerald, said she wasn’t thinking about a possible bid against him, but “If no other suitable candidate can be found, I guess I would be open to it."

Meanwhile, Marathon County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Johnson announced late last week he planned to challenge Pam Galloway, while former state Rep. Kristen Dexter of Eau Claire has been mentioned as a possible challenger for Terry Moulton.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Gov. Scott Walker, in New York today on a fundraising trip, said he looks “forward to talking to the people of Wisconsin about my continued promises to control government spending, balance the budget, and hold the line on taxes.”

"In my first year in office, we did just that by eliminating a $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes; all while the state added thousands of new jobs," Walker said in a statement. "Instead of going back to the days of billion dollar budget deficits, double digit tax increases and record job loss, I expect Wisconsin voters will stand with me and keep moving Wisconsin forward.”

Recall targets Scott Fitzgerald, Pam Galloway and Van Wanggaard also issued statements in response to the filings against them.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy said this afternoon said the agency is unsure how long it will need to finish its review of recall petitions.

Under state law, the GAB has 31 days to review a recall petition, but can seek more time. Kennedy told reporters during a briefing that he expects to go to Dane County circuit court "soon" to request an extension, but said he didn't know when that would be or how long the agency would seek in an extension.

"We're not even sure if we'll give an exact time," Kennedy said of the planned request for an extension.

He said GAB staff began scanning petitions this afternoon utilizing new software purchased after a Waukesha County judge ordered the GAB to strike faulty signatures. Previously, that burden fell to the campaign challenged by the recall effort.

Kennedy said he expected the agency to finish scanning the petitions by the end of the week.

The agency had sought 50 temporary workers to help in the review, but Kennedy said it had 30 on board as of today. The prohibition against hiring temp workers who had signed the recall petitions was a limiting factor in getting temp workers from the Madison area, he said.

Nevertheless, he said he is "confident that we have the people and equipment in place to get the job done."

The petition review process will take place at a state-owned facility in Madison, but the specific location will not be disclosed at the request of law enforcement. Kennedy said a webcast of the process would be available through the GAB's website and that the database of names on the petition would be made available to the public.

Once the scanning is done, Kennedy said two workers would check every petition, and that any suspicious signatures found would then be reviewed by the GAB's permanent staff. All challenged signatures would face a vote before the six-member GAB when the board decides on certification of the elections.

Kennedy said the board is committed to reviewing the petitions as efficiently as possible, but said there's no precedent for certifying an election without reviewing each signature. He said that issue, among others, could ultimately be resolved in court.

Recall organizers submitted more than 1 million signatures for the governor, while just 540,208 valid signatures are needed to trigger a recall in that office.

"We have no dog in this fight. Our job is to do our job," Kennedy said. "That's how we're approaching this, and we do it within the resources that we have."

Listen to the press conference here.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Recall organizers said they collected more than 1 million signatures to recall Gov. Scott Walker and urged the GAB to quickly certify an election.

State Dem Chair Mike Tate said the party would oppose any efforts by the Government Accountability Board to unnecessarily delay certifying an election. He also suggested the agency should certify an election once it counts the 540,208 valid signatures needed and could then finish going through the rest later.

“We clearly believe there is no challenge, legal or otherwise, that would prevent the recalls from going forward,” Tate said.

Tate said the party did not have exact numbers because signatures continued to roll in this morning. But he said in addition to the more than 1 million against Walker, recall organizers had more than 845,000 against Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, more than 21,000 against state Sen. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls, more than 21,000 against state Sen. Pam Galloway of Wausau and more than 24,000 against Van Wanggaard of Racine.

Tate said recall organizers checked petitions in an attempt to strike duplicative or fraudulent signatures. He said he did not have a number on how many were pulled from the petitions, saying some of the inappropriate signatures were caught in the field before the petitions were turned in.

Still, he said he expected some problematic signatures would be found and called for the prosecution of anyone who fraudulently signed the petitions.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The Committee to Recall Scott Fitzgerald this morning filed 20,600 signatures against the Senate majority leader with the Government Accountability Board.

Committee chairwoman Lori Compas and dozens of volunteers convened on the steps of the GAB office building before bringing the more than 3,900 pages upstairs.

"We're proud of our accomplishment," Compas said. "This has been serious, difficult work."

She said she was confident all along that the group would reach the 16,742 signatures required to trigger an election against Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, but added that she worried about the margin over that threshold. She called the signature level turned in this morning "comfortable."

Compas said she wasn't thinking about a possible bid in the 13th Senate District, but said, "If no other suitable candidate can be found, I guess I would be open to it."

In a statement, Fitzgerald responded he would "embrace the opportunity to run on my record and the accomplishments Senate Republicans have made over the past year."

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in such a short time, and I welcome a challenge from a Democrat opponent who would only seek to return us to an unsustainable path of big spending, huge tax increases, and taxpayer‐funded favors to unions and left-wing special interests,” Fitzgerald said.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett had the edge in a potential Dem primary for guv in a new survey out this morning from the Dem firm Public Policy Polling.

The survey included head-to-head matchups with Kathleen Falk and Dave Obey, finding Barrett led the former Dane County exec among those polled 46 percent to 27 percent and was up on the former longtime U.S. representative 42-30.

In a hypothetical four-way contest with state Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville included, Barrett was backed by 26 percent of those surveyed, compared to 22 percent for Falk, 21 percent for Obey and 11 percent for Cullen.

The poll of 522 likely Dem primary voters was conducted yesterday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. PPP said 30 percent of those who said they were likely to vote in the primary identified themselves as independents, while 11 percent said they were Republicans.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Organizers of the effort to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald announced this morning that they've surpassed the number of signatures required to trigger an election in the 13th Senate District.

Committee chairwoman Lori Compas said at a Capitol press conference that volunteers have collected at least 16,742 signatures, but declined to provide a current total. The committee will file the petitions Tuesday, along with expected recall efforts against the governor, lieutenant governor and three additional GOP senators.

Fitzgerald, who did not immediately return a call seeking comment, filed a complaint yesterday with the Government Accountability Board arguing the agency had given his opponents a longer window to collect recall signatures than allowed under state law.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald opened up a new legal front against the recalls, filing a complaint today over the window in which opponents were allowed to gather signatures.

Fitzgerald alleged in his complaint that the GAB incorrectly set a 61-day, rather than 60-day, window for recall petitioners to gather signatures.

Fitzgerald said that GAB Director Kevin Kennedy told him that Nov. 15, when the Fitzgerald recall committee submitted their paperwork, was "day zero" and that the count started on the next day. Because of that, the recall committee has until Saturday to gather signatures, a 61-day window. The committee has until Tuesday to turn in the signatures because the GAB is closed for the weekend and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday.

Read the complaint

The GAB released a memo this afternoon from the Department of Justice that says the recall window for those who filed Nov. 15 ends Saturday and the petitions must be turned in by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Read the memo

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The GAB today laid out its plans to scan recall petitions to check for duplicate signatures and officials said the agency's will have to take longer than the 60 days originally projected.

Republicans said they were encouraged by the GAB's decision to create a database to check recall petitions for duplicate signatures, while Dems raised concerns that it would slow down the process.

See the WisPolitics story

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The state Dem Party today laid out its plans for turning in recall petitions to the GAB on Tuesday.

The party plans briefings Tuesday afternoon for the media before turning in signatures at 3 p.m. The party says it plans to turn in signatures for the recall of Gov. Scott Walker plus three Republican senators: Terry Moulton, Pam Galloway, and Van Wangaard.

Julie Wells, who delivered the recall filing to the GAB in November, will be part of the group that turns in to the agency the scores of boxes from a truck Dems are dubbing the "Forward Flyer."

After turning in the signatures at 3 p.m., the Dems plan a victory party at the Monona Terrace from 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The committees to recall Scott Walker and three GOP state senators today again asked an appeals court to stay the guv's lawsuit against the GAB over checking signatures on recall petitions.

A Waukesha County judge last week ordered the GAB to do a more thorough check of the petitions after rejecting a request from the recall committees to be involved in the suit.

The committees appealed the latter decision to the 4th District, which has set an expedited briefing schedule for the appeal. But they asked the court a second time for an emergency stay that would put off implementation of the judge's order, noting that recall petitions are due Tuesday. The motion argues the petitions should be treated the same as others before it in which the responsibility for challenging signatures fell to the target of the recall.

Read the filing

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Former Dane Co. Exec. Kathleen Falk says she’s aiming to make a decision within the next few weeks on whether to run in a likely recall against Gov. Scott Walker, expressing confidence a Dem can win the election.

“A lot of people around the state are urging me to run,” Falk said on Sunday’s “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” a statewide television newsmagazine produced in conjunction with WisPolitics.com.

Sen. Tim Cullen has announced he will run, and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is considering another shot at Walker. Asked about the potential of a primary, Falk said it’s a part of democracy.

“We’re all friends, and the bottom line is I believe we can and will beat Governor Walker,” Falk said.

See the full WisPolitics story

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Waukesha County Judge J. Mac Davis ruled Thursday that the Government Accountability Board must take reasonable, affirmative steps to identify and strike duplicate, fictitious or unverifiable signaturees from recall petitions.

Davis did not specify what those steps must be, but said, "with respect to money and resources, the Government Accountability Board has some, and apparently applied for more out of their usual course of business for this recall -- they're obligated to use what they have."

Earlier, GAB Director Kevin Kennedy testified that the agency has investigated the cost of computer technology to possibly scan pages and compare signatures, but said it would cost more than $95,000 for the equipment and personnel. He estimated it would take 50 people working 40 hours a week for eight weeks.

See the WisPolitics story

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

A federal court Tuesday again ruled that former GOP state Rep. Joe Handrick must give a deposition on his role in the redistricting maps Republican lawmakers drew this summer and scolded the Legislature's attorneys for "sandbagging."

The three-judge panel in Milwaukee ruled twice last month that neither Handrick, hired as a consultant on the redistricting process, nor documents in his possession are privileged and off limits to the Dems who sued over the maps Republicans crafted. In Tuesday's order, the court rejected a third attempt by the Legislature's attorneys to have Handrick and his documents declared privileged.

The sharply worded decision also accused the Legislature's lawyers of trying to "obfuscate the true facts" of Handrick's involvement in the process by changing details about his work in each of the filings "while at the same time suggesting that the Court based its prior decisions on erroneous or incomplete law and facts."

See the order

See the WisPolitics story

Labels: redistricting

The guv’s campaign released a new TV ad this morning in which he says he lived up to his campaign promises to rein in spending, eliminate the deficit and hold the line on taxes.

The spot begins with Scott Walker talking over footage of him at rallies and speaking with workers. He touts fixing a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes and says “we saved the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and kept thousands of teachers, firefighters and police officers on the job” because government workers are now contributing to their health care and pension costs.

See the spot in AdWatch:
http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Content=24

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

In the first campaign finance report since the beginning of the effort to recall him, Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign says he collected contributions from 46,976 individual donors, with 37,356 of them giving $50 or less.

Walker’s campaign released the cover sheet from his fundraising report, showing he raised $5.1 million, spent almost $4 million and had $3 million in the bank.

Walker raised almost $11.1 million for the entire 2010 election cycle.

The release does not include the full report, which is due by the end of the day and will give the first look at how he has raised money since the effort to recall him began. Under state law, Walker can raise money in unlimited contributions while the recall papers are circulated against him.

“We have seen an outpouring of support for the governor and the steps he has taken during his first year in office to lay the foundation for a more successful Wisconsin,” Walker spokeswoman Ciara Matthews said. “Wisconsin voters are readily contributing to our campaign to help us fight back against the baseless recall efforts lead by big-government union bosses. Governor Walker is proud that more than 37,000 donors contributing $50 or less will allow him to travel the state of Wisconsin to listen to business owners and taxpayers share their stories of how his reforms have put state government back on their side.”

State Dem Chair Mike Tate said he was not fazed by Walker’s fundraising report.

“We have always know that Scott Walker was going to have all the money in the world at his disposal because he’s done so many favors for all these different corporate benefactors and insiders and people of favor,” Tate said. “We’re not worried about being outspent in this race. We expect it to happen, and I believe the voice of the people will outweigh the milions of dollars Scott Walker will raise in this campaign.”

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Government Accountability Board Director Kevin Kennedy told an audience at a Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon today that the current political season is supported by the letter ‘R.’

“Its been a long time since I’ve had kids watching Sesame Street, but I can tell you that this political season is brought to you by the letter ‘R’,“ Kennedy said. “That would be ‘R’ for recall, recount, redistricting, requirements for voter identification, reducing the hours for absentee voting, and writing your name on the polls.”

He could have added referee, for his own agency’s role in the process. Kennedy talked about how the board seeks to gain credibility through transparency and making people aware of its decisions.

“When you’re caught in the middle, when your job is to be the referee, you’re not going to win a lot of fans except through your performance over a period of time.”

Kennedy credited the state’s non-partisan model with giving the board credibility compared to other states where elections are handled by partisan election officials.

“Without that non-partisan tradition, what credibility would I have?” he said.

Kennedy’s appearance came amid complaints from conservatives over the agency's plans for handling fictitious signatures on recall petitions. Kennedy said the GAB's job is to flag things on recall petitions that don’t appear to be true. But, he added, "we’re not going behind the signatures.”

“Our agency is supposed to do a facial examination with the presumption of what you see in front of you is true, so we flag things that don’t look true,” Kennedy said

He also stressed the role recall circulators play in removing duplicate or fictitious names.

“If they’re doing their job -- and I will grant you that not everyone is as diligent as you would expect -- they’re signing a statement saying, 'I personally obtained these and I know who signed this signature,'" Kennedy said. "So they’re probably going to take care of, first of all, a lot of the fictitious names.”

“If we get a petition that has seven Disney characters on it, or the Dallas Cowboys, or famous quarterbacks in the NFL,” Kennedy said. “We’re going to be focusing on the circulator and how they have lied and violated the law."

But Kennedy also acknowledged that some will always try to cheat and said that things such as the new voter ID law can increase public confidence in the system.

“We’re seeing that its not really happening,” Kennedy said. “But if the public thinks it can happen, then I think that’s a good basis for addressing it.”

Kennedy said he didn’t think lawsuits over the voter ID law would be resolved by the primaries in February for spring elections, adding that it would take the courts to put the measure on hold.

He also said that with potential recall elections, two rounds of spring elections, and another primary in August, his agency will be able to prepare for having the law in place for the higher turnout in the November presidential election.

Kennedy also told the audience that the GAB’s role is to help people “cut through some of the bureaucracy.” He said he has a two-sided flow chart on how to get a driver's license.

“I think our challenge is, really, how do we get to that last group of people, to ensure that they have that opportunity?” Kennedy said.

He recalled an instance where he was observing at a polling station and a man came up to him asking for help sorting through documents the man had so that he could vote.

“What he did is, everything that connected him to society was in a sock, and he dumped it out in front of him and said, ‘Is there any thing here that I can use?’”

Kennedy called it "a very powerful experience" that he said would surprise many people.

“They don’t recognize that there are many people in society that are going to need that extra help.”

-- By Arthur Thomas, for WisPolitics.com

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The Government Accountability Board today voted to accept recommended security procedures for reviewing recall petitions that will likely be submitted early next year.

The board expects to go to court once the petitions are officially filed, saying it'll likely need 60 days instead of the currently allowed 31 days to review some 1.5 million signatures. The signatures likely will result from recall efforts against the guv, lt. guv and and up to four GOP state senators.

Signatures would be reviewed at an alternate location with the help of up to 50 temporary staff members. Access both in and out of the location would be limited, petitions would be accounted for with a chain of custody log, and permanent GAB staff would be present during verification, according to today's presentation by elections specialist David Buerger.

Buerger said GAB staff will also discuss the need for security outside the facility and the possibility of video surveillance or webcasting of the review process.

Board members expressed concern about the possibility of "concealed zealots" applying to serve as temporary recall reviewers. But Buerger said the workers wouldn't include anyone who signed a recall petition and that he believes staff could identify potential problem applicants through the interview process.

Buerger added that the board would take note of unusual signatures found during the recall review process, but wouldn't strike them from petitions unless they are otherwise found to be insufficient.

GAB staff said that could include names such as "Mickey Mouse" and "Adolf Hitler" found during the 2011 recall process if the signatures include a valid Wisconsin address. Buerger said state law places the burden on the challenging party to object to those signatures.

Buerger noted that a Hitler signature was struck earlier this year because the residence given -- "Berlin, Germany" -- was outside the appropriate state Senate district.

