Complied by Courier Staff
In Tuesday’s historic recall election, two Republican Senators were defeated by Democrats and 4 barely hung on to their seats. The Democratic wins were not enough to take a majority in the state senate, yet the ability to pick up two seats is still impressive.
Senator-elect Jessica King’s victory over Republican Senator Randy Hopper in the18th Senate District and Senator-elect Jennifer Shilling’s victory over Republican Senator Dan Kapanke in the 32nd Senate District, should not go underestimated or overlooked.
When you look at the time frame that this was done in, and despite Republican tricks of running fake Democrats to force primaries, the Democrats did accomplish something that had never been done in this state.
The national attention that these elections have brought, will still serve as a signal that not working together, and the lack of compromise that the Republicans are demonstrating across the nation have consequences. While the GOP may be celebrating in the media, what they call victories, they must face some reality as well…they are not home free.
In all six races the Democrats carried no less than a 40 percent share of the vote. The four that held on to their seats were held by slim margins in their own districts.And it must be noted that these districts are all heavily Republican. Their challengers had only a couple of months to develop a campaign and challenge them, yet were able to give all of them a tough fight.
Stephanie Finley, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Black Caucus stated that she knows that many in her party may be disappointed in not picking up the third Senate Seat, but with two seats won, the message is still sent that Republicans must work with Democrats. And the next fight is to keep the Democratic Senators Bob Wirch and Jim Holperin seats.
Rep. Sandy Pasch released the following statement following the race: “Against the longest odds, on Republican turf and facing on onslaught of special-interest cash, a coalition of grassroots voters stood an entrenched Republican to a virtual tie. We fell short of our desired result-but tonight was a victory nonetheless. A grassroots coalition sparked by hundreds of impassioned community members worked countless hours on behalf of a belief in Wisconsin as not just a place, but as an idea worthy of preserving. All around the state, Wisconsin voters have stood up to the Scott Walker agenda that put our children, our working families, and our most vulnerable at risk. I’m so proud of the people I’ve met and who have ensured tonight that we will not return to the status quo. I am so proud of a campaign that has ensured that Wisconsin will be heard.”
Once again, questions and concerns were expressed regarding the delay in election results from Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus. Many are wondering how Nickolaus still has her position especially after the election debacle in the State Supreme Court race, where 14,000 votes appeared two days after the election, and resulted in a victory for Justice Prosser.
In her defense, Nickolaus says that she does not touch the ballots, and she has to wait for the results to be sent to her from 29 wards.
Even national news sources such as MSNBC’s The Ed Show, that broadcasted live from Madison through election night questioned the delays from Waukesha County.