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2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election

January 01, 1970

The 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election was a special election to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. It resulted in voters re-electing incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker over the Democratic candidate Tom Barrett by a larger margin than he had in 2010, in which Walker had also faced Barrett. Recall organizers opposed Walker's agenda, particularly his limiting of collective bargaining rights for state employees[1] and they collected over 900,000 signatures to initiate the recall election process.[1] There was also a recall for Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. She won her race, defeating Democrat Mahlon Mitchell, making her the first lieutenant governor to run in and survive a recall.[2]

2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election
← 2010 June 5–6, 2012 2014 →
Turnout57.8% ( 8.1%)
 
Nominee Scott Walker Tom Barrett
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,335,585 1,164,480
Percentage 53.1% 46.3%
Walker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Barrett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      50%      No data
Governor before election

Scott Walker
Republican

Elected Governor

Scott Walker
Republican

The Democratic primaries took place on May 8. The recall elections were held June 5[3] with Walker defeating Barrett. Walker was thus the first U.S. governor to continue in office after facing a recall election.[4]

Four state senate recall elections took place the same day as the gubernatorial recall elections, resulting in two wins by Republican incumbents, one open seat win by a Republican, and one win by a Democratic challenger, giving Democrats control of the state Senate.[5]

The recall election was just the third gubernatorial recall election in U.S. history and the first one in which the incumbent was not defeated.[6] The other recall elections were the 1921 North Dakota gubernatorial recall election (which successfully recalled Lynn Frazier), the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election (which successfully recalled Gray Davis), and the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election (which failed to recall Gavin Newsom).

This is the last gubernatiorial election in which the Republican candidate won the counties of Eau Claire, Sauk, Green, and Vernon.

Voter turnout in the election was 57.8 percent, the highest for a gubernatorial election not on a presidential ballot in Wisconsin history.[7] The election was widely covered on national television.

Background edit

Pre-certification recall campaign edit

 
Protests in the Capitol, February 14, 2012
 
Recall organizers collecting petition signatures from motorists in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in November 2011
 
Petition signatures being collected in Madison, Wisconsin in November 2011

Incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker faced a recall effort beginning in November 2011. After the contentious collective bargaining dispute,[8] Walker's disapproval ratings varied between 50 and 51% while his approval ratings varied between 47% and 49% in 2011.[9][10]

Wisconsin law made Walker ineligible for recall until at least January 3, 2012, one year after he first took office, and the Wisconsin Democratic Party called it a "priority" to remove him from office.[11] In the first half of 2011, Walker raised more than $2,500,000 from supporters.[12][13] Walker raised $5.1 million in the second half of 2011 to battle his recall.[14]

In less than half of the allotted time (60 days) to collect signatures, recall organizers report collecting more than 500,000 signatures, leaving roughly one month left to collect the remaining 40,000 signatures needed to force a recall vote. On January 17, 2012, United Wisconsin, the coalition that spearheaded the recall effort, along with the Democratic Party, said that one million signatures were collected, which far exceeded the 540,208 needed, and amounted to 23 percent of the state's eligible voters, 46 percent of the total votes cast in the 2010 gubernatorial election and just shy of the 1.1 million votes earned by Walker.[15]

On January 25, 2012, a poll released by the Marquette University Law School predicted that Walker would win a recall election against potential candidates Tom Barrett, Kathleen Falk, David Obey or Tim Cullen.[16][17] This compared to a poll released by Public Policy Polling in October 2011 that also predicted Walker would win a recall election against Barrett, Falk, Peter Barca, Steve Kagen or Ron Kind. The poll also showed that more people opposed (49%) than supported (48%) the recall effort.[18]

In February 2012, Walker's campaign made an additional request for more time for the petition signatures to be verified, stating that between 10 and 20% of the signatures reviewed to that point should not be counted. Democrats argued that even if 20% of the signatures were not counted there were still 300,000 more than the required number needed to initiate the recall. Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski argued Walker was just "delaying the inevitable." Additionally, in the period while signatures were being verified Barrett and Walker were able to collect unlimited campaign donations because normal campaign fundraising limits do not apply until an election is ordered.[19] On February 17, 2012, Dane County judge Richard Niess, who also signed the petition, denied Walker's request for additional time.[20]

In March Milwaukee city officials asked Milwaukee Public Schools to contribute nearly $10 million more to the pension plan because of financial market downturns. The teachers' union, school board and the superintendent asked the legislature for the opportunity to negotiate to reduce costs.[21] Milwaukee schools didn't take part in a 90-day window that had since closed, which allowed unions and municipal employees to make contract adjustments. The Assembly and Senate agreed to allow Milwaukee schools to reopen negotiations for compensation or fringe-benefit concessions without nullifying existing union contracts. The measure giving them 90 days passed the Assembly and Senate. Governor Scott Walker supported the measure. Other teachers' unions asked Milwaukee to withdraw its request, saying it would give Walker a political advantage in the recall election.[22]

Certification edit

On March 29, 2012, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board released its final signature counts for the Walker recall petition. The GAB reported that 931,053 signatures were officially turned in, although the proponents had stated that approximately one million signatures were collected. Of that number, 26,114 were struck by GAB staff for various reasons and an additional 4,001 duplicates were struck. The final total certified by the GAB was 900,938 signatures.[23]

Controversies edit

Twenty-nine circuit court judges in Wisconsin signed recall petitions against Gov. Walker, according to a Gannett Wisconsin Media analysis.[24] Among the signers was Dane County Judge David Flanagan, who was scrutinized after issuing a temporary restraining order March 6 against a Walker-backed voter ID law without disclosing his support of the recall.[25] None of the state's sixteen appeals court judges or seven Supreme Court justices signed the recall petition. The state Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion in 2001 saying judges are allowed to sign nominating petitions, as long as the petition language only supports putting the candidate on the ballot and does not imply an endorsement.[24] The Landmark Legal Foundation requested an investigation to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission regarding allegations of misconduct by the judges in question.[citation needed]

It was later learned that 25 journalists at Gannett had also signed the recall petition. The newspaper group revealed the signatures in the interest of being as open as possible. Genia Lovett, representative for the organization, stated that journalists have a right to hold opinions, but must protect the credibility of their respective news organizations.[26]

Other media organizations had staff who signed the recall petition.[27] Rob Starbuck, the morning news anchor for Madison, Wisconsin, television station WISC-TV, signed the Walker recall petition. The station stated that the signing was in violation of the station's policy for newsroom employees. Television stations WISN, WTMJ, WITI, WDJT and radio station WTMJ in Milwaukee discovered that some staff members signed petitions to recall Walker. Some employees at WTMJ claimed signing the recall petition was not a political act, but rather, similar to casting a vote. WTMJ stated it did not agree and indicated they would take measures to make sure their reporting was fair and balanced, and to ensure no future similar controversies. The WITI television journalist who had signed the petition was reassigned and prohibited from covering Walker-related stories.[28][29]

The cost of the recall election had also drawn criticism. An estimate provided by the state Government Accountability Board showed a cost of $9 million for a statewide election. Since a primary election was also conducted for this race, Representative Robin Vos estimated the cost would be double, around $18 million.[30]

 
Results of the Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary on May 8, 2012. Red counties had more votes for Walker than all Democrats combined. Blue counties had more votes for all Democrats combined than Walker.