Conservatives are complaining the GAB procedures tilt against Gov. Scott Walker, because there won't be much time to find bad signatures. In the meantime, some conservative groups are pledging to hunt for invalid signatures.

Walker's campaign and the state GOP this morning announced a joint effort to verify signatures.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The two groups who will not be charged for their activities in this summer's recall elections hailed today's announcement.

Janet Veum, a spokeswoman for Wisconsin Jobs Now, said she had not seen the decision but her group stands by its summer efforts to bring out the vote.

“We were encouraging people to participate in democracy,” said Veum. “We were celebrating our right to vote and we will continue to do that.”

Barbara Lyons, executive director for Wisconsin Right to Life, said she expected her organization to be vindicated because it had done nothing wrong.

“Our concern going forward is future unfounded complaints against Wisconsin Right to Life or other citizen groups. If the prosecutor had decided in favor of the complainants, ordinary campaigning, such as paying a television station to run ads, would have been outlawed,” Lyons said. “Wisconsin Right to Life is relieved that complainants’ extreme interpretation of the law has been rejected.”

-- By Marie Rohde
For WisPolitics.com

Labels: 2011 recall elections

No charges will be brought against two groups that were accused of election law violations in the run-up to the August recall election of Sen. Alberta Darling, according to a statement released this morning.

“It is unclear, at best, whether an offer to pay persons to gathers absentee ballot applications on a quota basis comes within the scope of the Election Bribery statute,” wrote Asst. Dist. Atty. Bruce Landgraf, the lead prosecutor on the case for Milwaukee County. “The statute as currently written does not give much guidance to those who wish to follow the dictates of the law, especially in the area of absentee voting.”

Wisconsin Right to Life gave campaign workers $25 gift cards for every 15 voters sympathetic to the anti-abortion cause that were enlisted for absentee voting.

Wisconsin Jobs Now, a community and labor group, held five block parties on the northwest side of Milwaukee. They provided food, prizes and a lift to Milwaukee City Hall where voters could cast absentee ballots.

In a 14-page letter to Milwaukee County Judge Kevin Martens, Landgraf said he was influenced by the fact that both groups were acting in good faith to maximize voter participation.

“Put another way, there was no evidence that these groups were acting in bad faith or with motives suggesting any form of corruption,” he wrote.

-- By Marie Rohde
For WisPolitics.com

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Groups seeking to recall GOP state Sens. Pam Galloway of Wausau, Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Van Wanggaard of Racine have filed papers with the Government Accountability Board, an agency spokesman said.

The spokesman also said the agency had been contacted by a group seeking to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and expected a filing later today.

Meanwhile, members of the Walker recall effort held an early morning rally with former Dane Co. Executive Kathleen Falk and Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell to kick off the recall drive.

"The day has come," said Falk. "The moment is now firestorm that Gov. Walker ignited since January has led to restored faith in Wisconsin."

The participants marched from their East Wilson offices to the GAB to turn in paper copies of their filing.
-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Gov. Scott Walker's campaign is planning to begin airing a TV ad tonight during the Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.

The ad features a mother and current school board member who describes what she sees as the positive results of Walker's budget reforms.

The ad closes with these words from Walker: "I'm committed to working together to create more jobs, to improve our schools, and to protect our seniors. You know, Wisconsin's best days are yet to come. It won't happen overnight, but we are on our way."

Read the press release

---

AD SCRIPT

Karin, Mother and School Board Member:

We were worried when the state budget meant there was going to be less money for our school district, and we have 25 schools.

But Governor Walker – he gave us options that reduced our biggest costs so that we could put more money back into our classrooms.

Governor Walker:

"I'm committed to working together to create more jobs, to improve our schools, and to protect our seniors. You know, Wisconsin's best days are yet to come. It won't happen overnight, but we are on our way."

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

With the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker set to officially kick off at midnight, some recall supporters will gather throughout the state hoping to be among the first to sign recall petitions in just a few hours.

Organizers are set to electronically file recall papers against Walker with the Government Accountability Board tonight. An agency spokesman said the papers would show up on the GAB's campaign finance database once an official hard copy of the registration is submitted to the board.

United Wisconsin -- the group charged with organizing the recall effort -- is hosting its kickoff event at Hawk's Pub & Grill on State Street in downtown Madison starting at 9:30 p.m., while the Dem Party will host other gatherings in the capital city at its east and west side recall offices closer to midnight.

The party says midnight signing events are also set for Milwaukee, West Allis, Elkhorn, Beaver Dam, La Crosse, Eau Claire and Wausau. Recall rallies have also been scheduled for tomorrow in Milwaukee, La Crosse and Stevens Point.

In addition, the state Dem Party today announced the names of nine individuals who'll be the first to sign recall papers after winning the party's "First to Sign" contest.

See details of tonight's recall events and tomorrow's rallies

Meanwhile the state GOP announced the launch of its "Recall Integrity Center" website, a clearinghouse for reporting "fraudulent activity in your community."

"Voters can submit videos, recordings, photos and incident reports, which will be investigated by RPW staff and retired law enforcement and FBI agents, to ensure that any Democrats who attempt to use any type of fraud in order to meet the required number of signatures by law will be held accountable for their actions," Executive Director Stephan Thompson said.

Dems charged that the website represents "an effort to intimidate petition circulators and signers and frighten them away from exercising their constitutional right to exercise the recall tool."

"Given the dirty tricks and deception that have become the hallmark of Scott Walker's political machine, it comes as no shock that his Republican Party has devised a scheme to wreak havoc and sow confusion as Wisconsin begins a recall that will hold him accountable," responded DPW Chairman Mike Tate.

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Gov. Scott Walker said he didn't take advantage of the early period for unlimited fundraising triggered more than a week ago and was waiting until tomorrow to start his official push against the recalls.

A early recall filing from "Close Friends to Recall Walker" allowed Walker to begin raising unlimited dollars prior to the official Nov. 15 start planned by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

"I've made it clear our focus is on the 15th," Walker said in a press conference. "We haven't done anything in response to the early recall paperwork."

Walker said two out-of-state speeches he gave recently were both to non-profit organizations and were not fundraising events. One was given at the Goldwater Institute in Arizona and the other was given to the Young America's Foundation at the Reagan Ranch in California.

Walker said he remained focused on his job creation pledge.

"My numbers are no different than President Obama's, just obviously the other way around," Walker said. "The bottom line, there are going to be some people out there who want to reverse the course of the last election. All I can do is stay focused on doing what I said I'd do."

-- By Jason Smathers

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says running "protest" Dem candidates in GOP-held Senate districts subject to recall elections next year is an option.

But the Juneau Republican says he hasn't talked to any potential candidates for those bids and said Republican Senate campaigns are still waiting to see who walks into the GAB offices tomorrow to file recall papers.

"I don't think you can take anything off the table when it comes to recalls, period," Fitzgerald told WisPolitics today.

Republicans ran candidates during this summer's round of recall elections. Those candidates forced primary elections in six districts, giving GOP incumbents four more weeks to build their campaigns.

But Fitzgerald said this time around, he's not sure what Dems have up their sleeve and that decisions would be "fluid" depending on who files tomorrow.

Fitzgerald said that could include filing recall papers against incumbents in Dem-held seats.

"That's on the table absolutely," Fitzgerald said.

A group advocating Fitzgerald's recall says it intends to post its recall petitions on its website at 12:01 a.m.

Fitzgerald says he'll highlight his constituent work to oppose the recall.

The Dem Party also expects petitions to be filed to recall Sens. Pam Galloway of Wausau, Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls and Van Wanggaard of Racine.

See the Fitzgerald recall website

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The Government Accountability Board this afternoon unanimously voted in favor of a resolution stipulating that new legislative boundaries would not apply to recall or special elections held before next fall's election cycle.

The vote affirms the position of GAB staff set forth in a memo last month.

GAB Director Kevin Kennedy said the use of the new boundaries in the spring election cycle and the current lines in potential Senate recall elections could cause headaches for election officials.

But the board agreed with Judge Timothy Vocke, who argued, "If it's going to be fixed, it should be the Legislature that fixes it."

The board also voted to recognize tech colleges IDs as acceptable under the state's new voter ID law. But it declined to take up a staff recommendation to rescind an earlier ruling that stickers could be affixed to student IDs to satisfy voter ID requirements.

