Next Wis. recall elections may not be so easy
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The recall elections targeting Wisconsin lawmakers amid the bitter fallout from the state's new collective bargaining law began in lackluster fashion with a Democratic senator easily keeping his seat. But the other eight races may not be so easy, and the stakes are high.
If Democrats win five of those August races, they'll retake control of the Wisconsin Senate and gain key momentum in their efforts to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker next year.
The recall elections stem from the controversial law Walker pushed earlier this year that strips most public workers of their collective bargaining rights. The legislative fight over his plan attracted national attention — and tens of thousands of protesters to the Wisconsin Capitol.
On Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen defeated Republican recall organizer David VanderLeest during the first of those elections with 66 percent of the vote. But unlike VanderLeest, who raised only $2,000 compared to Hansen's $318,000, candidates challenging the other two Democrats and six Republicans facing recalls have far more money and party support.
"We did what we had to do," said Hansen, whose 30th District covers much of Wisconsin's northeastern corner. "The momentum has started."
The Republican senators facing recalls were targeted for supporting Walker's proposal, which eventually passed the GOP-controlled Legislature and survived a court challenge. Hansen and the other two Democratic senators were targeted because they and their 11 Democratic colleagues fled Wisconsin for three weeks to stall a vote on the measure.
The state Democratic Party trumpeted Hansen's win as a defeat for Walker's agenda. State Republicans countered by congratulating the winners of the two GOP primaries Tuesday but didn't mention the Hansen race.
The state Republican party has hinted that it might dip into its own cash reserves to help candidates who emerge from the primaries. The party had $479,000 in the bank as of June 30, more than double the $193,000 reported by the Democrats.
VanderLeest was vulnerable not only because of Hansen's major cash advantage, but because of a criminal record that included convictions in 2006 on two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct. After the election, VanderLeest said he was heartened by the outcome despite the loss, noting that he won 34 percent of the vote even though he ran on a shoestring budget.
"I'm actually feeling pretty good considering how much I was outspent," he told The Associated Press. "It shows how well my message was received."
LaVonne Bray, a retired school worker from Green Bay, said she voted for Hansen because he took a difficult but principled stand. She said it was likely difficult for Democratic senators to leave the state for three weeks in order to stall a vote on Walker's proposal.
"They gave state citizens time to understand what Republicans were pushing through without anyone really knowing what was going on," the 60-year-old said. "Dave Hansen has my full support."
Dennis Arcand, a retired postal worker from Green Bay, voted for VanderLeest, saying the candidate's legal issues were overshadowed by his positions on the issues.
"I believe he's on the right side of the issue of getting the budget under control," said Arcand, 55. "I think Dave Hansen's a good guy, but on collective bargaining and the budget, that's why I voted for Mr. VanderLeest."
Hansen was the first to face a general election because his challenger had no opposition from his own party, meaning there was no primary.
However, primaries were held Tuesday for Republicans challenging the other two Democratic senators. Sen. Bob Wirch will face business attorney Jonathan Steitz on Aug. 16, the same day that Sen. Jim Holperin will be opposed by tea party organizer Kim Simac.
The slates were finalized last week in the races targeting the six Republicans. Their recall elections will be Aug. 9.
While VanderLeest struggled to raise cash, the winners of Tuesday's primaries proved they could. Simac's campaign reported having almost $60,000 in the bank earlier this month, while Steitz raised more than $33,000 and had more than $12,000 cash on hand.
That still leaves them at a disadvantage, since the Democratic incumbents each have at least $140,000 cash on hand.
Jul 20, 2011 at 4:34 p.m.
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GARYPRIMER - Regarding the flying pig, sounds dangerous to me. Maybe we should try to get it down. I would recommend you try some of the manure in that extra large shovel that KAYSBREW is always shoveling to entice it.
Jul 20, 2011 at 12:01 p.m.
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SuzQue: The same thing could be said for most politicians in gerneral.
Jul 20, 2011 at 11:56 a.m.
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It's not about who collects
the most advertising money!
It's about 'Rights of the People'!
