Democrats Gain Two Seats Following Recall Elections

Republicans will remain in control of the state Senate after capturing four of the six special recall elections held around the state Tuesday. The recalls were initiated against senators of both parties following a contentious vote to end collective bargaining rights of state employees belonging to labor unions in March.

Long-time Republican 8th District State Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills defeated State Rep. Sandy Pasch of Whitefish Bay in what will likely be the most expensive state Senate race in state history.

Democrat Jessica King will replace Republican Sen. Randy Hopper in the 18th district. It was a tight race, but not as close as the first time the two squared off for the seat in 2008. King, a former Oshkosh deputy mayor, says as a state Senator she'll strive to work with constituents and colleagues. She says, "People want balance in government but they're still concerned about gridlock they want to see things done they realize we're in a recession and obviously that job creation is the issue"

A state Senate seat in northeastern Wisconsin remains in Republican hands.

It was incumbent Republican Robert Cowles' first serious challenge in years. He faced off against onetime Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum, the Democratic challenger. Cowles says he'll work with Democrats, up to a point, "It's important for the state to try to work with people as much as possible now on the overriding principle of balancing the state budget without tax increases I don't see much movement on that."

In the La Crosse area's 32nd Senate district, Democratic State Rep. Jennifer Shilling beat Republican State Sen. Dan Kapanke.

Ripon Republican Luther Olsen fended off a recall challenge in a close race in the 14th Senate district with Assembly Democrat Fred Clark of Baraboo.

Tenth District State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf handily beat out Democratic challenger Shelly Moore.

There are still two recall elections being held next week involving the recall of Democratic State Senators Jim Holperin and Robert Wirch. Another Democrat facing recall, Sen. Dave Hansen, won an earlier recall race. Democrats had to win three seats to swing control of the state Senate in Tuesday's races and failed to do so, meaning the GOP will continue to hold leadership of the governor's office, the Assembly and the Senate regardless of next week's results.

This article first appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio.