Wanggaard Says Race Is Too Close To Call
Sen. Van Wanggaard and his supporters left their election night party about one hour before former Sen. John Lehman declared victory. If the win holds when all the votes are counted, Wanggaard would be the only Republican who lost in the recalls.
UPDATED 1:08 a.m.: The definitive answer to who won the 21st Senate seat was not answered in Sen. Van Wannggaard's mind, even though John Lehman declared himself the winner of the race.
With all City of Racine locations reporting, Lehman retained his lead 31,410 to 31.092, according to numbers tallied by Patch using figures from the county and the City of Racine. Wanggaard and supporters were at Buona Vita tonight waiting to see if he will keep his seat following the recall election.
"The numbers are so close," Wanggaard said to a dwindling crowd at about midnight. "We don't really know where we're at."
Wanggaard told the crowd that they would see what the officials were in the morning and decide what their options are in the morning.
"I want to thank everyone who had a part in this campaign," he said.
Earlier in the evening, at Wanggaard's party, the crowd erupted after they found out that Gov. Scott Walker is the projected winner and started chanting for Wanggaard. We're also hearing unconfirmed reports that the power is out at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Wanggaard said he spent the day talking to business owners and his constituents.
"It was a very positive day. A lot of people were charged up," Wanggaard said. "A lot weren't happy that we were even having the recall."
Former Sen. John Lehman is the challenger. Wanggaard was elected over then-incumbent Lehman in November 2010. When enough signatures were turned in to force a recall, Lehman declared candidacy for his old seat.
Also on the ballot today were recall elections for Gov. Scott Walker, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and three other state senators. Polls are open until 8 p.m.
James R Hoffa
6:28 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
VAN is the MAN!!!
Tonight, the people of the 21st District will choose moving Wisconsin Forward as opposed to returning to the tax and spend policies of John Lehman that cost our district a lot of jobs!
WANGGAARD to victory!!!
James R Hoffa
10:52 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Any word as to what's taking so long for the results from the County to come in?
Bill S.
11:05 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
11 pm 28% REPORTING. Van Wangaard 60%. Lehman 40%
Racine Progressive
12:14 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Lehman has pulled ahead. Looks like Lehman is the man...
Beckycpa
12:48 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Democrats are probably looking for "missing" ballots in their cars like Al Frankin did a few years ago in order to secure "victory"...
Eric
1:30 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Here comes a Recount just over 300 vote difference.
James R Hoffa
2:10 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Lehman is up by 779 votes.
What a sad result for Racine County!
Can't wait for the new maps to go into effect so that the rest of the County can dump the City of Racine from this senate seat!
As long as all absentee ballots are accounted for, no recount is necessary.
Garth Strand
8:29 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
how long do we have to wait before we can recall lehman?
asdhash@kk.ll.com
11:54 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Racine needs to suffer under Lehman like an anchor to the bottom. They love high taxes and green jobs. Racine will lead the nation in green jobs by 3012, but they will suffer until then.
James R Hoffa
12:47 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It's not worth recalling him, as he'd never survive in the new district anyway, so just wait to vote him out in 2014. Better to focus on winning back the senate majority in the new districts this November, which we can do before Lehman even has a chance to cast a 'nay' vote.
My only concern is that when we do win back the senate majority, Lehman might take the other Dems up to Canada this time instead of down to IL, as he is intimately familiar with such tactic and the lands north of our border!