Costs and spending edit

The recall elections were the most expensive elections in Wisconsin history.[31] According to the advocacy group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, candidates and outside groups spent more than $80 million in the governor's recall race. This compares to $37.4 million spent on the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.[32]

According to USA Today, "More than $62 million was spent by the candidates and outside groups. Much of the $30 million raised by Walker came from outside the state. Barrett ... spent about $4 million; most of his donors live in Wisconsin."[33] Barrett also benefited from spending by labor unions throughout the recall, estimated at another $20 million. [citation needed] Kathleen Falk, who was defeated by Barrett in the Democratic primary raised about $5.2 million from public-sector unions inside and outside the state. The cost of the recall elections for the governor and lieutenant governor to Wisconsin taxpayers was $18 million.[32]

Republican primary edit

Candidates edit

Endorsements edit

Scott Walker

Results edit

Republican primary results[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Walker (incumbent) 626,538 96.92
Republican Arthur Kohl-Riggs 19,920 3.08
Total votes 646,458 100.00

Democratic primary edit

 
Barrett celebrating his May 8th victory in the Democratic primary

Candidates edit

Declared edit

Declined edit

Endorsements edit

Tom Barrett
Kathleen Falk

Polling edit

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Tom
Barrett 		Kathleen
Falk 		Doug
La Follette 		Kathleen
Vinehout 		Undecided
Marquette University April 26–29, 2012 451 ± 4% 48% 21% 8% 6% 19%
Public Policy Polling April 13–15, 2012 810 ± 3.4% 38% 24% 9% 6% 22%
Marquette University March 22–25, 2012 373 ± 5.1% — 54% 15% 12% 19%
36% 29% 8% 8% 18%
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 425 45% 18% 14% 6% 17%
— 41% 23% 13% 22%

Results edit

 
Primary results by county:
Barrett
  •   Barrett—71-80%
  •   Barrett—61-70%
  •   Barrett—51-60%
  •   Barrett—41-50%
  •   Barrett—31-40%
Falk
  •   Falk—51-60%
  •   Falk—41-50%
  •   Falk—31-40%
Democratic primary results[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Barrett 390,109 58.20
Democratic Kathleen Falk 228,940 34.16
Democratic Kathleen Vinehout 26,926 4.02
Democratic Douglas La Follette 19,461 2.90
Democratic Gladys Huber 4,842 0.72
Total votes 670,278 100

General Election edit

Candidates edit

Campaign edit

In April the Milwaukee Police Association and Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association unions endorsed Governor Walker in the recall election.[96] After Barrett won the Democratic primary, Walker stated, "As Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett enters the general election in his soon to be third statewide losing campaign, he will surely find that his record of raising taxes and promises to continue to do so will not resonate with voters."[97] After his primary victory Barrett said, "We cannot fix Wisconsin with Walker as governor, this election is not about fighting past battles, it is about moving forward together to create jobs and get our economy moving again."[98]

Debates edit

 
Barrett (left) and Walker (right) debating on May 31
  • Complete video of debate, May 25, 2012 - C-SPAN
  • Complete video of debate, May 31, 2012 - C-SPAN

Polls edit

Key
DV Decided voters
LV Likely voters
RV Registered voters
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Tom
Barrett (D) 		Other Undecided
We Ask America June 3, 2012 1,570 LV ± 2.5% 54% 42% — 4%
Public Policy Polling June 2–3, 2012 1,226 LV ± 2.8% 50% 47% — 3%
Angus Reid Public Opinion May 30 – June 2, 2012 507 DV ± 4.4% 53% 47% — —
Marquette University May 23–26, 2012 600 LV ± 4.1% 52% 45% — 3%
We Ask America May 23, 2012 1,409 LV ± 2.61% 54% 42% — 4%
St. Norbert College May 17–22, 2012 406 LV ± 5% 50% 45% — 5%
Reason-Rupe May 14–18, 2012 609 LV ± 4% 50% 42% — 6%
We Ask America May 13, 2012 1,219 LV ± 2.81% 52% 43% — 5%
Public Policy Polling May 11–13, 2012 833 LV ± 3.4% 50% 45% 2% 3%
Marquette University May 9–12, 2012 600 LV ± 4.1% 50% 44% — 3%
Rasmussen Reports May 9, 2012 500 LV ± 4.5% 50% 45% 2% 2%
Marquette University April 26–29, 2012 705 RV ± 4% 46% 47% 3% 4%
628 LV 47% 46% 3% 4%
Public Policy Polling April 13–15, 2012 1,136 ± 2.9% 50% 45% 2% 3%
Marquette University March 22–25, 2012 707 ± 3.7% 47% 45% 3% 5%
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 46% 49% — 5%
Marquette University January 19–22, 2012 701 ± 3.7% 50% 44% 2% 4%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 48% 46% — 6%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Generic Democrat Other Undecided
Marist March 26–27, 2012 2,792 ± 1.9% 46% 48% — 6%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Kathleen
Falk (D) 		Other Undecided
Marquette University April 26–29, 2012 705 ± 4% 49% 42% 6% 3%
Public Policy Polling April 13–15, 2012 1136 ± 2.9% 50% 43% 3% 3%
Marquette University March 22–25, 2012 707 ± 3.7% 49% 45% 2% 5%
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 47% 48% — 5%
Marquette University January 19–22, 2012 701 ± 3.7% 49% 42% 2% 6%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 49% 41% — 10%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Doug
La Follette (D) 		Other Undecided
Marquette University April 26–29, 2012 705 ± 4% 49% 40% 7% 4%
Public Policy Polling April 13–15, 2012 1136 ± 2.9% 51% 40% 3% 6%
Marquette University March 22–25, 2012 707 ± 3.7% 49% 42% 3% 6%
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 46% 45% — 9%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Kathleen
Vinehout (D) 		Other Undecided
Marquette University April 26–29, 2012 705 ± 4% 49% 40% 6% 5%
Public Policy Polling April 13–15, 2012 1136 ± 2.9% 50% 38% 5% 7%
Marquette University March 22–25, 2012 707 ± 3.7% 49% 41% 3% 6%
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 46% 44% — 10%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Peter
Barca (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 48% 46% — 7%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 48% 42% — 10%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Tim
Cullen (D) 		Other Undecided
Marquette University January 19–22, 2012 701 ± 3.7% 50% 40% 3% 7%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Jon
Erpenbach (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 47% 44% — 9%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 47% 40% — 13%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Russ
Feingold (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 45% 52% — 4%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 46% 49% — 5%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Steve
Kagen (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 47% 39% — 14%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		Ron
Kind (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 45% 46% — 9%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 47% 41% — 12%
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin of
error 		Scott
Walker (R) 		David
Obey (D) 		Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling February 23–26, 2012 900 ± 3.3% 47% 45% — 7%
Marquette University January 19–22, 2012 701 ± 3.7% 49% 43% 3% 6%
Public Policy Polling October 20–23, 2011 1,170 ± 2.9% 47% 42% — 10%

Predictions edit

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[99] Lean R May 29, 2012

Results edit

2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election[100]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Scott Walker (incumbent) 1,335,585 53.08% +0.79%
Democratic Tom Barrett 1,164,480 46.28% -0.24%
Independent Hariprasad Trivedi 14,463 0.57% —
Write-in 1,537 0.06% +0.06%
Total votes 2,516,065 100.00%
Republican hold

Lieutenant governor edit

 
Lieutenant gubernatorial recall election results by county
  Kleefisch
  •      50–60%
  •      60–70%
  •      70–80%
  Mitchell
  •      50–60%
  •      60–70%
  •      70–80%
2012 Wisconsin lieutenant governor recall election results[101]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rebecca Kleefisch (incumbent) 1,301,739 52.9
Democratic Mahlon Mitchell 1,156,520 47.1
Total votes 2,458,259 100.0
Republican hold
 
A county map of Wisconsin comparing Scott Walker's margins of victory in 2012 to the results in 2010. Walker did better in northern, central, and western Wisconsin, while Barrett did better in southeast Wisconsin.

County results edit

County Won
by 		Walker
 % 		Walker
votes 		Barrett
 % 		Barrett
votes 		Trivedi % Trivedi votes Voter turnout
Adams Walker 54.5 4,497 44.3 3,658 1.2 97 47%
Ashland Barrett 38.1 2,598 61.2 4,174 0.7 50 55%
Barron Walker 59.3 10,420 39.9 7,015 0.8 136 49%
Bayfield Barrett 39.8 3,269 59.5 4,889 0.7 55 68%
Brown Walker 59.7 61,969 39.7 41,238 0.6 619 56%
Buffalo Walker 60.8 3,403 38.4 2,148 0.8 44 53%
Burnett Walker 60.8 3,998 38.6 2,536 0.6 40 53%
Calumet Walker 66.3 15,004 33.2 7,515 0.5 107 63%
Chippewa Walker 58.3 14,877 40.8 10,419 0.9 244 54%
Clark Walker 68.7 8,133 30.5 3,618 0.8 86 48%
Columbia Barrett 49.4 12,912 50.0 13,070 0.6 161 60%
Crawford Walker 51.1 3,357 48.1 3,160 0.8 61 51%
Dane Barrett 30.4 77,595 69.1 176,407 0.5 1,239 67%
Dodge Walker 63.6 24,851 35.7 13,958 0.7 242 56%
Door Walker 56.8 8,401 42.7 6,308 0.5 75 65%
Douglas Barrett 35.0 6,374 64.4 11,711 0.6 106 52%
Dunn Walker 53.9 8,417 45.4 7,099 0.7 114 45%
Eau Claire Walker 49.8 20,740 49.4 20,595 0.8 325 54%
Florence Walker 64.8 1,338 34.7 717 0.5 10 57%
Fond du Lac Walker 63.9 29,060 35.4 16,105 0.7 309 58%
Forest Walker 58.8 2,180 40.0 1,485 1.2 44 51%
Grant Walker 52.0 9,498 47.2 8,623 0.8 137 45%
Green Walker 51.1 8,407 48.5 7,981 0.4 71 59%
Green Lake Walker 68.9 5,800 30.4 2,564 0.7 54 57%
Iowa Barrett 46.4 4,957 52.9 5,660 0.7 77 60%
Iron Walker 55.7 1,613 43.8 1,267 0.5 14 59%
Jackson Walker 53.6 4,074 45.6 3,466 0.8 62 48%
Jefferson Walker 60.0 22,475 39.2 14,698 0.8 274 59%
Juneau Walker 55.8 5,429 43.4 4,225 0.8 83 46%
Kenosha Barrett 49.1 28,935 50.3 29,638 0.6 349 48%
Kewaunee Walker 64.1 6,108 35.5 3,388 0.4 42 61%
La Crosse Barrett 47.5 22,608 51.8 24,651 0.7 382 53%
Lafayette Walker 56.7 3,887 42.6 2,923 0.7 46 55%
Langlade Walker 65.6 5,621 33.7 2,898 0.7 71 55%
Lincoln Walker 56.9 7,201 42.3 5,351 0.8 106 56%
Manitowoc Walker 64.1 23,085 35.2 12,682 0.7 268 57%
Marathon Walker 62.1 36,352 37.2 21,809 0.7 398 58%
Marinette Walker 61.9 10,267 37.6 6,242 0.5 90 50%
Marquette Walker 59.3 4,102 40.0 2,764 0.7 55 56%
Menominee Barrett 26.5 208 73.2 575 0.3 3 28%
Milwaukee Barrett 36.3 143,455 63.3 250,476 0.4 1,935 56%
Monroe Walker 59.2 9,064 39.8 6,093 1.0 155 46%
Oconto Walker 65.2 11,049 34.2 5,782 0.6 102 58%
Oneida Walker 58.1 10,433 41.0 7,365 0.9 147 61%
Outagamie Walker 61.3 47,840 38.1 29,714 0.6 466 59%
Ozaukee Walker 70.7 34,303 29.0 14,095 0.3 141 74%
Pepin Walker 60.1 1,849 39.4 1,216 0.5 17 53%
Pierce Walker 55.0 8,317 44.6 6,744 0.4 59 47%
Polk Walker 60.2 10,133 39.2 6,593 0.6 106 50%
Portage Barrett 48.3 14,846 51.0 15,672 0.7 242 55%
Price Walker 60.0 4,083 39.0 2,651 1.0 73 59%
Racine Walker 52.8 45,526 46.6 40,287 0.6 509 59%
Richland Walker 53.8 3,895 45.5 3,296 0.7 53 52%
Rock Barrett 43.5 27,498 55.8 35,316 0.7 475 53%
Rusk Walker 62.6 3,722 36.3 2,167 1.1 60 52%
Sauk Walker 51.2 13,648 48.1 12,815 0.7 168 56%
Sawyer Walker 56.5 3,999 42.8 3,038 0.7 45 54%
Shawano Walker 66.2 11,201 33.3 5,646 0.5 88 52%
Sheboygan Walker 64.3 34,047 35.2 18,612 0.5 279 60%
St. Croix Walker 61.1 20,894 38.5 13,177 0.4 124 56%
Taylor Walker 71.8 5,751 27.5 2,201 0.7 76 51%
Trempealeau Walker 57.0 6,266 42.2 4,634 0.8 88 50%
Vernon Walker 52.0 6,352 47.2 5,762 0.8 100 56%
Vilas Walker 63.3 7,300 36.1 4,154 0.6 72 65%
Walworth Walker 64.3 26,221 35.2 14,346 0.5 202 52%
Washburn Walker 57.1 4,278 42.1 3,156 0.8 59 59%
Washington Walker 75.6 52,306 24.0 16,634 0.4 246 70%
Waukesha Walker 72.4 154,316 27.3 58,234 0.3 706 72%
Waupaca Walker 64.7 14,094 34.7 7,564 0.6 128 54%
Waushara Walker 62.9 6,463 36.5 3,754 0.6 69 52%
Winnebago Walker 56.0 39,881 43.4 30,885 0.6 446 54%
Wood Walker 57.9 18,535 41.2 13,171 0.9 281 55%

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic edit

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican edit


Analysis edit

Despite the protests, which followed shortly after Walker's inauguration, Walker's margin of victory in the recall election increased by 1 percentage point compared to the previous election (6.8% vs 5.8%). Approximately 350,000 more people voted in the recall election than in the 2010 election (2.5 million vs 2.15 million), making voter turnout in the recall 57.8%, the highest for a Wisconsin gubernatorial election not on a presidential ballot. The Republican bastions of Ozaukee, Waukesha, and Washington had the highest turnouts in the state, at 74%, 72%, and 70% respectively. The Democratic bastion of Dane was not far behind, at 67% voter turnout. Menominee had the lowest turnout in the state, with only 28% voter turnout. Walker won 60 counties in the recall election, compared to 59 in 2010. 3 counties flipped from Walker to Barrett in the recall election (Colombia, Kenosha, and La Crosse), while 4 counties flipped from Barrett to Walker in the recall election (Crawford, Eau Claire, Green, and Trempealeau). Walker's margin of victory increased in 54 counties, while it decreased in 18 counties. Walker did better in most of northern Wisconsin, while Barrett did better in southeast Wisconsin and the most northern counties in the state. Twelve counties (Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Door, Forest, Kewaunee, Outagamie, Pepin, Price, Rusk, Taylor, and Trempealeau) had swings towards Walker by six points or more compared to the last election, while six counties (Columbia, Dodge, Douglas, Kenosha, Racine, and Rock) had swings towards Barrett by two points or more. The Democratic strongholds of Dane County and Milwaukee County went more to Barrett in the recall election, while the Republican strongholds of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington went more Walker.

Craig Gilbert of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted the similarities between the 2010 and 2012 elections while looking at the exit poll numbers.[102]

Aftermath edit

2014 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling edit

On July 31, 2014, Scott Bauer reported for the Associated Press:

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday [July 31, 2014] upheld the 2011 law that effectively ended collective bargaining for most [Wisconsin] public workers, sparked massive protests and led to Republican Gov. Scott Walker's recall election and rise to national prominence. The 5-2 ruling upholds Walker's signature policy achievement in its entirety and is a major victory for the potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate, who is seeking re-election this year. The ruling also marks the end of the three-year legal fight over the law, which prohibits public-employee unions from collectively bargaining for anything beyond wage increases based on inflation. A federal appeals court twice upheld the law as constitutional. "No matter the limitations or 'burdens' a legislative enactment places on the collective-bargaining process, collective bargaining remains a creation of legislative grace and not constitutional obligation", Justice Michael Gableman wrote.[103]

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley dissented from the ruling, arguing the law unconstitutionally infringes on protected rights.

Investigation of alleged illegal campaign coordination edit

In August 2012, the first investigation, which had been launched by John Chisholm, Milwaukee County District Attorney, a Democrat, into missing funds, was rolled into a second John Doe probe based on a theory that Governor Walker's campaign had illegally coordinated with conservative groups engaged in issue advocacy during the recall elections.[104] The initial John Doe judge, now retired Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara A. Kluka, overseeing the John Doe investigation issued 30 subpoenas and 5 search warrants. She also issued a secrecy order which meant that those being investigated were legally bound from discussing any facet of the investigation publicly.[105] Shortly thereafter, she recused herself from the investigation.[106] Kluka's replacement, Judge Gregory Peterson, quashed several subpoenas in January 2014, saying "there was no probable cause shown that they violated campaign finance laws".[107][108]

The special prosecutor [who?] took the unusual step of filing a supervisory writ, essentially appealing Judge Peterson's decision, with the same appeals court that had denied a motion to stop the investigation.[109] On July 16, 2015, the Wisconsin Supreme Court closed the investigation into whether Governor Walker's campaign had illegally coordinated with outside groups by a 4–2 vote. Justice Michael J. Gableman in writing for the majority stated, "To be clear, this conclusion ends the John Doe investigation because the special prosecutor's legal theory is unsupported in either reason or law. Consequently, the investigation is closed."[110]

The director of Wisconsin Club for Growth (the Wisconsin arm of the national Club for Growth), Eric O'Keefe, defied the gag order, and filed a lawsuit alleging the probe was partisan and violated First Amendment rights to free expression. In a May 6, 2014 order, Judge Rudolph T. Randa found the investigation had no legal basis.[111]

One day later, a three-judge panel (Wood, Bauer and Easterbrook) of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago stayed Judge Randa's preliminary injunction, ruling he had overstepped his authority as prosecutors had already appealed an earlier decision in the case. Randa could issue his injunction only if he certified their appeal as frivolous. The appeals court also ruled that Judge Randa could not order prosecutors to destroy evidence collected in the five-county probe.[112][113][114][115] Judge Randa quickly certified the appeal as frivolous and the appeals court upheld the preliminary injunction ruling that he did have the authority to issue the injunction.[116]

At the request of the Wisconsin Club for Growth, the court unsealed documents from the investigation on June 19, 2014.[117] These documents reveal the prosecutors' theory that Governor Walker was at the center of a plan to illegally coordinate fundraising efforts with a number of outside conservative groups to help him in the 2012 recall election, bypassing state election laws. A theory that had been ruled as having no legal basis by two judges.[118]

According to a statement by prosecutors "At the time the investigation was halted, Governor Walker was not a target of the investigation. At no time has he been served with a subpoena", and that they have "no conclusions as to whether there is sufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime".[119] To date, no one has been charged in the investigation.[117][120] The probe has been effectively shut down with Judge Peterson's quashing of subpoenas until the Wisconsin Supreme Court rules on whether the investigation was legal.[121]

On August 21, 2014, a number of email messages were disclosed from a previous court filing by a special prosecutor. According to Politico, the emails purports to show that Walker made an early decision for money to be funneled though a group he trusted, and shows that he had a direct hand in "orchestrating the fundraising logistics of the opposition to the recalls".[122] According to CBS News, the disclosures show that prosecutors claimed that Walker "personally solicited donations for [the] conservative group Wisconsin Club for Growth to get around campaign finance limits and disclosure requirements as he fended off the recall attempt in 2012."[123]

One of the emails released read, "As the Governor discussed … he wants all the issue advocacy efforts run through one group to ensure correct messaging. We had some past problems with multiple groups doing work on 'behalf' of Gov. Walker and it caused some issues … The Governor is encouraging all to invest in the Wisconsin Club for Growth."[124] The Washington Post reported that the documents released show Walker solicited donors such as Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, hedge fund manager Paul Singer, and real estate businessman Donald Trump to give large contributions to a tax-exempt group that backed him during the recall efforts.[124]

Wisconsin Club for Growth reportedly only ran issues ads, none of which had to do with the recall attempt.[125] According to a The Wall Street Journal editorial (August 24, 2014), it is "legal and common" for politicians to raise money for political action committees, party committees, and 501(c)(4)'s. There are no allegations that the Wisconsin Club for Growth gave the money to Walker, or even advertised on his behalf.[126]

In September 2014, lawyers asked a federal appeals court to uphold an injunction that blocks a Wisconsin prosecutor from reviving an investigation that targeted conservative organizations accused of illegally coordinating with the governor for the purpose of circumventing campaign finance limits, citing selective prosecution and violations of free speech and equal protection under the law.[127] On September 9, 2014, the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments on the appeal. During arguments, Judge Frank Easterbrook questioned the constitutionality of the secrecy orders, stating it's "screaming with unconstitutionality". Judge Diane Wood focused in on why the suit was filed in federal court. O'Keefe's attorneys pointed to the fact that the Wisconsin Supreme Court had yet to take up the cases filed in state court.[128] On September 24, 2014, the Seventh Circuit reversed Judge Randa's injunction order and dismissed the lawsuit, not based on the merits of the case, but ruling only on federal interference in a state case.[129] O'Keefe filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on January 21, 2015.[130]

Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board, or GAB, performed the functions of both a state elections and ethics board during this time period and was part of the investigation due to being "presented with facts that suggested there was a violation of the law as it had been applied for years".[131] Although credited as a "model" for other states because "members are former judges chosen in a way to ensure they will not favor either major party" and "no other state has a chief election administration authority with the same degree of insulation from partisan politics"[132] the GAB's being part of this investigation still drew the ire of some Wisconsin Republicans. In July 2015 Governor Walker called for the dismantling of the GAB.[133] The state legislature, controlled by Republicans during the 2015–16 session, passed a law doing so—which Governor Walker signed—that ended the GAB in 2016 and split its functions between boards appointed by leaders of the major political parties.

In 2016, Salon.com declared that a majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices who halted the investigation had been endorsed by the same conservative organizations that were being investigated. "Four of that court's seven justices were elected with $10 million in support (more than the jurists spent on their own campaigns) from Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, two of the 'independent' groups that Walker was accused of illegally coordinating with..."[134] This led to some of the District Attorneys involved in the John Doe investigation appealing unsuccessfully to the U.S. Supreme Court.[135]

The Guardian reported in September 2016 that there was strong evidence of illegal coordination, based on more than 1500 pages of leaked emails.[136][137]

On October 3, 2016, the United States Supreme Court decided not to take the case despite urging by The New Yorker in order "to repair the rule of law in Wisconsin".[138] Political and legal scholar Howard Schweber opined that this may have been due to the US Supreme Court trying to avoid "tie outcomes".[139]

See also edit

References edit

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External links edit

  • Database of Governor Walker and state senator recall petitions
  • Election coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    • Campaign contributions interactive

January 01, 1970
2012, wisconsin, gubernatorial, recall, election, special, election, elect, governor, lieutenant, governor, wisconsin, resulted, voters, electing, incumbent, republican, governor, scott, walker, over, democratic, candidate, barrett, larger, margin, than, 2010,. The 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election was a special election to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Wisconsin It resulted in voters re electing incumbent Republican governor Scott Walker over the Democratic candidate Tom Barrett by a larger margin than he had in 2010 in which Walker had also faced Barrett Recall organizers opposed Walker s agenda particularly his limiting of collective bargaining rights for state employees 1 and they collected over 900 000 signatures to initiate the recall election process 1 There was also a recall for Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch She won her race defeating Democrat Mahlon Mitchell making her the first lieutenant governor to run in and survive a recall 2 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election 2010 June 5 6 2012 2014 Turnout57 8 8 1 Nominee Scott Walker Tom Barrett Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1 335 585 1 164 480 Percentage 53 1 46 3 County resultsPrecinct resultsWalker 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 Barrett 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 Tie 50 No dataGovernor before election Scott Walker Republican Elected Governor Scott Walker Republican The Democratic primaries took place on May 8 The recall elections were held June 5 3 with Walker defeating Barrett Walker was thus the first U S governor to continue in office after facing a recall election 4 Four state senate recall elections took place the same day as the gubernatorial recall elections resulting in two wins by Republican incumbents one open seat win by a Republican and one win by a Democratic challenger giving Democrats control of the state Senate 5 The recall election was just the third gubernatorial recall election in U S history and the first one in which the incumbent was not defeated 6 The other recall elections were the 1921 North Dakota gubernatorial recall election which successfully recalled Lynn Frazier the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election which successfully recalled Gray Davis and the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election which failed to recall Gavin Newsom This is the last gubernatiorial election in which the Republican candidate won the counties of Eau Claire Sauk Green and Vernon Voter turnout in the election was 57 8 percent the highest for a gubernatorial election not on a presidential ballot in Wisconsin history 7 The election was widely covered on national television Contents 1 Background 1 1 Pre certification recall campaign 1 2 Certification 2 Controversies 2 1 Costs and spending 3 Republican primary 3 1 Candidates 3 2 Endorsements 3 3 Results 4 Democratic primary 4 1 Candidates 4 1 1 Declared 4 1 2 Declined 4 2 Endorsements 4 3 Polling 4 4 Results 5 General Election 5 1 Candidates 5 2 Campaign 5 3 Debates 5 4 Polls 5 5 Predictions 6 Results 6 1 Lieutenant governor 6 2 County results 6 2 1 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic 6 2 2 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican 7 Analysis 8 Aftermath 8 1 2014 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling 8 2 Investigation of alleged illegal campaign coordination 9 See also 10 References 11 External linksBackground editPre certification recall campaign edit nbsp Protests in the Capitol February 14 2012 nbsp Recall organizers collecting petition signatures from motorists in Oak Creek Wisconsin in November 2011 nbsp Petition signatures being collected in Madison Wisconsin in November 2011 Incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker faced a recall effort beginning in November 2011 After the contentious collective bargaining dispute 8 Walker s disapproval ratings varied between 50 and 51 while his approval ratings varied between 47 and 49 in 2011 9 10 Wisconsin law made Walker ineligible for recall until at least January 3 2012 one year after he first took office and the Wisconsin Democratic Party called it a priority to remove him from office 11 In the first half of 2011 Walker raised more than 2 500 000 from supporters 12 13 Walker raised 5 1 million in the second half of 2011 to battle his recall 14 In less than half of the allotted time 60 days to collect signatures recall organizers report collecting more than 500 000 signatures leaving roughly one month left to collect the remaining 40 000 signatures needed to force a recall vote On January 17 2012 United Wisconsin the coalition that spearheaded the recall effort along with the Democratic Party said that one million signatures were collected which far exceeded the 540 208 needed and amounted to 23 percent of the state s eligible voters 46 percent of the total votes cast in the 2010 gubernatorial election and just shy of the 1 1 million votes earned by Walker 15 On January 25 2012 a poll released by the Marquette University Law School predicted that Walker would win a recall election against potential candidates Tom Barrett Kathleen Falk David Obey or Tim Cullen 16 17 This compared to a poll released by Public Policy Polling in October 2011 that also predicted Walker would win a recall election against Barrett Falk Peter Barca Steve Kagen or Ron Kind The poll also showed that more people opposed 49 than supported 48 the recall effort 18 In February 2012 Walker s campaign made an additional request for more time for the petition signatures to be verified stating that between 10 and 20 of the signatures reviewed to that point should not be counted Democrats argued that even if 20 of the signatures were not counted there were still 300 000 more than the required number needed to initiate the recall Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski argued Walker was just delaying the inevitable Additionally in the period while signatures were being verified Barrett and Walker were able to collect unlimited campaign donations because normal campaign fundraising limits do not apply until an election is ordered 19 On February 17 2012 Dane County judge Richard Niess who also signed the petition denied Walker s request for additional time 20 In March Milwaukee city officials asked Milwaukee Public Schools to contribute nearly 10 million more to the pension plan because of financial market downturns The teachers union school board and the superintendent asked