Three More GOP Recall Elections Certified

Three more Wisconsin Republican state senators who voted for Gov. Scott Walker’s union-busting bill to eliminate collective bargaining for public employees will face recall elections this summer.

Yesterday, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board (GAB) certified recall elections for Alberta Darling of River Hills (SD 6), Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls (SD 10)  and Robert Cowles of Green Bay (SD 2).  Last week the board certified recall elections of state Sens. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse (SD 32), Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac (SD 18)  and Luther Olsen of Ripon (SD 14).

In all six cases, community members gathered more than 15,000 signatures for each district to qualify for a recall.  Grassroots volunteers submitted thousands more signatures than were necessary to force a recall elections, proving that in Wisconsin, the energy to restore democracy to the state is stronger than ever. Republicans challenged the signatures, but those claims were tossed out by the board.

Republicans have also have filed recall petitions against three Democratic state senators, Robert Wirch of Pleasant Prairie (SD 22) ,Jim Holperin of Conover (SD 12) and Dave Hansen of Green Bay (SD 30).  The elections have yet to be certified.  GAB delayed making a decision last week in order allow for more time to review the challenges.  After it rules on those petitions, a July election date will be set.