2012 Wisconsin Senate recall elections

none 2012 Wisconsin Senate recall elections Wisconsin 250px legislative no 2011 Wisconsin Senate recall elections 2011 (recall) 2012 Wisconsin Senate election 2012 4 of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin State Senate17 seats needed for a majority 2012 06 05 Seats up Races won Sen. Miller (3347648200) (1).jpg Mark Miller Democratic Party of Wisconsin 16th–Monona 6 seats, 40.54% 1 1 127,409 43.3% Sen. Fitzgerald (3523124714) (cropped).jpg Scott Fitzgerald Republican Party of Wisconsin 13th–Juneau 11 seats, 59.11% 3 1 166,528 56.7% Results of the elections:#0671B0 Democratic gain#F48882 Republican hold#CCCCCC No electionVoteshare:Democratic: #7996e2 50–60%Republican: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Wisconsin State Senate Recall 2012.svg President Michael Ellis Republican Party of Wisconsin Fred Risser Democratic Party of Wisconsin 16 17 17 16 January 12, 2011 January 1, 2007 2014 2014 Wisconsin Senate election 2010 2010 Wisconsin Senate election August 2011 The 2012 Wisconsin Senate recall elections were a set of recall elections for four Wisconsin state senators held on June 5, 2012. Four of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin Senate were up for election—all odd-numbered districts. Before the election, four of these seats were held by Republicans. The primary election was held on May 8, 2012. 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. Democrats flipped one Republican-held seat, regaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008. After the elections, Democrats held 17 of 33 seats for the remainder of the 100th Wisconsin Legislature, but no legislative sessions took place during this time. 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.http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/judge-oks-petition-review-extension-june-recall-election/article_67963f84-6de3-11e1-9969-0019bb2963f4.html Judge OKs petition review extension, June 5 recall election Host.madison.com 2012-03-15 2012-06-08 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 SeatsParty(majority caucus shading)TotalDemocraticRepublicanLast election (2010)61117Total after last election (2010)141933Total before this election161733Up for election044of which:Incumbent retiring000Vacated011Unopposed000This election134Change from last election 5 8Total after this election171633Change in total 3 3 Close races Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%: blue State Senate district 21, 1.14% (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 Dist.IncumbentRecall petitionMemberPartyFirst electedSignatures requiredGilbert Craig March 3, 2011 Which state senators are vulnerable to recall? https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/117312973.html/ September 13, 2026 Milwaukee Journal SentinelSignatures approved (%)Status13Scott L. FitzgeraldRep.199416,742green 18,282 (109%)Recall held on June 5.17Dale SchultzRep.1991 (special)14,545red TBDRecall not held.21Van H. WanggaardRep.201015,353green 19,142 (125%)Recall held on June 5.23Terry MoultonRep.201014,958green 18,657 (125%)Recall held on June 5.25Robert JauchDem.198615,270red TBDRecall not held.29Pam GallowayRep.201015,647green 18,511 (118%)Recall held on June 5. 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.March 19, 2012 New recall aimed at lawmakers who voted against mining bill https://www.fox6now.com/news/new-recall-aimed-at-lawmakers-who-voted-against-mining-bill February 16, 2025 FOX6 Milwaukee 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.March 19, 2012 Hayward Republican launches recall against Poplar Democrat Jauch https://www.superiortelegram.com/news/hayward-republican-launches-recall-against-poplar-democrat-jauch February 16, 2025 Superior Telegram The recall effort was ultimately suspended on May 11, with organizers redirecting their attention to supporting Scott Walker in the gubernatorial recall election.May 11, 2012 Group suspends effort to recall Sen. Jauch https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/group-suspends-effort-to-recall-sen-jauch-um5cpge-151158545.html February 16, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel '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.Siegel Robert April 13, 2012 'Fake Democrats' Infiltrate Wis. Primaries https://www.npr.org/2012/04/13/150586643/fake-democrats-infiltrate-wis-primaries February 16, 2025 NPR Polling Dist. Date of poll Candidate Result inmost recent poll Poll information 13 April 13–15 Scott Fitzgerald (R-inc.)54% Conducted by PPPDaily Kos Elections http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/17/1084147/-Wisconsin-state-Senate-recall-polls-paint-a-tough-picture-but-with-one-notable-bright-spot Wisconsin state Senate recall polls paint a tough picture—but with one notable bright spot Daily Kos 2012-04-17 2012-06-08 Lori Compas (D) 40% 21 Van Wanggaard (R-inc.)48% John Lehman (D) 46% 23 Terry Moulton (R-inc.)51% Kristen Dexter (D) 41% 29 Jerry Petrowski (R)51% Donna Seidel 37% 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.Todd Richmond Senate power likely shifts to Dems; Wanggaard ponders recount http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/incomplete-results-suggest-democrats-won-t-take-control-of-senate/article_d58c2808-af8a-11e1-9e0b-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true 