Republicans are only interested in
money! Not what the People of
Wisconsin wants or needs!
Jul 20, 2011 at 11:31 a.m.
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Doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing. Scott Walker can expect to get his ears pinned back this year. And that's just for starters. Hurry 2012!
Jul 20, 2011 at 11:09 a.m.
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When my representitive had "run away" I was able to contact him a few times both by email and by telephone to discuss the situation, However I as not able to contact my local assemblyman during the whole process to discuss the same issues. Weeks AFTER the whole bill was passed I got a form letter explaining his position and a phone call to my home doing the same thing, no discussion just his position. He was not interested in my position BEFORE the vote just justifying his position AFTERWORDS!
If we are truly looking for who ran away I would say my Republican Representitive was AWOL.
I am a true independant so parties mean nothing to me but my ability to communicate with my elected representitives is extremely important to me as I want to know how he can represent my views without personal contact.
Evidently the GOP leadership or polls are all he is interested in representing in the Assembly.
Sorry JOE but you have got to GO!!!
Jul 20, 2011 at 10:45 a.m.
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nugnrose: you are correct in assuming that.
Jul 20, 2011 at 10:12 a.m.
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This out of state thing is a nonissue to me and holds no water when it comes to being recalled. Heck, even Lincoln jumped out of a second story window to prevent a vote. This is nothing new. They were still in contact with their offices and constituents. Thats more then you can say about the Republican that hid in their offices and refused to see, answer phone calls or emails from their constituents.
Jul 20, 2011 at 10:07 a.m.
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Professor- You are 100% correct, well said.
johnnyreb6977- Repubs on both the state and national level have also "run away". Should we assume you disapprove of their actions also?
Jul 20, 2011 at 9:58 a.m.
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It doesn't look like the majority of taxpayers in Hansen's district have much of a problem with him getting paid while he was out of state.
Jul 20, 2011 at 9:50 a.m.
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The talking point that the dems who went to IL to deny a quorum 'walked off their jobs' is simply red herring in an attempt to divert attention away from the fact that there was no way to justify what the Rs were trying to, and the way they were trying to do it.
Jul 20, 2011 at 9:36 a.m.
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baegucb: What tax payer expense you ask? How about them getting their wages while running away to IL and not doing their jobs!
Jul 20, 2011 at 9:05 a.m.
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"running away at tax payers expense!"
What taxpayer expense? For wasting state patrol's time? They did the same thing Abraham Lincoln did in 1841 to try and stop a quorum.
Jul 20, 2011 at 9 a.m.
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So the Democratic senators broke the law by crossing the state line
and the Republicans let them get away with it because they are all such nice guys
and wouldn't want to do anything that would hurt the Democrats?
I think that a pig just flew by my window!
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:55 a.m.
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"I believe you to be wrong on that. It saddens me that one of the Democrats that left there job for 3 weeks, because they did not like the rules, were allowed to keep their job. It upsets me that the voting public just dismisses the fact that these people walked off their jobs. Regardless of their intentions, They abandoned their elected positions. This in itself shows that If you are rich you can do anything you want without any repercussions." ....Solidad
Their job is to represent the people who elected them. Given the overwhelming support Hansen received in the recall election one could argue that he was doing his job representing the majority that elected him by leaving the state and delaying the vote. I'm not saying that it was the right thing to do that isn't for me to judge. But it certainly looks like the voters of his district have no problem with it.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the recall elections play out. Are voters more upset with their representives for passing Walker's bill or for leaving the state? We should know by the end of next month.
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:51 a.m.
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"they didn't walk off their jobs. They were the ones DOING their jobs during those three weeks, even at the expense of losing the comfort of their own homes. The senators that remained in Madison were the ones refusing to work for their constituents, refusing any sort of talks or compromise."
I can't believe some of you actually think that. The liberals really have you brainwashed! If the 14 runaway democrats WERE DOING their jobs they would of stayed in Madison casting their votes, not running away at tax payers expense!
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.
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jcommon, your comment is right on both ways. not only in the state, but federal levels also. it seems that neither party is willing to admit that the other one could EVER be right.
