Democrats Hold Both Seats in Final Wisconsin Recall Elections

By Sean Sullivan
In the year's final two recall elections in Wisconsin on Tuesday, both Democratic state senators retained control of their seats, keeping Republicans from padding their narrow 17-16 advantage in the upper chamber.

With 78 percent of precincts reporting in District 12, the Associated Press has called the race for state Sen.Jim Holperin, who leads his GOP challenger Kim Simac 54 percent to 46 percent. Going into the evening, most of the focus was on Holperin's race, as Republicans saw the best chance for a pickup there.

Earlier Tuesday, Democratic state Sen. Robert Wirch held his 22nd District seat, turning back his GOP opponent, attorney Jonathan Steitz on Tuesday. With 99 percent of precincts in the district reporting, the AP has called the race for Wirch, who leads Steitz 57 percent to 43 percent.

Wirch and Holperin are the second and third Democrats who faced recall elections to retain control of their seats. In July, state Sen. Dave Hansen held onto his seat in the 30th District.

"I am proud to continue to represent the people of the Kenosha region," Wirch said. "The future of Wisconsin depends on the strength of our working, middle class families and I look forward to returning to Madison with two new Democratic senators to enact a moderate, Wisconsin agenda that supports them."

In total, six Republicans and three Democrats faced recall elections this summer in an expensive battle that by one estimate brought in upwards of $35 million in total spending. Democrats retained control in the three districts where they faced recalls, and picked up two GOP-held seats. But they fell short of their ultimate goal: taking control of the upper chamber, a result that was a blow to the effort put forth by labor and other Democratic allies who invested heavily in the races.

Both sides sought to claim victory Tuesday.

"The victories tonight of Senators Wirch and Holperin cap off successful recall elections this summer for Democrats, progressives, moderates, and independents," said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate. "Democrats won more races, recalled two Republican senators, protected every Democratic incumbent, shifted the balance of power in the state Senate away from conservatives, and forced Walker and the GOP to pay public lip service to moderation and bipartisanship for the first time since they took power in January. All of these facts show that voters gave Democrats the overall victory in this summer's historic senate recall elections."

"With the union-orchestrated recall madness over, taxpayers can rest assured that Republicans were victorious, maintaining the majority in the Wisconsin Senate despite Democrat guarantees of victory," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement. "Now, Wisconsin Republicans can continue proactively addressing the real issues facing Wisconsinites by focusing on job creation and getting the state's fiscal house in order."