Wisconsin Recall Success Spreads To Ohio

After seeing the Democrats in Wisconsin taking Governor Scott Walker's working majority away from him, Ohio Governor Kasich has backpedaled from Ohio Senate Bill 5 (Ohio's equivalent to Walker's collective bargaining rights-stripping bill), asking to work with opponents to amend the law instead of continue a voter referendum effort to repeal the entire law. The most recent poll in Ohio showed that Ohio voters favor repealing the law 56% to 32% against. The law was passed essentially the same as ours, without negotiation or any real debate, but now, just like Walker, Kasich is trying to look like he can be bipartisan.

We Are Ohio (Ohio's equivalent to We Are Wisconsin) told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC tonight that Kasich's backpedal is due directly to the success of the recall efforts in Wisconsin, and We Are Wisconsin told Rachel that they agree. The momentum is with the rights of workers and the middle class, no longer the Tea Party, and it's spreading beyond Wisconsin.

All Democrats Retain Seats In Wisconsin Recalls

The AP has called both of today's recall elections for the Democrats, making all three Republican attempts failures. Democratic Senator Dave Hansen retained his seat in the first recall election on July 19. Senators Bob Wirch and Jim Holperin retained their seats following their big wins in today's elections in Senate Districts 12 and 22.

The Democrats were able to remove two Republicans from office in the August 9th recall elections. The Republicans maintain majority in the State Senate, but only by one, leaving Republican Senator Dale Schultz (who voted against Walker's collective bargaining rights-stripping bill) as the "king-maker" for many situations in the future. This should make Walker's anti-worker and anti-middle class policies more difficult to pass from now on, which is exactly what we wanted.

Following are the latest results:

12th Senate District

Jim Holperin, D - 55% (winner)

Kim Simac, R - 45%

95% reporting

22nd Senate District

Bob Wirch, D - 58% (winner)

Jonathan Steitz, R - 42%

100% reporting

Two Successful Recalls of Republicans - Dems Won't Pursue Questions of Irregularities

Earlier, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate said Waukesha County Kathy Nicholaus was sitting on and tampering with votes. Waukesha County had told reporters that they would withhold their results until tomorrow without reason. However, within an hour after the announcement by Tate, Waukesha County has now fully reported, and the AP has called the race for Albert Darling. The Wisconsin Democrats have since issued another statement.

"On Tuesday night, Wisconsin spoke loud and clear with the recall of two entrenched Republicans. This is an accomplishment of historic proportions that I do not wish to be overshadowed by statements regarding results in the 8th Senate District.

Though we believe that Sandy Pasch was able to battle Alberta Darling to a virtual tie, on her turf, we will not pursue questions of irregularities. Those heat-of-the-moment statements came in light of the uncertainties that arose from a recent election, known too well.
The fact of the matter remains, that, fighting on Republican turf, we have begun the work of stopping the Scott Walker agenda."

If there are issues with our elections, they should be investigated whether the results change the election or not, and I believe the Wisconsin Democrats should pursue any questions, not to try to change the election, but to ensure our elections are truly fair and secure. If there are no longer any questions, the Democrats should be clear. The Wisconsin Wave is calling for people to be ready to mobilize Wednesday for possible issues in Waukesha County.

Following are the latest results:

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 60% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 40%

100% reporting

8th Senate District

Alberta Darling, R - 54% (winner)

Sandy Pasch, D - 46%

99% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

100% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)

Fred Clark, D - 48%

100% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 51% (winner)

Randy Hopper, R - 49%

100% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 55% (winner)

Dan Kapanke, R - 45%

100% reporting

Democrat winners will take their seat immediately, removing Senators Randy Hopper and Dan Kapanke. The next battle is to recall Scott Walker so that we can begin restoring and improving Wisconsin.

Recall Elections: Waukesha County Tampering

Following is the statement of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate following evidence of election tampering in the 8th State Senate District race.

"The race to determine control of the Wisconsin Senate has fallen in the hands of the Waukesha County clerk, who has already distinguished herself as incompetent, if not worse. She is once more tampering with the results of a consequential election and in the next hours we will determine our next course of action. For now, Wisconsin should know that a dark cloud hangs over these important results."

As reported earlier, Waukesha County is delaying the reporting of their vote counts until tomorrow for no given reason. 100% of all of the other 5 districts have reported their results. You may remember Waukesha County and Kathy Nicholaus who just happened to lose and then later find enough votes to give the election to the Republican-backed David Prosser in the April Wisconsin Supreme Court race. State Senator Jon Erpenbach told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC tonight that "Waukesha County should have been one of the first counties reporting."

A video of Democratic Party of Wisconsin Spokesman Graeme Zielinski accusing Kathy Nicholaus of tampering with the election has been posted to YouTube.

"This contest has been tampered with by Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nicholaus. We believe that we were up. The Associated Press had us up. She is sitting on votes. We believe right now there are severe irregularities in Waukesha County. Once again, we believe that the very fate of the Wisconsin Senate right now hangs in the balance and is in the hands of a woman who has already shown extreme incompetence and maybe more. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin believes that Kathy Nicholaus is tampering with this election. She is sitting on votes. Our models, our returns, our results show us ahead in this election, this important election, the election that will determine control of the Wisconsin Senate, and we believe that Kathy Nicholaus, a Waukesha Republican and former staffer to Assembly Republicans, who has shown gross incompetence and maybe more in the Supreme Court election is at it again. We believe there are dirty tricks at foot. We believe an investigation is needed, or at least a very good explanation for what looks like she's doing to this election. We'll wait and we'll see what transpires the rest of the night. We might not have any more statements right now. Of course our legal team is exploring all of our legal options right now. We're getting as best information as we can, but right now I can say that it's our belief that the election that will determine control of the Senate is being tampered with."

