Organizers of an attempt to recall state Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) say they are suspending their efforts until after at least next month. Citizens for Responsible Government, which had been helping with the campaign, says they want to instead focus on defending Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in the June 5th recall election.
CRG officials say the committee will release plans on the future of the recall Jauch effort after the election.
Organizers had until May 18th to collect over 15,000 signatures to trigger a recall. If they re-launch the effort, the state Government Accountability Board says any signatures they’ve collected so far cannot be used. CRG did not disclose how many people had signed the petition since the effort started in March.
The Poplar Democrat was targeted for recall because of his vote against a proposed overhaul of state mining regulations. The bill was aimed at clearing the way for an open pit iron ore mine in Jauch’s district, but it failed to pass in the state Senate this spring after Jauch and Republican Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) voiced objections to the plan.