Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Democrats In Wisconsin Gained Two State Senate Seats Assuring Republicans A Majority

State Senator Alberta Darling (R) re-elected

Republicans maintained control of the State Senate 17-16.

By H. Nelson Goodson
August 10, 2011

Thiensville - On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Democrats gained two state Senate seats and came one short from taking control of the Chamber. Two of the Democratic Senators elected were, Jennifer Shilling, 32nd District and Jessica King from the 18th District.
Four Republicans were re-elected to the Senate, Robert Crowles, 2nd District, Sheila Harsdorf, 10 District, Luther Olsen, 14 District and Alberta Darling from the 8th District. Republican Senate incumbents, Randy Hopper, 18th District and Dan Kapanke from the 32nd District were defeated.
Associated Press declared Darling (R-River Hills) the winner with 100% of the precincts reporting, she got 39,471 votes, 54% and Sandy Pasch, (D) with 34,096 votes, 46% just after midnight in the recall elections. Pasch called Darling and conceded the election.
Darling is facing re-election once more in 15 months in 2012. She was first elected to the Senate 1990.
Two Senate Democrats, Bob Wirch, 22nd District and Jim Holperin from the 12th District have recall elections on August 16. Wirch is being challenged by Jonathan Steitz (R) and Holperin is facing Kim Simac (R).
So far, an estimated $6 million has been raised by recall Senators and more than $30 million has been spent in campaign ads by unions, special interest groups and major political parties including the candidates.
The Republicans have been recall for voting to eliminate collective bargaining rights for most state employees. The Democrats were being recall for leaving the state for a month to stall a vote to eliminate union state employees to engage in collective bargaining.
Also on Tuesday, Governor Scott Walker (R) signed into law a Republican Senate redistricting bill (SB-148) that would give an edge to the GOP and creates more Republican voting-age majorities in the state. Walker will be facing a recall himself in November after he completes one year in office. Walker signed into law Act 10, which eliminates most collective bargaining rights for most state employees. Act 10 became effective on June 29, after it was published in the Wisconsin State Journal.
He also signed a two-year budget, which eliminates in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and cuts $800 million from public school districts in the state, but boosts tax credits for businesses.

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