Update: (12:51pm) Waukesha County has now fully reported, shortly after telling the press they wouldn't fully report results tonight, and the AP has called the race for Alberta "Walker's" Darling. The events late this evening are quite mysterious, but from the Dems latest statement, they won't be pursing an investigation. The Wisconsin Wave is calling for people to be ready to mobilize Wednesday for possible issues in Waukesha County.

Recall Elections: Waukesha County Suspiciously Withholding Election Results

Ed Schultz on MSNBC is reporting that Waukesha County has told reporters that they are withholding their election results until tomorrow. Waukesha County is part of the heated district race between Sandy Pasch and Alberta Darling. John Nichols told Ed that there is no reason for such a delay and that Waukesha County should be able to report as quickly as everyone else.

You may remember Waukesha County and Kathy Nicholaus who just happened to lose and then later find enough votes to give the election to the Republican-backed David Prosser in the April Wisconsin Supreme Court race. This BS was supposed to be resolved after that election, but apparently Wisconsin and the GAB are happy to have a flaky and untrustworthy County Clerk in Kathy Nicholaus. State Senator Jon Erpenbach told Rachel Maddow tonight that "Waukesha County should have been one of the first counties reporting" and is now an issue.

Ed said that several sources have told him this may lead to an investigation to protect the integrity of our elections, and I hope it does. Ed also reported that Democrat Chair Mike Tate has issued a statement saying that Kathy Nicholaus "is tampering with our elections," and they will plan their response in the next hour.

Updated: (11:23pm) Ed Schultz reported that Waukesha County is now telling reporters they won't provide results until some time tomorrow. The delay was originally reported to be one hour. More info here.

Recall Elections: Two Republican Recalls Successful - Darling/Pasch Race Too Close To Call

The AP has called 2 recall elections for the Democrats and 3 Republicans have retained their seats thus far. Democrat Sandy Pasch is leading Alberta Darling in the only race remaining with 52%. If Pasch wins the race, the Democrats will have a majority in the Senate. However, part of the troubled Waukesha County is in that district and is reported behind in counting by John Nichols on MSNBC.

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%

93% reporting

8th Senate District

Sandy Pasch, D - 52%

Alberta Darling, R - 48%

67% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

98% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)

Fred Clark, D - 48%

100% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 51% (winner)

Randy Hopper, R - 49%

100% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 56% (winner)

Dan Kapanke, R- 44%

87% reporting

You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC.

Recall Elections: At Least One Republican Recall Successful - Senate Majority In Reach

The first Republican to fall in the recall elections is Dan Kapanke as the AP called the race for Jennifer Shilling. The AP has also called 3 races for the Republicans: Robert Cowles, Sheila Harsdorf and Luther Olsen. The Democrats lead the 2 uncalled races. If the Democrats win both of those races, they will overtake the majority of the Wisconsin Senate, fulfilling the promise of the recalls (as long as there isn't another Waukesha surprise).

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%

92% reporting

8th Senate District

Sandy Pasch, D - 55%

Alberta Darling, R - 45%

43% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

97% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 52% (winner)

Fred Clark, D - 48%

100% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 50%

Randy Hopper, R - 50%

87% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 55% (winner)

Dan Kapanke, R- 45%

82% reporting

You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC.

Recall Elections: 3 Democrats Needed For Senate Majority Leading Results

In the recall elections for the 6 recalled Republican Senators, the Associated Press has called the races for Robert Cowles and Sheila Harsdorf, while Democrats in 3 other races are leading their recalled opponents. The Democrats need 3 wins to overtake the Senate, the only thing that can help slow down the Walker damage to Wisconsin.

2nd Senate District

Robert Cowles, R - 58% (winner)

Nancy Nusbaum, D - 42%

91% reporting

8th Senate District

Sandy Pasch, D - 56%

Alberta Darling, R - 44%

39% reporting

10th Senate District

Sheila Harsdorf, R - 58% (winner)

Shelly Moore, D - 42%

82% reporting

14th Senate District

Luther Olsen, R - 54%

Fred Clark, D - 46%

96% reporting

18th Senate District

Jessica King, D - 52%

Randy Hopper, R - 48%

23% reporting

32nd Senate District

Jennifer Shilling, D - 54%

Dan Kapanke, R- 46%

82% reporting

You can watch the recall elections results live on MSNBC, continuing through 10pm.

Recall Elections: Republican Senators Cowles and Harsdorf Retain Seats

In the recall elections for the 6 recalled Republican Senators, the Associated Press has called the races for Robert Cowles and Sheila Harsdorf. The Democratic candidates Sandy Pasch and Jennifer Schilling are leading their recalled opponents with 57% and 53% of the vote respectively. The race between Randy Hopper and Jessica King is nearly tied at 50% for each with King slightly ahead. If Pasch, Schilling and King go on to win, the Democrats will take majority of the Wisconsin Senate.

You can watch the recall election results live on MSNBC.

Recall Elections: Early Results In - John Nichols Optimistic

MSNBC is live from Madison, and a few minutes ago John Nichols told Ed Schultz that some polling places were just closing at 9pm from long lines and he's optimistic about the recall elections. The very early results look good for the Republicans, with only Sen. Dan Kapanke losing. However, Nichols said that the rural Republican-leaning districts report first because they have fewer votes to count. So, fewer Democrat-leaning areas have been counted thus far.