2012 Wisconsin Senate recall elections

Background

Voters put four state senators up for recall, all Republicans, because of the budget repair bill proposed by Governor Scott Walker and circumstances surrounding it. Democrats targeted Republicans for voting to significantly limit public employee collective bargaining. Scholars could cite only four times in American history when more than one state legislator has been recalled at roughly the same time over the same issue. The recall elections occurred on June 5, with May 8 being the date of the primary election.

These recall elections followed the largest group of recall elections in U.S. history during the previous year, in which Republicans kept control of the Wisconsin Senate. In the June 5, 2012 recall elections, Democrats appeared to have taken over one seat from Republicans.

Results summary

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. **** (gain)

Outgoing incumbents

Vacated office

• Pam Galloway, representing district 29 since 2010, resigned on March 12, 2012, to take care of her family

Campaign

Recall petitions

District 17

On March 19, 2012, paperwork was filed with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to create a committee to explore recalling Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center). To initiate a recall against Schultz, organizers would have had to submit 14,545 signatures to the G.A.B.. The effort was launched due to Schultz opposing a bill the week prior that would have helped Gogebic Taconite, a Florida-based mining company, set up an iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin.

District 25

On March 19, 2012, paperwork was filed with the G.A.B. to authorize a recall petition against Robert Jauch (D-Poplar). To initiate a recall against Jauch, organizers would have had to submit at least 15,270 signatures to the G.A.B.. The effort was launched due to Jauch opposing a bill from the previous week that would have helped Gogebic Taconite set up an iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin. Proponents of the recall argued that Jauch had cost Ashland County and Iron County jobs that would have alleviated unemployment. The recall effort was ultimately suspended on May 11, with organizers redirecting their attention to supporting Scott Walker in the gubernatorial recall election.

'Placeholder' candidates

Similarly to the previous recalls in 2011, the Republican Party backed primary challengers – known as "fake Democrats" due to being Republicans who ran in Democratic primaries – to all Democratic candidates running against Republican incumbents. The stated purpose of this was to prevent the recall elections from being held on the same day as the Democratic primary in the gubernatorial recall election and to give Republican incumbents and candidates more time to campaign.

Polling

Aftermath

Although the victory gave Democrats control of the Senate, the state legislature would not be in regular session again until after the November 2012 election when control of the legislature would again be contested. After the November 2012 election, Republicans regained control of the state Senate due to the resignation of one Democrat and two losses by Democrats to Republicans.

Race summary

Detailed results

District 13

Incumbent Republican Scott Fitzgerald ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Lori Compas and Libertarian Terry Virgil in the recall election and was retained in office.

District 21

Incumbent Republican Van H. Wanggaard ran for re-election. He was defeated by former Democratic senator John Lehman and recalled from office.

The initial results for the race were too close to call, with Lehman appearing to lead Wanggaard by less than 800 votes. The subsequent election canvas the following week confirmed Lehman's lead. Despite this, Wanggaard requested a recount, citing potential election irregularities involving potentially thousands of voters. The recount, held from June 20–July 2, decreased Lehman's margin by 15 votes. Due to the close results, several Republicans, including future Speaker of the Assembly Robin Vos, made false claims of voter fraud to explain Lehman's victory over Wanggaard. In the end, Wanggaard conceded to Lehman on July 10, 2012.

District 23

Republican Terry Moulton ran for re-election. He defeated former Democratic legislator Kristen Dexter in the recall election and was retained in office.

District 29

Incumbent Republican Pam Galloway resigned on March 12 due to personal reasons, leaving the district open. Republican state representative Jerry Petrowski defeated Democratic legislator Donna J. Seidel and retained the seat for Republicans.

Notes

References

References

1. (2012-03-15). "Judge OKs petition review extension, June 5 recall election". Host.madison.com.
2. (March 19, 2012). "New recall aimed at lawmakers who voted against mining bill". [[WITI (TV).
3. (March 19, 2012). "Hayward Republican launches recall against Poplar Democrat Jauch". Superior Telegram.
4. (May 11, 2012). "Group suspends effort to recall Sen. Jauch". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
5. Siegel, Robert. (April 13, 2012). "'Fake Democrats' Infiltrate Wis. Primaries". [[NPR]].
6. Daily Kos Elections. (2012-04-17). "Wisconsin state Senate recall polls paint a tough picture—but with one notable bright spot". Daily Kos.
7. Todd Richmond. "Senate power likely shifts to Dems; Wanggaard ponders recount". Host.madison.com.
8. Jack Craver. "Madison Politiscope: Democrats claim the state Senate — does it matter?". Host.madison.com.
9. Brendan O'Brien. (Nov 7, 2012). "Wisconsin state Senate switches party for third time in two years".
10. (May 18, 2012). "2012 Wisconsin State Senate Recall Primary Election Results".
11. (July 3, 2012). "2012 Wisconsin State Senate Recall Election Results".
12. Marley, Patrick. (June 15, 2012). "Wanggaard demands recount in Senate recall race". [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]].
13. Nelson, James B.. (July 6, 2012). "Wisconsin Rep. Robin Vos says voter fraud accounted for a portion of Lehman’s victory margin over Wanggaard in Senate recall". [[Politifact]].
14. Kirkby, Sean. (July 15, 2012). "Wanggaard concedes race". [[The Badger Herald]].