Republican asks for recount in Senate recall election

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State Senate Republican Van Wanggaard of Racine asked elections officials Friday, June 15, morning to recount the ballots which showed him losing his recall election from June 5.

Should his defeat hold up, Democrats would assume control of the Senate at least until November, when half the Senate is up for re-election.

A canvass this week showed that Wanggaard lost to Democrat John Lehman by 834 votes out of 72,000 cast.

Republicans claimed there were voting irregularities. Racine County sheriff’s deputies are investigating reports of problems at a Racine polling place and suspicious voter registration documents.

In a statement, Wanggaard said he talked to numerous officials and voters before deciding to seek the recount. He denies doing it as a stalling tactic.

Democrats say Wanggaard should just concede and stop delaying the inevitable.

State elections officials will certify the ballot next week, and then the recount can begin. Because the margin is more than 0.5 percent, Wanggaard will have to pay $5 a ward, or $685. If the cost is higher, taxpayers will pick it up.

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