Tea-Publican Tyranny in Wisconsin: Democrats 1-0 in Recalls

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen (Green Bay) is one of three Democrats targeted for recall by Tea-Publicans in Wisconsin. He was thought to be among the most vulnerable of the three Democrats, but his principal Tea-Publican rival failed to collect enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot (sound familiar?), and he was left to face a Tea-Publican candidate with a criminal record. Which makes you wonder about the mentality of the people who actually voted for that guy. Hansen will keep Senate seat after recall attempt fails:

A Democratic state senator from Wisconsin easily survived a recall election Tuesday that gave voters their most direct opportunity yet to react to a Republican-backed law that stripped most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Sen. Dave Hansen easily defeated Republican recall organizer David VanderLeest, collecting 66 percent of the vote with 99 percent of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results Tuesday night.

Hansen was the first of nine state senators set for recall elections to face voters amid the fallout from the bitter fight surrounding Republican Gov. Scott Walker's collective-bargaining plan, which attracted national attention and tens of thousands of protesters to the Wisconsin Capitol earlier this year.

The other eight lawmakers – six Republicans and two Democrats – will face recall elections next month.

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Hansen entered his race with a major cash advantage, raising $318,000 since April, while VanderLeest raised $2,000. VanderLeest was also vulnerable because of a criminal record that included convictions in 2006 on two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct.

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Hansen was the first to face a general election because his challenger had no opposition from his own party, meaning there was no primary. Though primaries were held Tuesday for Republicans challenging the other two Democratic senators. Sen. Bob Wirch will face business attorney Jonathan Steitz, while Sen. Jim Holperin will be opposed by tea party organizer Kim Simac.

One down, eight to go. The main event is August 9 when six Tea-Publican senators stand for recall. On Wisconsin!