-- By Andy Szal

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

With all but two precincts reporting, Democrat Jill Billings has defeated Republican David Drewes in a lopsided victory.

Billings, a vice chair of the La Crosse County Board, took just under 72 percent of the vote while Drewes, a local government watchdog, only took 27 percent of the vote.

Billings will fill the seat vacated by Sen. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse.

Drewes, who was a long-shot to win the seat, said he didn't have the time or the money to compete with Billings. Campaign finance reports showed the Billings outraised Drewes by more than a 4-1 margin.

"That’s always the joke," Drewes said. "The Republicans are always supposed to have all the money and the Democrats are the poorer, but that was obviously not the case here."

While Drewes says he'll continue to stay involved in local government issues as a watchdog, it would be "not very likely" that he'd run for another elected office.

Billings didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

UPDATE: The final numbers with all 19 precincts in are 5,938 votes, or 72.1 percent for Billings, to 2,247, or 27.3 percent for Drewes.

-- By Jason Smathers

With 12 of the 19 precincts reporting, Jill Billings looks like she'll win the 95th AD handily over David Drewes.

Billings lead has dropped to 70.8 percent of the vote to Drewes 28.47 percent.

-- By Jason Smathers

It looks like Jill Billings is running away with the 95th AD race early.

With 5 of the 19 precincts reporting, Billings has 74.14 percent of the vote to Drewes nearly 25 percent.

On a side note, turnout in the reporting wards is up significantly from the primary. For example, ward 1 of La Crosse had 249 total votes in the primary; tonight it has 432.

Of course, that may be due to the fact that there was no true Republican primary in October - Drewes ran unopposed.

-- By Jason Smathers

With only one tiny precinct of the 95th AD reporting, Jill Billings holds a slim lead over David Drewes: three votes for Billings, two for Drewes.

Note, of course, that there are only 40 registered voters in the Town of Campbell precinct.


-- By Jason Smathers

The Polls are closed.

La Crosse City Clerk Teri Lehrke says there's a bigger turnout today for the 95th AD than there was for the primary.

Voters are choosing between Democrat and La Crosse County Vice Chair Jill Billings and the Republican, local government watchdog David Drewes.

Lehrke says she's only been to about half the wards today, and speculated that some voters may be heading to the polls before rain comes in later tonight.


-- By Jason Smathers

The Muskego man who filed recall papers against Scott Walker donated to Walker's campaign last year, according to campaign finance reports.

David Brandt did not return a call seeking comment.

Dems seized on the donation to knock the filing as a dirty trick.

“While we certainly understand that thousands of Wisconsinites can’t wait to recall Scott Walker, we find it convenient that, days before Walker goes on a Koch-fueled trip to Arizona, Kansas and California, recall papers are filed by a donor to Scott Walker that will allow Walker to bag all the sleazy campaign cash he can get his hands on," Dem Chair Mike Tate said in a statement.

State GOP exec director Stephan Thompson said he did not know Brandt and the effort was not connected to the party.

"The rumors being circulated by the Democrats are completely false," he said.

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

A Muskego man filed today to begin recalling Gov. Scott Walker "to fulfill my friend's last request."

The committee, "Close Friends to Recall Walker," was registered by David Brandt.

The state Dem Party said the filing was not related to the effort it planned to begin later this month with United Wisconsin. The filing also does not impact the 60-day window the party and United Wisconsin will have to collect the more than 540,000 signatures needed to trigger a recall.

It does, however, open the window in which Walker can raise unlimited funds to defend himself from a recall attempt.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

This morning's committee vote on legislation to move up implementation of new Senate lines ahead of next year's expected recalls has been canceled.

The bill, along with one requiring those circulating recall petitions to submit a notarized affidavit attesting to their identity, were not included on today's Senate calendar.

Transportation and Elections Chair Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, delayed a planned vote yesterday, saying she first wanted to talk with her caucus. Senate Republicans met for much of yesterday afternoon.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

A Senate committee has delayed until tomorrow voting on legislation that would move up implementation of new Senate district boundaries ahead of expected recall elections next year.

GOP Sen. Dale Schultz of Richland Center said yesterday he does not support the bill, leaving Republicans at least one vote shy of the support needed to pass the legislation.

Senate Transportation and Elections Committee Chairwoman Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, said she delayed the committee vote so the caucus can meet and discuss the bill.

Lazich said after the hearing she has not discussed the legislation with Schultz, but said it was important to meet with her GOP colleagues on the bill before a committee vote even if they’re at least one vote shy.

“We have the discussion,” Lazich said. “There needs to be a discussion.”

Dem committee members Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, and Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, said they weren’t sure why Lazich needed a caucus meeting before voting on the bill and doubted it would change Schultz’s mind.

“There are probably other members in that caucus who agree with Dale,” Erpenbach said.

The committee vote was rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The conservative Americans for Prosperity and MacIver Institute this morning announced their launch of the “It’s Working” campaign to tout the guv’s budget accomplishments.

The effort includes a website and a 60-second TV ad the groups say will air on cable and in markets around the state.

The spot opens with black-and-white footage of protesters who said the sky would fall, but the narrator says Wisconsin is stronger than ever thanks to budget reform. The narrator goes on to say the state cut spending by asking public employees to pay more for their benefits and reining in the “abuse of collective bargaining to put taxpayers back in control.”

The spot then highlights stories of local governments saving money and not cutting programs.

“Wisconsin budget reform. It’s working,” the spot concludes, promoting the new website http://www.itsworkingwisconsin.com

Watch the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lD9HiwRKTE

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

The new legislative district lines lawmakers drew this summer will not apply to any recall or special elections held before the Nov. 6, 2012, general election, the GAB staff opined today.

Agency Director Kevin Kennedy sent a memo to the chief clerks of both houses laying out the staff's opinion that the language in the legislation lawmakers approved is "very clear" when it comes to when the lines take effect for elections. The act states that it "first applies, with respect to regular elections, to offices filled at the 2012 general election." Kennedy also noted the legislation states the law "first applies, with respect to special or recall elections, to offices filled or contested concurrently with the 2012 general election."

What lines possible recall elections will be held under could have significant impacts on those races, particularly for targets like Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine. His district becomes significantly more Republican under the new lines than its current composition.

While those new district lines aren't in place for elections until November 2012, the GAB staff found lawmakers are allowed to expend state resources to send mail to constituents in their newly drawn districts and to travel within the boundaries that will be in place for the 2012 elections for legislative business.

Kennedy noted the memo represented staff opinion and not a formal opinion from the Government Accountability Board. The staff's conclusions will be presented to the board in the "form of recommended guidance to share with legislators and the public," Kennedy wrote.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

With all precincts reporting, La Crosse County Supervisor Jill Billings has won the Dem primary in the 95th AD. Billings captured just under 52 percent of the vote while her nearest challenger, La Crosse School Board President Christine Claironly took in about 32 percent of the vote.

The other two Democratic candidates, David Krump and Nick Charles, split the rest of the vote, with Charles garnering 8.1 percent of the vote and Krump taking 7.8 percent.

In an interview with WisPolitics.com, Billings credited her experience on the county board and ability to hit doors across the district as the reason that voters chose her over her competitors. She cited La Crosse County's bond rating and relatively low tax rate in comparison to other counties as examples of the progress she's capable of bringing to a statewide office.

She's certainly looking ahead to her potential role in the Assembly, which she said would emphasize civil debate that she feels has missing from state government recently. She's encouraged by a few recent bipartisan efforts, but called the recall efforts in the Senate "unfortunate."

"Sen. Shilling was able to have a conversation with the governor once she took office," Billings said. "I also appreciated that he called our election early on. He could have sat on it and left us without a voice. I see some signs that there are some attempts to reach out."

While Billings eyes are still on the work of the Assembly, she said she isn't taking the general election for granted, despite the Dem tilt of the district.

"I’m going to do what I have done throughout the primary: I’m going to work hard and knock on doors and keep working my campaign," Billings said.

Billings will face GOP candidate David Drewes in the general election Nov. 8.

Editor's Note: Jill Billings clarified later in the week that she was referring to the Senate recall efforts, not the Walker recall effort. The post has been changed to reflect that.
-- By Jason Smathers

Unless the last two precincts swing wildly toward Christine Clair, it appears that Jill Billings will win the Democratic primary for the 95th AD. With 17 out of 19 precincts reporting, Billings still holds 51.56 percent of the vote, while Clair has only 31.8 percent.