2012-06-08 Host.madison.comJack Craver Madison Politiscope: Democrats claim the state Senate — does it matter? http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/politiscope/madison-politiscope-democrats-claim-the-state-senate---does/article_debae2ee-afa2-11e1-803d-0019bb2963f4.html 2012-06-08 The Capital Times Host.madison.com 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.Brendan O'Brien Nov 7, 2012 Wisconsin state Senate switches party for third time in two years https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-campaign-wisconsin-legislature-idUSL1E8M7COX20121107 Reuters Race summary Dist.IncumbentThis raceMemberPartyFirst electedStatusCandidates13Scott L. FitzgeraldRepublican1994Incumbent retained* Republican Party (US) Scott Fitzgerald (Rep.) 58.31% Democratic Party (US)Lori Compas (Dem.) 40.70% Libertarian Party (US)Terry Virgil (Lib.) 0.94%21Van H. WanggaardRepublican2010Incumbent recalled.New member elected.Democratic gain.* Democratic Party (US) John Lehman (Dem.) 50.53% Republican Party (US)Van Wanggaard (Rep.) 49.39%23Terry MoultonRepublican2010Incumbent retained* Republican Party (US) Terry Moulton (Rep.) 56.57% Democratic Party (US)Kristen Dexter (Dem.) 43.29%29--VacantPam Galloway (R) resigned March 16, 2012--Previous incumbent resigned Mar. 16, 2012.New member elected.Republican hold.* Republican Party (US) Jerry Petrowski (Rep.) 61.34% Democratic Party (US)Donna J. Seidel (Dem.) 38.58% 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 13 Democratic recall primary2012 Wisconsin State Senate Recall Primary Election Results https://whs.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_272c911d-5700-4a39-ac22-cf77447f760f/ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board May 18, 2012 Democratic Party (United States) Lori Compas 21,257 71.47Democratic Party (United States) Gary Ellerman 8,213 27.47273 0.9229,743 100.0District 13 recall election2012 Wisconsin State Senate Recall Election Results https://whs.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_5d472371-e9f4-48be-8bc7-d1fd48eee844/ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board July 3, 2012 Republican Party (United States) Scott Fitzgerald 47,146 58.31Democratic Party (United States) Lori Compas 32,909 40.70Libertarian Party (US) Terry Virgil 763 0.9433 0.0480,851 100.0 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.Marley Patrick Bauter Alison June 15, 2012 Wanggaard demands recount in Senate recall race https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/wanggaard-calls-for-recount-in-senate-recall-race-on5pim3-159195905.html February 16, 2025 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 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.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 https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2012/jul/06/robin-vos/wisconsin-rep-robin-vos-says-voter-fraud-accounted/ February 16, 2025 Politifact In the end, Wanggaard conceded to Lehman on July 10, 2012.Kirkby Sean July 15, 2012 Wanggaard concedes race https://badgerherald.com/news/wisconsin/2012/07/15/wanggaard-concedes-r/ February 16, 2025 The Badger HeraldDistrict 21 Democratic recall primary Democratic Party (United States) John Lehman 20,284 67.79Democratic Party (United States) Tamra Varebrook 9,513 31.80122 0.4129,919 100.0District 21 recall election Democratic Party (United States) John Lehman 36,358 50.53 Republican Party (United States) Van H. Wanggaard (incumbent) 35,539 49.39 58 0.08 71,955 100.0 District 23 thumb|268x268px|County results:#E27F7F Moulton—50–60%#D75D5D Moulton—60–70%#7996E2 Dexter—50–60% Republican Terry Moulton ran for re-election. He defeated former Democratic legislator Kristen Dexter in the recall election and was retained in office.District 23 Democratic recall primary Democratic Party (United States) Kristen Dexter 17,651 63.77Democratic Party (United States) James Engel 9,736 35.17292 1.0527,679 100.0District 23 recall election Republican Party (United States) Terry Moulton (incumbent) 39,864 56.57 Democratic Party (United States) Kristen Dexter 30,504 43.29 100 0.14 71,909 100.0 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.District 29 Democratic recall primary Democratic Party (United States) Donna J. Seidel 17,930 63.48Democratic Party (United States) Jim Buckley 10,099 35.75217 0.7728,246 100.0District 29 general election Republican Party (United States) Jerry Petrowski 44,107 61.34 Democratic Party (United States) Donna J. Seidel 27,744 38.58 58 0.08 71,909 100.0 See also 2011 Wisconsin protests 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 2012 Wisconsin elections 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election 2012 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial recall election Notes References External links Elections & Voting https://web.archive.org/web/20121107175743/http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting November 7, 2012 at the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Database of Governor Walker and state senator recall petitions senate recall Wisconsin 2012 Senate Category:Wisconsin Senate elections Wisconsin Senate recall elections Category:June 2012 in the United States