MILWAUKEE — Democrats won two Wisconsin Senate seats in Tuesday’s historic recall elections, but failed to capture a third seat that would have given them control of the chamber.
By keeping a majority in the Senate, Republicans retained their monopoly on state government because they also hold the Assembly and governor’s office. Tuesday’s elections narrowed their majority — at least for now — from 19-14 to a razor-thin 17-16.
Republicans may be able to gain back some of the losses next week, when two Democrats face recall elections.
Democrats had hoped to block the Republican agenda by taking control of the Senate in the recall elections, but the GOP should be able to continue to advance its agenda.
"I think it’s a huge victory for us," said John Hogan, director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. "Voters gave us a mandate last fall. . . . They backed us up again (Tuesday). Voters told us loud and clear, ’Stay the course. Things are working.’"
But Democrats claimed victory for the two seats they captured from Republicans.
"We went on their turf and we won on Republican turf," said Mike Tate, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "We will not stop, we will not rest . . . until we recall (Gov.) Scott Walker."
Republican Sens. Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper were both defeated by their Democratic challengers, Rep. Jennifer Shilling and Jessica King.
"I look forward to going to Madison to stand up for the working families, seniors and students of Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Blackwolf, Waupun and all across the 18th district," King said in a statement. "Their voices will be once again heard."
Three other Republicans held onto their seats, despite aggressive campaigns put up by their Democratic foes and outside groups backed by unions. Surviving the recalls were Republican Sens. Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen and Rob Cowles.
Darling was declared the winner over Democratic Rep. Sandy Pasch late Tuesday.
Democrats called for the recalls after Walker launched his plan to eliminate most collective bargaining for public workers, and Tuesday’s races were seen as a preview of a plan to force a recall of Walker next year.
Tuesday’s recalls were launched in March, during the turmoil in Madison over Walker’s plan, ultimately successful, to curtail collective bargaining by most public employees. Democrats tried to recall Republicans for that vote, while Republicans tried to recall Democrats for leaving the state for three weeks to block a vote on the issue.
Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen was the first to face a recall election, and he easily survived the challenge last month.
Attention now turns to next week’s recall elections, against Democratic Sens. Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch.
By keeping a majority in the Senate, Republicans retained their monopoly on state government because they also hold the Assembly and governor’s office. Tuesday’s elections narrowed their majority — at least for now — from 19-14 to a razor-thin 17-16.
Democrats had hoped to block the Republican agenda by taking control of the Senate in the recall elections, but the GOP should be able to continue to advance its agenda.
"I think it’s a huge victory for us," said John Hogan, director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate. "Voters gave us a mandate last fall. . . . They backed us up again (Tuesday). Voters told us loud and clear, ’Stay the course. Things are working.’"
But Democrats claimed victory for the two seats they captured from Republicans.
"We went on their turf and we won on Republican turf," said Mike Tate, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "We will not stop, we will not rest . . . until we recall (Gov.) Scott Walker."
Republican Sens. Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper were both defeated by their Democratic challengers, Rep. Jennifer Shilling and Jessica King.
"I look forward to going to Madison to stand up for the working families, seniors and students of Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Blackwolf, Waupun and all across the 18th district," King said in a statement. "Their voices will be once again heard."
Three other Republicans held onto their seats, despite aggressive campaigns put up by their Democratic foes and outside groups backed by unions. Surviving the recalls were Republican Sens. Alberta Darling, Sheila Harsdorf, Luther Olsen and Rob Cowles.
Darling was declared the winner over Democratic Rep. Sandy Pasch late Tuesday.
Democrats called for the recalls after Walker launched his plan to eliminate most collective bargaining for public workers, and Tuesday’s races were seen as a preview of a plan to force a recall of Walker next year.
Tuesday’s recalls were launched in March, during the turmoil in Madison over Walker’s plan, ultimately successful, to curtail collective bargaining by most public employees. Democrats tried to recall Republicans for that vote, while Republicans tried to recall Democrats for leaving the state for three weeks to block a vote on the issue.
Democratic Sen. Dave Hansen was the first to face a recall election, and he easily survived the challenge last month.
Attention now turns to next week’s recall elections, against Democratic Sens. Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch.
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