Organizers fail to collect the necessary signatures by today’s deadline, so state Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) won’t be facing a recall election.
“With all the phone calls, door-to-door, standing outside of polling places and out of retail outlets, I was a little bit surprised that they couldn’t find 20,000 either liberal or uninformed people to sign these petitions.”
Grothman was being targeted for recall following is vote in favor of Governor Walker’s so-called collective bargaining bill. Organizers needed just over 20,000 valid signatures to force a recall election against Grothman; they fell short by about 5,000.
“I think it’s a testament to the common sense of the people in the 20th district that they turned down these people, many or most of which were from outside the district.”
Grothman says now he can focus on the job he was elected to do.
Sixteen senators had been targeted for recall as a result of the state budget battle — eight Republicans and eight Democrats. After most deadlines have passed, six Republican and three Democrats are certain to face recall elections; deadlines for two Democrats are upcoming: Mark Miller on the 4th and Julie Lassa on the 16th.
Today is also the deadline for signatures against Republican Mary Lazich, New Berlin. As of our deadline, the 20,973 necessary signatures were not submitted to GAB.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:11
List of those facing recall election: Rob Cowles (R), Alberta Darling (R), Shelia Harsdorf (R), Jim Holperin (D), Luther Olsen (R), Randy Hopper (R), Bob Wirch (D), Dave Hansen (D), and Dan Kapanke (R). The deadlines for signatures for Mark Miller (D) is May 4th, Jule Lassa (D) is May 16th.