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:25 a.m.
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DwightKSchrute Not one comment on your post.
Isn't it funny how this is helping some of the school districts, but there isn't a dem out there that will admit that what is being done is necessary and will actually help this state in the long run. Dems don't want to admit that what Scott Walker is doing, is starting to show progress.
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:24 a.m.
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Personally, I don't follow links to Limbaugh or Fox news. That's entertainment, not facts. And anyone who tries to define socialism, communism, fascism on an internet comment, is likely not a philosophy graduate of a university.
Jul 20, 2011 at 8:11 a.m.
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Why do reporters assume all the recalls are due to the collective bargaining law. There are many reasons people are upset about the budget and the way the majority party acted throughout all of this. Skipping amendment to bills, voting before the session has started and the other party is in caucus. Cuts that effect everyone young and old while giving tax breaks to Corp. and rich. Not allowing people to speak a public hearings or just not having them. The list goes on and on. People's actions speak louder then a R or D after their name. You as a represenative may not like what people that do not agree with you have to say but, you must give them and our democracy the respect they deserve. When you don't you deserve an recall.
Jul 20, 2011 at 7:43 a.m.
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VanderLeest said he was proud to do so well with under $5,000 in campaign funds. He said he's happy he forced the Democrats to spend well over $100,000 to beat him.
I'm surprised he received 34 percent of the vote despite his tumultuous past and less than a shoestring budget.
Hanson was the most vulnerable Senator in these recalls and as soon as the Democrats and Doyle’s retired cronies at the GAB removed John Nygren from the ballot, this election was all but a formality.
The happy dance for liberals will be brief.
Jul 20, 2011 at 7:29 a.m.
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Schools districts are slowly realizing that Walkers budget bill is not only saving them money, but allowing them to hire more teachers. Hartford is saving nearly $800,000 by being allowed to switch insurance providers, and after the loss of about $400,000 in state aid, comes out well ahead of where they were before.
.
"Even more dramatic is the well-reported $1.5 million surplus the Kaukauna School District is seeing, a turnaround from a $400,000 deficit. Kaukauna School Board President Todd Arnoldussen reported that the extra money will allow for more teachers, smaller class sizes and more free time available for staff"
.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/125...
Jul 20, 2011 at 7:27 a.m.
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VanderLeest claimed he never used crack cocaine, despite reports. He does have an interesting record on CCAP.
Jul 20, 2011 at 7:26 a.m.
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get ready to go back to tax and spend govt. if we let these liberals get there way. there will be no more money for any body. god help us all
Jul 20, 2011 at 7:19 a.m.
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Solidad - they didn't walk off their jobs. They were the ones DOING their jobs during those three weeks, even at the expense of losing the comfort of their own homes. The senators that remained in Madison were the ones refusing to work for their constituents, refusing any sort of talks or compromise. I look forward to August, when we can gain control of our state back. Next year's recall will be even sweeter.
Jul 20, 2011 at 6:31 a.m.
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Maybe if the Heroic 14 leaving the state had been referred to as an "extraordinary session" it would be thought of as a positive move, as this term seems to work for the republicans when they want to get their way. The recall elections will prove that the majority of the citizens do not want big business to govern our state. I for one am excited at the possibilty of restoring our governing body to one that openly debates, and comes up with decisions that are truly of the people, by the people and for the people.
Jul 20, 2011 at 6:26 a.m.
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Soliddad - My heart bleeds for you, I'll swallow a band-aid later!
Jul 20, 2011 at 5:42 a.m.
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I believe you to be wrong on that. It saddens me that one of the Democrats that left there job for 3 weeks, because they did not like the rules, were allowed to keep their job. It upsets me that the voting public just dismisses the fact that these people walked off their jobs. Regardless of their intentions, They abandoned their elected positions. This in itself shows that If you are rich you can do anything you want without any repercussions. Despite the arguing between everyone, I am looking forward to seeing the outcome.
Jul 20, 2011 at 5:38 a.m.
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So this proves who ever has the most money wins?I guess you can buy elections.
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