the legislature for the opportunity to negotiate to reduce costs 21 Milwaukee schools didn t take part in a 90 day window that had since closed which allowed unions and municipal employees to make contract adjustments The Assembly and Senate agreed to allow Milwaukee schools to reopen negotiations for compensation or fringe benefit concessions without nullifying existing union contracts The measure giving them 90 days passed the Assembly and Senate Governor Scott Walker supported the measure Other teachers unions asked Milwaukee to withdraw its request saying it would give Walker a political advantage in the recall election 22 Certification edit On March 29 2012 the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board released its final signature counts for the Walker recall petition The GAB reported that 931 053 signatures were officially turned in although the proponents had stated that approximately one million signatures were collected Of that number 26 114 were struck by GAB staff for various reasons and an additional 4 001 duplicates were struck The final total certified by the GAB was 900 938 signatures 23 Controversies editTwenty nine circuit court judges in Wisconsin signed recall petitions against Gov Walker according to a Gannett Wisconsin Media analysis 24 Among the signers was Dane County Judge David Flanagan who was scrutinized after issuing a temporary restraining order March 6 against a Walker backed voter ID law without disclosing his support of the recall 25 None of the state s sixteen appeals court judges or seven Supreme Court justices signed the recall petition The state Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion in 2001 saying judges are allowed to sign nominating petitions as long as the petition language only supports putting the candidate on the ballot and does not imply an endorsement 24 The Landmark Legal Foundation requested an investigation to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission regarding allegations of misconduct by the judges in question citation needed It was later learned that 25 journalists at Gannett had also signed the recall petition The newspaper group revealed the signatures in the interest of being as open as possible Genia Lovett representative for the organization stated that journalists have a right to hold opinions but must protect the credibility of their respective news organizations 26 Other media organizations had staff who signed the recall petition 27 Rob Starbuck the morning news anchor for Madison Wisconsin television station WISC TV signed the Walker recall petition The station stated that the signing was in violation of the station s policy for newsroom employees Television stations WISN WTMJ WITI WDJT and radio station WTMJ in Milwaukee discovered that some staff members signed petitions to recall Walker Some employees at WTMJ claimed signing the recall petition was not a political act but rather similar to casting a vote WTMJ stated it did not agree and indicated they would take measures to make sure their reporting was fair and balanced and to ensure no future similar controversies The WITI television journalist who had signed the petition was reassigned and prohibited from covering Walker related stories 28 29 The cost of the recall election had also drawn criticism An estimate provided by the state Government Accountability Board showed a cost of 9 million for a statewide election Since a primary election was also conducted for this race Representative Robin Vos estimated the cost would be double around 18 million 30 nbsp Results of the Wisconsin Gubernatorial Primary on May 8 2012 Red counties had more votes for Walker than all Democrats combined Blue counties had more votes for all Democrats combined than Walker Costs and spending edit The recall elections were the most expensive elections in Wisconsin history 31 According to the advocacy group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign candidates and outside groups spent more than 80 million in the governor s recall race This compares to 37 4 million spent on the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial election 32 According to USA Today More than 62 million was spent by the candidates and outside groups Much of the 30 million raised by Walker came from outside the state Barrett spent about 4 million most of his donors live in Wisconsin 33 Barrett also benefited from spending by labor unions throughout the recall estimated at another 20 million citation needed Kathleen Falk who was defeated by Barrett in the Democratic primary raised about 5 2 million from public sector unions inside and outside the state The cost of the recall elections for the governor and lieutenant governor to Wisconsin taxpayers was 18 million 32 Republican primary editCandidates edit Arthur Kohl Riggs activist 34 Scott Walker incumbent governor Endorsements edit Scott WalkerJudicial Watch 35 36 Tea Party movement 37 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 38 Green Bay Press Gazette 39 Beloit Daily News 40 Milwaukee Police Association 41 Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association 41 NRA Political Victory Fund 42 Herman Cain radio host former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and former candidate for president of the United States in 2012 43 Chris Christie governor of New Jersey 44 Ken Cuccinelli attorney general of Virginia 45 Newt Gingrich former U S representative of Georgia and former candidate for president of the United States in 2012 46 Nikki Haley governor of South Carolina and former state representative of South Carolina 47 Bobby Jindal governor of Louisiana and former U S representative of Louisiana 48 49 Rush Limbaugh radio host 50 51 Michelle Malkin author blogger and commentator 52 Bob McDonnell governor of Virginia chairman of the Republican Governors Association and former attorney general of Virginia 45 Sarah Palin former governor of Alaska and former Vice Presidential nominee 2008 53 Sean Parnell governor of Alaska and former lieutenant governor of Alaska 54 Ron Paul U S representative of Texas and candidate for president of the United States in 2012 55 Michael Reagan radio and television host 56 57 Mitt Romney former governor of Massachusetts and candidate for president of the United States in 2012 58 Paul Ryan U S representative 59 Rick Santorum former U S senator of Pennsylvania and former candidate for president of the United States in 2012 60 Results edit Republican primary results 61 Party Candidate Votes Republican Scott Walker incumbent 626 538 96 92 Republican Arthur Kohl Riggs 19 920 3 08 Total votes 646 458 100 00Democratic primary edit nbsp Barrett celebrating his May 8th victory in the Democratic primary Candidates edit Declared edit Tom Barrett Mayor of Milwaukee former U S Representative candidate for governor in 2002 and nominee in 2010 62 Kathleen Falk former Dane County Executive candidate for governor in 2002 and nominee for Attorney General in 2006 63 Gladys Huber activist 64 65 Douglas La Follette Wisconsin Secretary of State candidate for WI 01 in 1970 nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1978 66 Kathleen Vinehout state senator 67 Declined edit Peter W Barca State Assembly Minority Leader 68 Tim Cullen state senator 69 Jon Erpenbach state senator 70 Russ Feingold former U S Senator 71 Ron Kind U S Representative 72 David Obey former U S Representative 73 Endorsements edit Tom BarrettThe Capital Times 74 Sierra Club 75 Terese Berceau state Assemblywoman 76 Bill Clinton former President of the United States and former governor of Arkansas 77 Hillary Clinton United States Secretary of State former candidate for president of the United States in 2008 and former U S senator of New York 77 Tim Cullen state senator 69 Jon Erpenbach Wisconsin State Senator 70 Kathleen Falk former Dane County executive 78 Russ Feingold former U S Senator D WI 79 80 Steve Kagen former U S representative 81 Ron Kind U S representative 76 Arthur Kohl Riggs political activist 82 Herb Kohl U S Senator from Wisconsin 83 Dennis Kucinich former U S representative of Ohio and former mayor of Cleveland 84 Douglas La Follette Wisconsin Secretary of State 64 65 Tom Nelson Outagamie County county executive 81 Nancy Nusbaum former county executive of Brown County 81 Barack Obama president of the United States and former U S Senator of Illinois 37 85 Dave Obey former U S representative 86 Martin O Malley governor of Maryland chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and former mayor of Baltimore 87 88 89 90 Tony Staskunas Wisconsin State Assemblyman 76 Webster Tarpley author historian and journalist 91 Kathleen Vinehout Wisconsin State Senator 64 65 Kathleen FalkVel Phillips Former Wisconsin Secretary of State 92 Brett Hulsey then Wisconsin State Assemblyman from the 77th district 92 Sondy Pope Roberts Wisconsin State Assemblywoman 92 Christine Sinicki Wisconsin State Assemblywoman 92 Chris Taylor Wisconsin State Assemblywoman 92 Richard J Phelps former Dane County executive 92 Wisconsin Education Association Council 92 EMILY s List 92 Women s Campaign Fund 93 Sierra Club 92 Polling edit Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin oferror TomBarrett KathleenFalk DougLa Follette KathleenVinehout Undecided Marquette University April 26 29 2012 451 4 48 21 8 6 19 Public Policy Polling April 13 15 2012 810 3 4 38 24 9 6 22 Marquette University March 22 25 2012 373 5 1 54 15 12 19 36 29 8 8 18 Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 425 45 18 14 6 17 41 23 13 22 Results edit nbsp Primary results by county Barrett Barrett 71 80 Barrett 61 70 Barrett 51 60 Barrett 41 50 Barrett 31 40 Falk Falk 51 60 Falk 41 50 Falk 31 40 Democratic primary results 61 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Tom Barrett 390 109 58 20 Democratic Kathleen Falk 228 940 34 16 Democratic Kathleen Vinehout 26 926 4 02 Democratic Douglas La Follette 19 461 2 90 Democratic Gladys Huber 4 842 0 72 Total votes 670 278 100General Election editCandidates edit Scott Walker Republican incumbent governor Tom Barrett Democratic Mayor of Milwaukee Nathan Graewin Libertarian Hariprasad Trivedi Independent 94 Steven Zelinski Write in 95 Campaign edit In April the Milwaukee Police Association and Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association unions endorsed Governor Walker in the recall election 96 After Barrett won the Democratic primary Walker stated As Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett enters the general election in his soon to be third statewide losing campaign he will surely find that his record of raising taxes and promises to continue to do so will not resonate with voters 97 After his primary victory Barrett said We cannot fix Wisconsin with Walker as governor this election is not about fighting past battles it is about moving forward together to create jobs and get our economy moving again 98 Debates edit nbsp Barrett left and Walker right debating on May 31 Complete video of debate May 25 2012 C SPAN Complete video of debate May 31 2012 C SPAN Polls edit Key DV Decided voters LV Likely voters RV Registered voters Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin oferror ScottWalker R TomBarrett D Other Undecided We Ask America June 3 2012 1 570 LV 2 5 54 42 4 Public Policy Polling June 2 3 2012 1 226 LV 2 8 50 47 3 Angus Reid Public Opinion May 30 June 2 2012 507 DV 4 4 53 47 Marquette University May 23 26 2012 600 LV 4 1 52 45 3 We Ask America May 23 2012 1 409 LV 2 61 54 42 4 St Norbert College May 17 22 2012 406 LV 5 50 45 5 Reason Rupe May 14 18 2012 609 LV 4 50 42 6 We Ask America May 13 2012 1 219 LV 2 81 52 43 5 Public Policy Polling May 11 13 2012 833 LV 3 4 50 45 2 3 Marquette University May 9 12 2012 600 LV 4 1 50 44 3 Rasmussen Reports May 9 2012 500 LV 4 5 50 45 2 2 Marquette University April 26 29 2012 705 RV 4 46 47 3 4 628 LV 47 46 3 4 Public Policy Polling April 13 15 2012 1 136 2 9 50 45 2 3 Marquette University March 22 25 2012 707 3 7 47 45 3 5 Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 46 49 5 Marquette University January 19 22 2012 701 3 7 50 44 2 4 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 48 46 6 Hypothetical pollingPoll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R Generic Democrat Other Undecided Marist March 26 27 2012 2 792 1 9 46 48 6 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R KathleenFalk D Other Undecided Marquette University April 26 29 2012 705 4 49 42 6 3 Public Policy Polling April 13 15 2012 1136 2 9 50 43 3 3 Marquette University March 22 25 2012 707 3 7 49 45 2 5 Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 47 48 5 Marquette University January 19 22 2012 701 3 7 49 42 2 6 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 49 41 10 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R DougLa Follette D Other Undecided Marquette University April 26 29 2012 705 4 49 40 7 4 Public Policy Polling April 13 15 2012 1136 2 9 51 40 3 6 Marquette University March 22 25 2012 707 3 7 49 42 3 6 Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 46 45 9 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R KathleenVinehout D Other Undecided Marquette University April 26 29 2012 705 4 49 40 6 5 Public Policy Polling April 13 15 2012 1136 2 9 50 38 5 7 Marquette University March 22 25 2012 707 3 7 49 41 3 6 Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 46 44 10 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R PeterBarca D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 48 46 7 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 48 42 10 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R TimCullen D Other Undecided Marquette University January 19 22 2012 701 3 7 50 40 3 7 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R JonErpenbach D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 47 44 9 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 47 40 13 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R RussFeingold D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 45 52 4 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 46 49 5 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R SteveKagen D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 47 39 14 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R RonKind D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 45 46 9 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 47 41 12 Poll source Date s administered Samplesize Margin of error ScottWalker R DavidObey D Other Undecided Public Policy Polling February 23 26 2012 900 3 3 47 45 7 Marquette University January 19 22 2012 701 3 7 49 43 3 6 Public Policy Polling October 20 23 2011 1 170 2 9 47 42 10 Predictions edit Source Ranking As of Sabato s Crystal Ball 99 Lean R May 29 2012Results edit2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election 100 Party Candidate Votes Republican Scott Walker incumbent 1 335 585 53 08 0 79 Democratic Tom Barrett 1 164 480 46 28 0 24 Independent Hariprasad Trivedi 14 463 0 57 Write in 1 537 0 06 0 06 Total votes 2 516 065 100 00 Republican hold Lieutenant governor edit nbsp Lieutenant gubernatorial recall election results by county Kleefisch 50 60 60 70 70 80 Mitchell 50 60 60 70 70 80 2012 Wisconsin lieutenant governor recall election results 101 Party Candidate Votes Republican Rebecca Kleefisch incumbent 1 301 739 52 9 Democratic Mahlon Mitchell 1 156 520 47 1 Total votes 2 458 259 100 0 Republican hold nbsp A county map of Wisconsin comparing Scott Walker s margins of victory in 2012 to the results in 2010 Walker did better in northern central and western Wisconsin while Barrett did better in southeast Wisconsin County results edit County Won by Walker Walker votes Barrett Barrett votes Trivedi Trivedi votes Voter turnout Adams Walker 54 5 4 497 44 3 3 658 1 2 97 47 Ashland Barrett 38 1 2 598 61 2 4 174 0 7 50 55 Barron Walker 59 3 10 420 39 9 7 015 0 8 136 49 