The remaining votes were split between conservative Democrat Nick Charles and arts administrator David Krump.

-- By Jason Smathers

With 11 of 19 precincts reporting, La Crosse County Board Supervisor Jill Billings is out to a substantial lead in the 95th District. Billings holds just under 52 percent of the vote. Her nearest competitor, La Crosse School Board President Christine Clair, is trailing Billings with 31.47 percent of the vote.

Conservative Democrat Nick Charles and arts administrator David Krump, who were seen as long shots, have 7.12 percent and 9.44 percent respectively.

-- By Jason Smathers

Polls have closed in the 95th AD Dem primary.

It looks like low turnout for the 95th Assembly district primary being held today. La Crosse City Clerk Teri Lehrke said that after visiting about six of the 17 polls across the district today, things are "pretty quiet."

Voters are deciding who will be the Democratic contender for the Assembly seat vacated by now-state Sen. Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse.

Lehrke also said that the new voter ID provisions haven't been much of a problem, though some voters have protested the move by refusing to show ID. Lehrke noted that after three elections and a visible public awareness campaign, most voters now know what to expect.

-- By Jason Smathers

Today's Dem primary for the 95th AD is looking like a two-person race between La Crosse County Supv. Jill Billings and La Crosse School Board President Christine Clair, according to observers.

And whoever emerges from the primary will be favored to win the Dem-leaning seat in next month’s special election to replace Jennifer Shilling, who resigned after she won a recall election this summer and joined the state Senate.

Billings and Clair have been the most active in terms of fundraising and appear to have the most support from the Dem base, according to observers. They’re also competing with David Krump, a playwright and administrator for The Pump House Regional Arts Center, and Nick Charles, who ran for the seat last year as a Republican.

The winner will face GOP candidate David Drewes Nov. 8.

The focus leading up to today has been on Billings and Clair. Billings raised $23,970 through Sept. 26, including a $10,000 loan she gave her campaign. She spent $12,976 and had $10,994 cash on hand.

Her donors include state Rep. Steve Doyle, who won a special election earlier this year for a La Crosse-area Assembly seat, and she’s expected to have support from Dem members of the county board. Doyle, who gave her $50, is a former chair. One Dem said Billings is the favorite for some in the progressive community, and she lists donations from people like Heather Colburn, who’s run a number of Dem campaigns and is now the Women Vote director for Obama’s campaign, and Michelle McGrorty, director of the Greater Wisconsin Committee.

Shilling is not endorsing in the race, but she’s donated to both campaigns. She gave Billings $100 and donated $50 to Clair, who also received a $50 donation from Shilling’s husband.

Clair, a former public defender who now teaches at Viterbo University, raised $8,983, including a $510 loan, spent $4,421 and had $4,562 cash on hand. She’s expected to have the backing of some in the education community, and her donors also include La Crosse School District Principal Laura Huber, who donated $250.

Charles listed $520 raised, $232 spent and $320 cash on hand. He also had a debt of $23,190 left over from last bid. Krump had not filed a report with the GAB as of this morning.

Drewes raised $6,865, including a loan of $6,275, spent $924 and had $5,941 cash on hand.

See Billings’ website.

See Clair’s website.

See Drewes’ website.

See Krump’s website.

-- By JR Ross

State Dem Chair Mike Tate says efforts to recall Gov. Scott Walker will begin on Nov. 15.

In an email to supporters, Tate said he planned to make a 9 p.m. announcement on the Ed Schultz Show about the recall effort, which will be a collaboration with the group United Wisconsin.

The note includes a fundraising pitch that says organizers are looking to raise $540,206 by Nov. 15 -- that's $1 for each valid signature needed to finalize the recall.

See the email

Labels: 2011 recall elections

An election to fill the Assembly seat previously held by Sen. Jen Shilling, D-La Crosse, will be held on Nov. 8, following an Oct. 11 primary.

Gov. Scott Walker set the election dates with an executive order this afternoon. See the announcement and the executive order.

So far three Democrats have filed to run for the seat. They are: David Krump, administrator of La Crosse’s Pump House Regional Arts Center, La Crosse Co. Supervisor Jill Billings and La Crosse School Board President Christine Clair.

Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold announced this morning he will not be a candidate in 2012, telling supporters he will instead focus on teaching, writing a book and leading his Progressives United PAC.

Feingold was the favored candidate of some Dems to seek the party's nomination next year either for the open U.S. Senate seat or to challenge Scott Walker if the guv is recalled. He also acknowledged in the email to his Progressives United supporters of his strong standings in the polls for both races.

"After twenty-eight continuous years as an elected official, however, I have found the past eight months to be an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective," Feingold wrote.

With Feingold out of the race, it is expected U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, will soon announce her candidacy for the Senate. She has said she wanted to make a decision this month.

See the email

Labels: 2012_recall_elections

Dem recall candidates in six of the nine races pulled in more votes this summer than their party’s guv nominee did last fall, while Sen. Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls was the only GOP candidate to eclipse Scott Walker’s numbers from November.

What’s more, the drop-off for the GOP candidates was often fairly severe, according to a WisPolitics comparison of returns.

The eight GOP candidates who pulled fewer voters than Walker in their districts saw an average drop off of 9,106 votes. That number was skewed somewhat because of the candidacy of David VanderLeest, who received 18,602 fewer votes in the 30th SD than Walker did.

But even with that race pulled out of the equation, the other seven Republicans lost an average of 7,749 votes compared to Walker.

Harsdorf, meanwhile, pulled 463 more votes than Walker, while Dem Shelly Moore received 2,160 more votes than Dem Tom Barrett did last fall.

On the Dem side, Nancy Nusbaum in the 2nd SD, Rep. Sandy Pasch in the 8th and Sen. Dave Hansen in the 30th pulled fewer votes than Barrett. The other six received an average of 2,128 more votes than the Milwaukee mayor.

See a race-by-race comparison of vote totals from the fall guv race and this summer’s recall elections

Editor's note: This post has been edited to correct the average drop off for the GOP candidates compared to Walker's totals.

Labels: 2011 recall elections

HEADLINES
* Recalls leave both GOP, Dems claiming victory
* Lessons learned from recalls
* Summing up the Wisconsin recalls (by the numbers)
* Candidates speak in final recall results

COMMENTARY
* Scott Wittkopf: Holperin, Wirch victories shift momentum ... Walker hears footsteps
* Emily Mills: What's left after the dust settles, part two
* Sarah Bartash: Reflections from La Crosse on politics in Wisconsin
* Lisa Mux: Sensible people prevailed, Simac lost
* Bill Lueders: $45 a vote, and for what?
* Kevin Binversie: Democrats' recruitment victories led to recall edge
* Jay Miller: Exposure to differing views is a good thing
* Chris Walker: Results of recall elections show shift in voter attitudes

Labels: 2011 recall elections

HEADLINES
* Dems survive in final Wis. recall races
* 2 Wisconsin Democrats Re-elected
* 2 Wis. Democrats keep their Senate seats
* Holperin and Wirch keep their jobs
* Wirch keeps seat
* Holperin keeps seat in recall
* Wirch, Holperin win Senate recalls; GOP retains 17-16 majority
* Wisconsin Democrats Holperin, Wirch keep their Senate seats in recall election
* Dems hold, GOP maintains edge after recall finale
* Holperin holds seat in recall election
* Holperin survives challenge from Simac in recall
* Democrat Wirch survives recall against Steitz
* Senator Robert Wirch keeps his seat in 22nd district
* Recall Elections: Senate Democrats Keep Seats

COMMENTARY
* E.J. Dionne Jr.: Democrats win last two Wisconsin recalls
* Scott Wittkopf: Wisconsin recalls and Barack Obama – a letter to the President
* Cory Liebmann: Keep your perspective, keep your focus
* Owen Robinson: They came, they spent, they lost
* Tom Jensen: Sentiment moving against Walker recall
* Jim Rosenberg: GOP says they were 'victorious' while WMC says 'let's change the rules'
* John Nichols: Democrats finish 'recall summer' with 2 big wins, a better position in the Senate
* Kerry Thomas: In Wisconsin, there's no accountability
* Jay Bullock: With all recalls done, Dems real winners
* Christian Schneider: How Paul Ryan unexpectedly won the Wisconsin recalls
* Dave Zweifel: Get ready for the coming culture wars
* James Rowen: Before a Walker recall -- voter education, assistance a must

PRESS RELEASES
* Rep. Barca: Statement on Sen. Bob Wirch's landslide victory in the 22nd Senate District
* Rep. Barca: Statement on Sen. Jim Holperin's victory in the 12th Senate District
* Rep. Hulsey: Election score: Walker/GOP 0 wins to Democrats 8 wins
* RNC: Statement on second round of Wis. recalls
* Sen. Fitzgerald: Statement on recalls
* Simac Campaign: Statement on election results
* We Are Wisconsin: Statement of We Are Wisconsin spokesman Kelly Steele in response to tonight's election results
* WisDems: Statement of DPW Chair Mike Tate on Democratic victories in the historic Wisconsin state Senate recall elections
* WisDems: Statement of Senate Democratic leader Mark Miller regarding the election victories of Senators Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch
* WisDems: Voters resoundingly support Bob Wirch in summer election
* WisGOP: Statement on recall election results
* WMC: Wisconsin needs recall reform

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Attorney Jonathan Steitz downplayed his financial disadvantage in his challenge of Dem Sen. Bob Wirch, saying he stayed positive and focused on the issues.

Conservative groups did not come to Steitz’s aid in the final weeks over the airwaves, while Dem and union groups hammered him on several fronts.

“Our goal was to run a grassroots campaign and take our message directly to the people,” Steitz told WisPolitics.com in an interview from his Election Night party. “The people who had a chance to meet me and heard me out had a favorable impression. It’s hard to run a campaign like that on the time frame that we had, and I think there’s a good number of people in the district who unfortunately listened to what they were saying about me and didn’t give me much of a chance to change their minds.”

Steitz said he knew he was mounting an uphill battle against Wirch in a district that he said is shifting, but has traditionally leaned Dem.

Despite the loss, he said he remains open to another political campaign down the road. He said he has no interest in becoming a career politician, but hopes his career is marked by periods of public service and time in the private sector.

“If an opportunity arises and it feels like the right time for my family and me, I could definitely see myself running in the future,” he said.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Republican Kim Simac told supporters her campaign sent a message the only "special interests" that should matter are those of the people of the Northwoods.

"While we didn't win tonight, we sent a message to Madison and Washington D.C.," Simac told supporters in Eagle River.

Simac spearheaded the effort to recall Holperin and told the crowd she was inspired by her supporters. Simac named off several campaign workers, some who had worked on the initial recall effort and some who had worked on her campaign.

Simac said she had called Holperin to congratulate him, but she didn't get an answer. That prompted some in the crowd to suggest he was in Illinois or that she had the wrong area code.

Simac simply said she would try again. She added she would work to ensure Holperin represented everyone in the district.

Simac concluded by saying she lived in the best part of the state and asking supporters to celebrate what they had accomplished.

-- By Arthur Thomas

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Dem state Sen. Jim Holperin thanked a cheering crowd of about 100 supporters for his win in the 12th SD, telling them he has never had seen such a commitment and energy from workers in a campaign.

“You did a hell of a job,” Holperin said. “That is what made the difference in this race.”

With 79 percent of the vote in, Holperin had 23,756 votes, or 54 percent, to 20,150 votes, or 46 percent for Tea Party activist and small business owner Kim Simac.

It is the second time Holperin has survived a recall election. Voters failed to recall him from his old Assembly seat in 1990 over spear fishing rights for American Indians.

Holperin said Tuesday's win signals that voters rejected Simac’s contention that the recall was all about him leaving the state during the debate over the governor’s collective bargaining bill.

“Maybe delaying the vote on the collective bargaining bill was more good than bad,” Holperin said.

The Democrat said the Republican's new 17-16 majority in the Senate will “signal the start of a new era of a moderate approach to public policy, starting with the governor.”

The crowd erupted with chants of "Recall Walker, recall Walker, recall Walker."

Holperin smiled at the crowd.

"Later,” he said as the crowd cheered some more.

-- By Bob Imrie

Labels: 2011 recall elections

State Sen. Bob Wirch credited a combination of retail politics, anger at Gov. Scott Walker and a lack of resources for his GOP challenger in today’s win.

Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, also noted Republican Jonathan Steitz is the third attorney he’s beaten in the Kenosha-area district, including now-RNC Chair Reince Priebus in 2004.

“I love it when they put lawyers up against me, especially corporate lawyers,” Wirch told WisPolitics.com in an interview from his Election Night party.

With 100 percent of the vote in, Wirch had 25,541 votes, or 58 percent, to 18,838 votes, or 42 percent for Steitz, according to unofficial returns.

Wirch also told WisPolitics he will make a decision on his political future within the next month. Under the map Republicans approved last month, Wirch has been drawn out of the 22nd SD for the 2012 election. Barring a successful challenge to the map, Wirch will either have to run against GOP Sen. Van Wanggaard in a new district that largely includes the rural areas of Kenosha and Racine counties or move into a new district that is most comprised of the cities of Kenosha and Racine.

“I’m going to talk to my family and staff and will be making a decision certainly within the next month on my future,” he said.

Appearing on “UpFront with Mike Gousha” this weekend, Wirch demurred when asked whether the recall elections were proper. But he said tonight they were worth it and sent a clear message about the anger and frustration in the electorate and said he hoped it would set a different path for the Legislature over the remainder of the session.

“I think there will be a different tone,” he said. “I believe even the governor is talking a more moderate way because he’s worried about being recalled. Maybe they’ll even follow up that moderate talk with some moderate action.”

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

The AP has declared Dem Sen. Jim Holperin the winner in the 12th SD, leaving the GOP majority at 17-16 after nine recall elections.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2011 recall elections

State Sen. Jim Holperin continues to inch his way toward re-election.

According to a WisPolitics tally of the vote, Holperin has 23,886 votes, or 53.7 percent, to 20,553, or 46.2 percent for GOP opponent Kim Simac.

At this point, we're only missing numbers from Lincoln County, which is doing a hand count, along with a handful from Florence, Forest and Oneida counties.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

The AP has declared state Sen. Bob Wirch the winner in his recall election with GOP challenger Jonathan Steitz.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2011 recall elections

With Kenosha County returns still coming in, Dem Sen. Bob Wirch has opened up a led on GOP challenger Jonathan Steitz.

With 51 percent of the vote in, Wirch has 55 percent to 45 percent for Steitz.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Dem state Sen. Jim Holperin expressed some confidence to supporters just now, telling them he's doing better in some precincts than he did thee years ago.

Holperin said he's waiting to see final numbers from Antigo, Merrill and Rhinelander to know for sure whether his optimism will hold up.

"I feel pretty good about the numbers," Holperin said. "It leads me to be pretty optimistic about the outcome."

-- By Bob Imrie

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Here are some early returns.

In the 12th, with 19 percent reporting:
54% - Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover (Incumbent)
46% - Kim Simac, R-Eagle River

In the 22nd, with 14 percent reporting:
44% - Sen. Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie (Inc.)
56% - Jonathan Steitz, R-Pleasant Prairie

-- By Staff

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Supporters of state Sen. Jim Holperin and GOP challenger Kim Simac have gathered to watch election returns as they await the outcome of today’s most watched recall race.

Holperin’s backers gathered at the Best Western Claridge Hotel in downtown Rhinelander. About 75 people are packed into a small room off the Claridge Club, the hotel bar. Many are wearing green Holperin for Senate T-shirts or red We Are Wisconsin T-shirts.

There was a round of applause after it was announced that Holperin won Sugar Camp, a GOP area. According to the Oneida County Clerk's website, Holperin had 453 votes there to 412 for Simac.

Simac’s backers are at the Eagle River Inn. The banquet room currently has around 45 people in it gathered around the bar and tables set up on the dance floor. The Brewers game is on TV, but it seems most of the supporters are talking amongst themselves.

Meanwhile, the four TV stations in attendance have their cameras aimed at the lectern where Simac will likely speak later this evening

-- By Bob Imrie and Arthur Thomas

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Kenosha County Clerk Mary Schuch-Krebs said turnout would likely be 55 percent there, rivaling a normal gubernatorial election.

One ward in the city of Kenosha ran out of ballots, and Schuch-Krebs estimated it was some 15 minutes or so that voters couldn't cast ballots. The ward captain realized ballots were running low and called the clerk's office, which printed up 300 additional ballots and delivered them to the polling site.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

The polls have closed in the 12th and 22nd Senate districts.

