Dan Kapanke Recall Effort Garners Sufficient Signatures, Wisconsin Democrats Say

Democrats in Wisconsin say they have collected sufficient signatures to recall state Senator Dan Kapanke, a Republican, over his vote to restrict collective bargaining rights for state workers, the Lacrosse Tribune reports.

Kapanke is one of eight GOP legislators targeted by Democrats for supporting a controversial anti-union bill signed into law by Governor Scott Walker. The measure is not currently in effect as a Wisconsin judge examines the process by which it was advanced and approved. The AP reports:

Having declared that Wisconsin's divisive union law isn't really a law yet, a judge was set to return to one of the underlying questions dogging the measure - whether Republicans violated the state's open meetings law during the frenzied run-up to passage.

Republican Gov. Scott Walker's administration reluctantly suspended efforts to enact the law Thursday after Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi unexpectedly declared the measure hadn't been properly published. The move marked another round in a messy legal fight over the law, which requires most public workers to pay more for their benefits and strips away most of their collective bargaining rights.

The Tribune reports on the effort from La Crosse area Democrats to recall Kapanke from office:

Recall organizer Pat Scheller said volunteers have gathered more than the 15,588 signatures needed and that they plan to take them to Madison after a noon rally today at La Crosse City Hall.

It is expected to be the first completed of 19 active recall efforts registered between Feb. 24 and March 2 against 16 senators.

Kapanke did not return messages Thursday, but has said the recall is "part of the process."

Hotline On Call reports:

Meanwhile, The La Crosse County Republican Party is already preparing for a recall election to oust Kapanke, and county chair has said he thinks it's a "foregone conclusion that they're going to get the signatures that they need."

Last Saturday, Kapanke reportedly said, "I love campaigns. I just didn't think I'd do one every year."

Comments

[allen8us]

07:33 PM on 04/06/2011

Great job Wisconsin, the MAJORITY of the country is behind you, and we will soon bulldoze over the GOP/TP/Koch $ucker MINORITY to help save this country from going back to the 1920's. Great job, keep it up!!!!!

[Mattie]

06:31 PM on 04/06/2011

Go Wisconsin, the middle class of America is with you! Great job last night, now get the rest in a recall.

[fg159]

06:15 PM on 04/06/2011

We have turned the tide. Wisconsin voters keep it going

[hottingers]

06:10 PM on 04/06/2011

One down seven to go.........................eight including Walker.

[Hillbilly49]

05:29 PM on 04/06/2011

This house cleaning is house cleaning is long over due.

[Left on Red]

04:33 PM on 04/06/2011

From a friend of mine. I think it expresses the sentiment many in WI feel.

http://youcannothavemystate.com/

[Celia Woodard]

06:56 PM on 04/06/2011

This site is the perfect answer to many things that are going on in this country. Thanks for publishing it.

[Left on Red]

07:30 PM on 04/06/2011

Thanks, help to circulate the sentiment. I think it says a lot about the current political climate.

[rnl52]

07:31 PM on 04/06/2011

Excellent!

[YOKEL13]

02:59 PM on 04/06/2011

In order to expedite the recall process, winning candidates should automatically be recalled after six months, unless their constituents endorse them by a vote of confidence.

[HotSpringsSteve]

02:19 PM on 04/06/2011

Recall all of them. Every person that in any way supported this.

[tmpl8]

01:03 PM on 04/06/2011

As the recalls begin, you will hear these KOCH Republic Party officials decry their own vote and claim they wouldn't do it again. Don't let them off the hook, keep the pressure on until they are out of office http://RecallTheRepublican8.com/

[IndependentMeans]

12:51 PM on 04/06/2011

Go WI. They only know acknowledge smack downs.

[daward2]

12:48 PM on 04/06/2011

Kapanke: "I love campaigns. I just didn't think I'd do one every year."

Stinks to be a public official held accountable for your actions, don't it?

[slogward]

12:33 PM on 04/06/2011

RESTRICTING UNION RIGHTS WAS HOW MURDOCH GOT STARTED....AND LOOK WHERE HE IS TODAY - IN THE DOCK AT LAST!

NEW DETAILS ON HACKGATE ARRESTS AND THE SCANDAL'S NEXT PHASE....

http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/hackgate-day-81-murdoch-retreats-behind-another-line/

[FreedomFreedomFreedom]

12:31 PM on 04/06/2011

Wisconsin Democrats deserve both praise and derision. Praise for making the effort to force a recall vote and derision for having to force a recall vote. If they had gone out and voted in November 2010 then none of this would have happened. And the BEST progressive Senator America has had in decades, Russ Feingold, would STILL be in Washington fighting against the corporate state of the Koch boys. So even though they may remove from Republicans from office in Wisconsin, America will still suffer because of the lose of Feingold. Shame on Wisconsin Democrats for being so foolish. Did you think the Tea Party was just blowing smoke when they said they would create a Conservative Corporate State?

[FreedomFreedomFreedom]

12:32 PM on 04/06/2011

What guidelines were violated? My comment was removed before it was even posted!

[IndependentMeans]

12:53 PM on 04/06/2011

That happens all the time it seems. I have started visiting Talking Points Memo where you don't have to worry about it. Their news is spot on too.

[IndependentMeans]

12:52 PM on 04/06/2011

f/f

[me again]

08:50 AM on 04/06/2011

Adios.......

[IndependentMeans]

12:54 PM on 04/06/2011

mi Amigo.......f/f