Republicans seem poised to win a majority of seats as results from the Wisconsin recall election as unofficial results are currently favoring Wisconsin Republicans.
At least three Republican incumbents who supported Wisconsin governor Scott Walker’s controversial push to limit collective bargaining rights held off Democratic challengers in recall elections Tuesday. Republican state Sen. Robert Cowles defeated Democratic challenger Nancy Nussbaum in a race that was called less than a hour after polls closed. Unofficial results in Tuesday’s election show Mr. Cowles leading with 58 percent of the vote compared with 42 percent for Ms. Nusbaum with 81 percent of precincts reporting.
“When this recall process was first triggered, I said that I stand by my record. Today was a victory for the taxpayers of Northeast Wisconsin. I pledge to continue my work controlling spending, cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in government, and creating an environment to grow and retain good-paying jobs.” Mr. Cowles said in a statement.
The Associated Press also called two additional races for Republicans, including state Senator Sheila Harsdorf in District 10 and Senator Luther Olsen in Senate District 14.
Meanwhile, Democrat Jennifer Shilling defeated incumbent Republican Senator Dan Kapanke. She is the first Democrat to win on Tuesday. Unofficial results show Shilling captured 55 percent of the vote compared with 45 percent for Kapanke.
The recall election comes just months after Mr. Walker signed the controversial collective bargaining bill into law. The election comes as Mr. Walker privately signed legislation to redraw their boundaries along with the remaining legislative districts, a move that is likely to stall any electoral victories by Democrats.
Democrats will have to win the two remaining seats to have a chance to take over the Senate from Republicans, however, those races remained too close to call, according to unofficial results. Both Democrats and Republicans have poured millions of dollars into efforts to recall and defend the six Republican lawmakers, with candidates themselves raising an additional $5 million in contributions.
Besides the six Republicans on Tuesday’s ballot, two Democratic incumbents face recalls next week. A third Democrat survived a recall attempt last month.
