The chair of the state’s Democratic party says they’re confident about pending recalls. And Mike Tate said there’s a difference between signatures gathered to force recalls against Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats. “Signatures collected against the Democrats were manufactured, astroturf signatures,” Tate stated during a media conference call on Monday. Recall petitions against Democrats Dave Hansen, Jim Holperin and Bob Wirch have not yet been certified by the Government Accountability Board. Tate said when and if they are, they’ll be ready. “If our Democrats do go to election I am extremely optimistic about our chances,” he said. Tate wouldn’t say whether or not DPW would mount a legal challenge if the Government Accountability Board certifies the petitions against Holperin, Wirch and Hansen. The GAB on Monday did certify recall petitions against three Republicans: Dan Kapanke, Randy Hopper and Luther Olson.
