The June 5 recall election between Gov. Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett may grab the most attention, but the lieutenant governor and four state Senate recall elections could also decide Wisconsin’s political leaning for years to come.
The Democratic candidates for governor who lost in Tuesday’s primary quickly got behind Barrett, who received 58 percent of the vote. The four candidates got together Wednesday morning at Barrett’s Milwaukee home in a display of unity
But all five Democratic candidates, including protest candidate Gladys Huber, received about as many combined votes as Walker, who had an essentially uncontested primary. UW-Madison College Republicans Chair Jeff Snow said such a huge turn out for Walker is “significant.”
“It shows the base is definitely excited to support Walker,” Snow said.
June’s election will be a rematch of the 2010 gubernatorial election, which Walker defeated Barrett 52 to 47 percent. The two candidates were tied in a recent Marquette Law School poll.
While the gubernatorial race has grabbed the most attention, the lieutanant governor and four Republican state Senators are also facing recall elections June 5, the outcomes of which could decide whether Democrats or Republicans are in control.
If Democrats win just one of the four recall elections, they will take control of the state Senate, which is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, with one empty seat.
Republican Senate Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, will face protestor Lori Compas, Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, will face John Lehman, Terry Moulton, R-Chippewa Falls, will go against Kristen Dexter, and Republican Jerry Petrowski and Democrat Donna Seidel will challenge each other for the 29th Senate district. Republican Pam Galloway was originally targeted for recall in the that district, but later decided to resign for personal reasons.
The latest Public Policy Polling polls show the Republicans with double-digit leads over Democratic candidates in all state Senate races except the one between Wanggaard and Lehman.
Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin President Mahlon Mitchell will face current Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.
“Every day I serve, I’ll make sure that the people will have a say in our policy decisions, because Wisconsin’s citizens deserve no less,” Mitchell said following his win in the primary election.
Mitchell was a leader during the protests that consumed the Capitol last year following the passage of controversial Republican-backed legislation.