-- By Staff

Labels: 2011 recall elections

HEADLINES
* In Wisconsin recalls, GOP looking to win one back
* In final Wisconsin recall, signs of a national tea party backlash?
* Tight race expected in final Wisconsin recall
* Wisconsin Democrats aim to hold on in recall votes today
* Final recall races today
* After dramatic summer, recall races take final bow
* Today marks the last of the recall elections

COMMENTARY
* Rebecca Kemble: Spinning the recalls
* Christian Schneider: Wisconsin heads back to the polls, again
* Emily Mills: Two more Senate recalls, searching for a healthier Wisconsin
* Kevin Binversie: Wisconsin gears up for recall finale
* Randy Melchert: What to watch: Senate District 12 -* Jim Holperin v. Kim Simac

PRESS RELEASES
* Recall Wirch: Correcting misstatements by Sen. Wirch
* Simac Campaign: Holperin record in Madison is bad for jobs
* Simac Campaign: Unemployment in the 12th: The Holperin effect
* Steitz Campaign: Politifact determines Wirch claim a "Pants on Fire"
* We Are Wisconsin: Top reasons corporate attorney Jonathan Steitz is wrong for SD22
* Wisconsin Wave: Election integrity activists to monitor Tuesday’s recall elections
* WisDems: While Jim Holperin stands up for the northwoods, Kim Simac fails to show up

Labels: 2011 recall elections

Clerks in the 12th and 22nd districts are reporting high turnout in today's recall election, but no real problems at the polls.

The clerk's office in Rhinelander reported turnout approaching that of a presidential election, with a line stretching outside of a VFW post serving as one of the polling places.

Eagle River reported “brisk” turnout with 294 of the city's 772 registered voters having voted as of 1 p.m. Clerk Debra Brown said the turnout has been busier than most elections and so far closer to what they normally see in presidential elections compared to a spring election.

Turnout in Antigo and Merrill has also been brisk, with the clerks there reporting turnout higher than spring elections, but below fall elections. Merrill City Clerk Bill Heideman said he anticipated high turnout and that it has met his expectations so far. Crivitz reported turnout so far typical of a spring election, with 119 of 550 registered voters voting as of 1 p.m.

In the 22nd SD, Burlington had seen about 1,200 of its approximately 5,800 registered voter at the polls today. The clerk's office reported that the polling places have been busy, and that turnout has been heavier than a spring election, but below that of a presidential election.

In Twin Lakes, 500 of the city's 2,821 registered voters voted as of 1:30 p.m., which the clerk's office said is about what the village sees in a spring election. While there have been lines, they've been moving well all day, the clerk said.

Silver Lake has seen steady turnout, but has hit an afternoon lull, Clerk/Treasurer Terry Faber said. Out of about 1,200 registered voters, Faber said 295 had voted as of 2:30 p.m.

-- By David Wise

Labels: 2011 recall elections

State election officials have received complaints of long lines in Arbor Vitae in the 12th SD and Kenosha in the 22nd. But things are going smoothly otherwise with a fairly high turnout, GAB Director Kevin Kennedy says.

Kennedy said the Government Accountability Board has advised officials in Arbor Vitae and Kenosha to split up the poll books to create more lines when voters check in and speed up the process.

He also said the Kenosha County DA has received complaints of electioneering at some polling sites, largely because of bumper stickers on cars. No electioneering is allowed within 100 feet of a polling place.

Kennedy said officials in reality aren't going to enforce the ban on someone pulling into a parking lot to vote and then leave. The issue is when cars are parked in front of polling sites intentionally with political messages and left there for the day.

He also said some of the complaints are over bumper stickers calling for the recall of Gov. Scott Walker. But such messages aren't covered by the electioneering ban since the guv isn't on the ballot today.

A coalition of groups including the Election Defense Alliance, the Wisconsin Wave and Protect California Ballots announced it has trained volunteers to conduct exit polling in both Senate districts. The groups don't believe electronic voting machines are accurate and have been conducting exit polling during the recall elections.

There was a conflict in the Milwaukee suburb of Milwaukee last week, and the GAB has received other complaints about exit polling volunteers. But Kennedy said he's heard of no issues so far today.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

The candidates in today's recall elections have lined up where they'll spend Election Night.

Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover plans to be in Rhinelander at the Claridge Best Western Club House Restaurant, while GOP challenger Kim Simac will stay in her hometown at the Eagle River Inn. Both parties kick off as the polls close at 8 p.m.

In the 22nd SD recall, Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, will hold his party at 8 at the Kenosha UAW hall, while Jon Steitz's campaign event starts at 7 p.m. at the Brat Stop in Kenosha.

-- By Staff

WAUSAU – On the eve of a historic summer election in northern Wisconsin, political leaders say enthusiasm remains high even though the outcome means little to the balance of power in the state Senate.

“Our office is wall-to-wall full here,” Phil Walzak, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said in a telephone interview from Rhinelander on Monday, referring to volunteers. “The shifts are full.”

Matt Capristo, a spokesman for the state Republican Party, estimated 50 to 100 volunteers were making telephone calls and knocking on doors to back his party’s get-out-the-vote strategy at midday Monday.

“We are getting enough (help),” he said. “There is a lot of enthusiasm”

In Tuesday’s District 12 Senate recall, incumbent Jim Holperin, a 60-year-old Democrat with a long resume in government and politics, faces political newcomer Kim Simac, a 52-year-old small business owner, political newcomer and tea party activist who organized Holperin's recall.

District 12 includes all or parts of 11 mostly rural counties, stretching from near Wausau to Marinette, Rhinelander and Eagle River.

Holperin, who narrowly won the seat in November 2008 against another small business owner, survived a similar recall when he was in the state Assembly in 1990 amidst angst over the Chippewa Indians’ reviving special fishing rights retained in century-old treaties.

Holperin and 13 other Democratic senators fled to Illinois in February for three weeks to thwart passage of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, a move that ultimately failed to block passage of the legislation.

Holperin contends the move was responsible and gave the people of Wisconsin more time to consider Walker’s anti-union changes. Simac’s campaign characterizes the move as walking off the job and leaving constituents with no voice.

No matter the outcome of Holperin’s race, Republicans will keep control of the Senate, after GOP incumbents won four of six recalls last week and one Democrat was re-elected earlier. The only remaining races involve Holperin and fellow Democratic incumbent Robert Wirch. After last week's races, Republicans hold 17 Senate seats and Democrats have 16.

Walzak said the Democratic Party was mounting a “full-fledged voter turnout” for Tuesday with volunteers “eager to protect” Holperin and the gains Democrats made in ousting two Republican senators last week.

“While the Senate didn’t flip, it is a much different Senate than a week ago,” he said. “We made some strides. Moderates and progressives have new influence. Our volunteer pool continues to be strong.”

Elizabeth Novak, an organizer for the Democratic Party in Rhinelander, estimated about 300 different volunteers have worked on Holperin’s behalf, mostly knocking on doors and distributing campaign literature, since Friday.

The campaign has set up “satellite offices” in Antigo, Tomahawk and Merrill for the final push, she said.

“We haven’t changed anything,” she said. “We are doing what we planned to do – making sure we turn out our supporters.”

Capristo said he felt good about his party’s get-out-the-vote effort, predicting up to a 45 percent turnout for the historic recall. Some top Republican officials, including the lieutenant governor, have visited the district to campaign for Simac in recent days.

“There is a reason for this recall,” Capristo said. “People are upset.”

Simac was spending the final hours of her first run for elective office on what she called a “pickup truck tour” of Lincoln and Langlade counties, hauling a 4-foot by 8-foot campaign sign and making stops to shake hands and greet voters, Capristo said.

“We are doing out best to get to every single township,” he said.

Holperin attended an AARP picnic in Rhinelander on Monday and planned a later stop in Antigo, Novak said. He planned to spend much of Tuesday in Vilas County’s Lac du Flambeau, she said.

-- By Robert Imrie
For WisPolitics.com

Labels: 2011 recall elections

A poll commissioned by the conservative Red Racing Horses blog has a much closer race in the 12th SD than a survey done for the liberal website Daily Koss.

The poll, done by the GOP consulting firm We Ask America, found 51 percent of those surveyed backed state Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover, while 49 percent backed Tea Party activist and small business owner Kim Simac.

The Daily Kos poll had Holperin up 55-41.

It also found 41 percent of those surveyed approved of the job President Obama has been doing, while 56 percent approved.

The blog post on the poll says the sample size was 1,384 and the survey was conducted over the weekend, but it does not include specifics on the date or whether participants were screened for likely voters. We've emailed the blog for the polling memo.

The blog post puts the margin of error at plus or minus 2.62 percentage points and says the break down of those surveyed was 28 percent Dems, 28 percent Republicans and 43 percent independents.

UPDATE: 2:53 p.m. -- The sample was likely voters, and the survey was conducted Saturday and Sunday. See the polling memo here.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

The liberal website Daily Kos has Dem Sens. Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch up double digits ahead of tomorrow's recall elections in their districts.

In the 12th, the Dem firm Public Policy Polling found 55 percent of those surveyed backed Holperin compared to 41 percent who supported Tea Party activist and small business owner Kim Simac.

Fifty-four percent of those surveyed approved of Holperin's job performance, while 42 percent disapproved. Meanwhile, 40 percent had a favorable impression of Simac, while 54 percent had an unfavorable impression of her.

President Obama's job approval numbers were upside down at 44-49, while Gov. Scott Walker's were 45-53.

The poll of 1,387 likely voters was done Friday through Sunday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.

In the 22nd, Wirch led GOP attorney Jonathan Steitz 55-42.

Wirch's job approval numbers were 55-42, while Steitz's favorability rating was 41-48.

Obama's job approval numbers were 41-51, while Walker's were 44-53.

The survey of 1,130 likely voters was done Friday through Sunday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

-- By JR Ross

Labels: 2011 recall elections

HEADLINES
- Two Democratic recalls can't sway Wisconsin Senate
- Dems won't reclaim majority in state Senate
- Veteran lawmaker Wirch faces newcomer in Steitz
- Campaigns stepping up effort as Wirch-Steitz election nears
- Recall votes show state's 50-50 split: Job creation a top priority, says GOP representative
- Recalls let clerks test new Wisconsin voting rules: ID requirements go into effect next year
- Wisconsin is a 50/50 state once more
- 2 more to go in Summer of recalls
- Going into the recall election, Simac maintains job growth is key
- Recalls could give Senate moderates more power
- Recall Revisited: One Last Look at the Numbers in the 8th Senate District

COMMENTARY
- Scot Ross: Recalls restore accountability
- Steve Prestegard: Whom to vote for Aug. 16
- Aaron Rodriguez: Senator Robert Wirch versus Jonathan Steitz
- Emily Mills: What's next after the dust settles, part one
- Michael Leon: Wisconsin Dems 8-4 going into final two recall elections
- Bill Kraus: Review session
- Joel McNally: So goes the nation
- Christina Beam: Third parties took over campaign
- James Fitzhenry: The rise and fall of Randy Hopper
- Greg Sargent: Wisconsin recall fight ends where it began: With a Big Lie
- Brett Hulsey: The GOP priority: Their job, not yours
- Kevin Binversie: Is there a better way to recall? Yes
- J. Gravelle: Wirch campaign eradicates the “u” word

Labels: 2011 recall elections

ANTIGO -- Anne Pregler of Antigo intends to vote in Tuesday’s historic recall of a northern Wisconsin state senator -- if her job doesn’t take her from town too long. The 47-year-old traveling merchandiser said Friday she was still unsure how she would vote, but senses plenty of excitement around town and plenty of advocacy.

“We have phone calls at 9 at night wanting to know who you are voting for,” Pregler said as she filled up her car with $3.59-a-gallon gasoline. “It gets a little annoying. I still get three calls a day. There’s a lot of pressure, or enthusiasm.”

What could have been a dramatic election in District 12 for majority control of the state Senate has evaporated into a summertime referendum on Sen. Jim Holperin, a 60-year-old Democrat with a long resume in government and politics, and whether voters want him replaced with political newcomer Kim Simac, a 52-year-old tea party activist who organized the recall against him.

No matter the outcome of Holperin’s race, Republicans will keep control of the Senate, after GOP incumbents won four of six recalls last Tuesday and one Democrat was re-elected earlier. Republicans have pick-up opportunities both in Holperin’s district and the 22nd in southeastern Wisconsin. But most view the Northwoods race as the only truly competitive one.

Fred Berner, editor of the Antigo Daily Journal, said Tuesday’s results have taken “maybe some of the glow” from the Holperin recall, but interest remains high because of so much advertising in a district that’s very divided politically and because both candidates made personal stops to court voters.

“Despite the fact it won’t make a difference in Madison, it will make a difference in who represents us up in the Northwoods,” he said. “People are fiercely interested in what happens here.”

Talking to voters in the sprawling District 12 that covers all or parts of 11 mostly rural counties with small towns stretching from near Wausau to Marinette to Eagle River provides ample evidence that people remain interested in having a say in the political turmoil that has rocked the state.

Tammy Welch of Merrill says she’s coming off the political sidelines because of the recall. She didn’t vote the last time the Senate seat came up in November 2008, when Holperin narrowly won.

She promises to vote Tuesday.

“The only way we are going to make a difference is by voting, whether it is summertime, wintertime or whatever,” said Welch, a 47-year-old tax professional and school bus driver. “We got to make a difference somehow.”

A Simac campaign sign sprouted from her front lawn along a busy Merrill street, but Welch said she was just being kind in letting Republican supporters put it up.

Welch called herself an independent and hadn’t decided yet who to back on Tuesday.

Sure, she said, she hears a deluge of television commercials for both sides but doesn’t want to rely on them to make her decision.

“I probably won’t know until I get there,” the grandmother said, referring to the voting booth.

Jamie Packard, a 34-year-old lumber inspector from Antigo, said he was excited about the special election and the opportunity to vote for Simac.

“I am going to vote for somebody who doesn’t leave the state, somebody who stands up for people,” Packard said. “It is time for our government to start doing things the right way. If I ran away from my job, I would get fired.”

Holperin and 13 other Democratic senators fled to Illinois in February for three weeks to thwart passage of Walker’s anti-union budget repair bill, a move that ultimately failed to block passage of the legislation.

Holperin contends the move was responsible and gave the people of Wisconsin more time to consider Walker’s sweeping, anti-union changes.

Emmit Winchell, a 67-year-old retired janitor in Merrill, will vote Tuesday and wants Holperin to win even though Democrats can’t gain complete power in the Senate.

“They ain’t going to take over. I know that,” Winchell said. “But at least even it out somewhat. At least we can have a fighting chance.”

A barrage of TV commercials, many from special interest groups, portray Simac as a too extreme, irresponsible small business owner who hasn’t paid state income taxes in some years and Holperin as a budget-busting, tax-loving spender who’s responsible for the state’s economic woes.

“I am so tired of getting stuff in the mail that I just throw it in the garbage,” said Diana Downing, 49, of Antigo.

Paul Wagner, a 50-year-old engineer from Merrill, said last Tuesday’s recall results could dampen some enthusiasm in District 12, but not his. He doesn’t want one of the candidates, whom he wouldn’t name, to win.

“I want to make my opinion known,” he said before teeing off with three out-of-town friends for a round of golf at Merrill Country Club on Friday. “You can’t complain if you don’t vote.”

Don Heinzen, 82, of the tiny village of Phlox outside of Antigo, said people in District 12 were energized to vote before last Tuesday’s six recalls were settled and he expects that to hold through the special election.

He will vote for Simac, he said, but believes the attack ads on TV against her will hurt her chances of winning.

“People tend to believe what they hear,” he said. “They made her look bad with that tax situation and that book in China.”

He referred to hundreds of thousands of dollars in TV ads that portray Simac as paying no state income taxes in some recent years and for having a book printed in China.

“It’s too bad,” Heinzen said. “It seems like money is the thing that puts them in office, rather than their qualifications.”

Mike Turney, owner of Langlade Abstract and Title, allowed a sign supporting Holperin outside the title company alongside a busy Antigo street.

Turney said he will vote Tuesday to cast what he calls an anti-recall vote. No one should be recalled over policy issues, he said.

“I haven’t agreed with everything Mr. Holperin has done, but I hope he wins,” Turney said. “People I have talked to are just tired of the whole thing.”

-- By Robert Imrie
For WisPolitics.com

Labels: 2011 recall elections