Lehman Declares Victory, Wanggaard Waits For Final Results
— WRJN News (@WRJNNews) June 6, 2012
In the end, Lehman declared winner. By less than 1,000 votes. Wanggaard could still request a recount, but he may have to pay for it.
— Tami Hughes (@tamihughesnews) June 6, 2012
Thank you to my family and all the supporters and friends that met me on the trail today. pic.twitter.com/Keagf79Y
— Van Wanggaard (@Vanwanggaard) June 5, 2012
GOP Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, and three of four GOP state senators targeted by Big Labor triumphed in their recall fights on Tuesday night. One remained — and along with it, the balance of the Wisconsin state legislature.
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the race was deemed too close to call (though Dems went ahead and declared victory).
Control of the state Senate appeared to have been wrested from Republican control early Wednesday as late results showed former state Sen. John Lehman beating incumbent Sen. Van Wanggaard by less than 1,000 votes.
With all wards reporting, Lehman came out on top with 36,255 votes to Wanggaard’s 35,476 in preliminary returns. It was unclear early Wednesday if there would be a recount of the vote.
Lehman declared victory, although Wanggaard refused to concede, saying he will review the results.
Though taking control of the Senate is a huge moral victory for the Democrats, they won’t be able to do much with it, at least for a while. The Legislature isn’t scheduled to convene again until January, and Democrats will have to defend their majority in November’s elections.
But Democrats will be able to block any Republican legislation should Walker call for a special session of the Legislature. And if the Democrats maintain their majority, it would make life politically difficult for Walker for the first time; his fellow Republicans have controlled both the state Assembly and Senate since he took office in January 2011.
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