Bayfield Barrett 39 8 3 269 59 5 4 889 0 7 55 68 Brown Walker 59 7 61 969 39 7 41 238 0 6 619 56 Buffalo Walker 60 8 3 403 38 4 2 148 0 8 44 53 Burnett Walker 60 8 3 998 38 6 2 536 0 6 40 53 Calumet Walker 66 3 15 004 33 2 7 515 0 5 107 63 Chippewa Walker 58 3 14 877 40 8 10 419 0 9 244 54 Clark Walker 68 7 8 133 30 5 3 618 0 8 86 48 Columbia Barrett 49 4 12 912 50 0 13 070 0 6 161 60 Crawford Walker 51 1 3 357 48 1 3 160 0 8 61 51 Dane Barrett 30 4 77 595 69 1 176 407 0 5 1 239 67 Dodge Walker 63 6 24 851 35 7 13 958 0 7 242 56 Door Walker 56 8 8 401 42 7 6 308 0 5 75 65 Douglas Barrett 35 0 6 374 64 4 11 711 0 6 106 52 Dunn Walker 53 9 8 417 45 4 7 099 0 7 114 45 Eau Claire Walker 49 8 20 740 49 4 20 595 0 8 325 54 Florence Walker 64 8 1 338 34 7 717 0 5 10 57 Fond du Lac Walker 63 9 29 060 35 4 16 105 0 7 309 58 Forest Walker 58 8 2 180 40 0 1 485 1 2 44 51 Grant Walker 52 0 9 498 47 2 8 623 0 8 137 45 Green Walker 51 1 8 407 48 5 7 981 0 4 71 59 Green Lake Walker 68 9 5 800 30 4 2 564 0 7 54 57 Iowa Barrett 46 4 4 957 52 9 5 660 0 7 77 60 Iron Walker 55 7 1 613 43 8 1 267 0 5 14 59 Jackson Walker 53 6 4 074 45 6 3 466 0 8 62 48 Jefferson Walker 60 0 22 475 39 2 14 698 0 8 274 59 Juneau Walker 55 8 5 429 43 4 4 225 0 8 83 46 Kenosha Barrett 49 1 28 935 50 3 29 638 0 6 349 48 Kewaunee Walker 64 1 6 108 35 5 3 388 0 4 42 61 La Crosse Barrett 47 5 22 608 51 8 24 651 0 7 382 53 Lafayette Walker 56 7 3 887 42 6 2 923 0 7 46 55 Langlade Walker 65 6 5 621 33 7 2 898 0 7 71 55 Lincoln Walker 56 9 7 201 42 3 5 351 0 8 106 56 Manitowoc Walker 64 1 23 085 35 2 12 682 0 7 268 57 Marathon Walker 62 1 36 352 37 2 21 809 0 7 398 58 Marinette Walker 61 9 10 267 37 6 6 242 0 5 90 50 Marquette Walker 59 3 4 102 40 0 2 764 0 7 55 56 Menominee Barrett 26 5 208 73 2 575 0 3 3 28 Milwaukee Barrett 36 3 143 455 63 3 250 476 0 4 1 935 56 Monroe Walker 59 2 9 064 39 8 6 093 1 0 155 46 Oconto Walker 65 2 11 049 34 2 5 782 0 6 102 58 Oneida Walker 58 1 10 433 41 0 7 365 0 9 147 61 Outagamie Walker 61 3 47 840 38 1 29 714 0 6 466 59 Ozaukee Walker 70 7 34 303 29 0 14 095 0 3 141 74 Pepin Walker 60 1 1 849 39 4 1 216 0 5 17 53 Pierce Walker 55 0 8 317 44 6 6 744 0 4 59 47 Polk Walker 60 2 10 133 39 2 6 593 0 6 106 50 Portage Barrett 48 3 14 846 51 0 15 672 0 7 242 55 Price Walker 60 0 4 083 39 0 2 651 1 0 73 59 Racine Walker 52 8 45 526 46 6 40 287 0 6 509 59 Richland Walker 53 8 3 895 45 5 3 296 0 7 53 52 Rock Barrett 43 5 27 498 55 8 35 316 0 7 475 53 Rusk Walker 62 6 3 722 36 3 2 167 1 1 60 52 Sauk Walker 51 2 13 648 48 1 12 815 0 7 168 56 Sawyer Walker 56 5 3 999 42 8 3 038 0 7 45 54 Shawano Walker 66 2 11 201 33 3 5 646 0 5 88 52 Sheboygan Walker 64 3 34 047 35 2 18 612 0 5 279 60 St Croix Walker 61 1 20 894 38 5 13 177 0 4 124 56 Taylor Walker 71 8 5 751 27 5 2 201 0 7 76 51 Trempealeau Walker 57 0 6 266 42 2 4 634 0 8 88 50 Vernon Walker 52 0 6 352 47 2 5 762 0 8 100 56 Vilas Walker 63 3 7 300 36 1 4 154 0 6 72 65 Walworth Walker 64 3 26 221 35 2 14 346 0 5 202 52 Washburn Walker 57 1 4 278 42 1 3 156 0 8 59 59 Washington Walker 75 6 52 306 24 0 16 634 0 4 246 70 Waukesha Walker 72 4 154 316 27 3 58 234 0 3 706 72 Waupaca Walker 64 7 14 094 34 7 7 564 0 6 128 54 Waushara Walker 62 9 6 463 36 5 3 754 0 6 69 52 Winnebago Walker 56 0 39 881 43 4 30 885 0 6 446 54 Wood Walker 57 9 18 535 41 2 13 171 0 9 281 55 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic edit Columbia largest city Portage Kenosha largest city Kenosha La Crosse largest city La Crosse Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican edit Crawford largest city Prairie du Chien Eau Claire largest city Eau Claire Green largest municipality Monroe Trempealeau largest city Arcadia Analysis editDespite the protests which followed shortly after Walker s inauguration Walker s margin of victory in the recall election increased by 1 percentage point compared to the previous election 6 8 vs 5 8 Approximately 350 000 more people voted in the recall election than in the 2010 election 2 5 million vs 2 15 million making voter turnout in the recall 57 8 the highest for a Wisconsin gubernatorial election not on a presidential ballot The Republican bastions of Ozaukee Waukesha and Washington had the highest turnouts in the state at 74 72 and 70 respectively The Democratic bastion of Dane was not far behind at 67 voter turnout Menominee had the lowest turnout in the state with only 28 voter turnout Walker won 60 counties in the recall election compared to 59 in 2010 3 counties flipped from Walker to Barrett in the recall election Colombia Kenosha and La Crosse while 4 counties flipped from Barrett to Walker in the recall election Crawford Eau Claire Green and Trempealeau Walker s margin of victory increased in 54 counties while it decreased in 18 counties Walker did better in most of northern Wisconsin while Barrett did better in southeast Wisconsin and the most northern counties in the state Twelve counties Buffalo Calumet Clark Door Forest Kewaunee Outagamie Pepin Price Rusk Taylor and Trempealeau had swings towards Walker by six points or more compared to the last election while six counties Columbia Dodge Douglas Kenosha Racine and Rock had swings towards Barrett by two points or more The Democratic strongholds of Dane County and Milwaukee County went more to Barrett in the recall election while the Republican strongholds of Waukesha Ozaukee and Washington went more Walker Craig Gilbert of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted the similarities between the 2010 and 2012 elections while looking at the exit poll numbers 102 Aftermath edit2014 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling editOn July 31 2014 Scott Bauer reported for the Associated Press The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday July 31 2014 upheld the 2011 law that effectively ended collective bargaining for most Wisconsin public workers sparked massive protests and led to Republican Gov Scott Walker s recall election and rise to national prominence The 5 2 ruling upholds Walker s signature policy achievement in its entirety and is a major victory for the potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate who is seeking re election this year The ruling also marks the end of the three year legal fight over the law which prohibits public employee unions from collectively bargaining for anything beyond wage increases based on inflation A federal appeals court twice upheld the law as constitutional No matter the limitations or burdens a legislative enactment places on the collective bargaining process collective bargaining remains a creation of legislative grace and not constitutional obligation Justice Michael Gableman wrote 103 Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley dissented from the ruling arguing the law unconstitutionally infringes on protected rights Investigation of alleged illegal campaign coordination edit In August 2012 the first investigation which had been launched by John Chisholm Milwaukee County District Attorney a Democrat into missing funds was rolled into a second John Doe probe based on a theory that Governor Walker s campaign had illegally coordinated with conservative groups engaged in issue advocacy during the recall elections 104 The initial John Doe judge now retired Kenosha County Circuit Judge Barbara A Kluka overseeing the John Doe investigation issued 30 subpoenas and 5 search warrants She also issued a secrecy order which meant that those being investigated were legally bound from discussing any facet of the investigation publicly 105 Shortly thereafter she recused herself from the investigation 106 Kluka s replacement Judge Gregory Peterson quashed several subpoenas in January 2014 saying there was no probable cause shown that they violated campaign finance laws 107 108 The special prosecutor who took the unusual step of filing a supervisory writ essentially appealing Judge Peterson s decision with the same appeals court that had denied a motion to stop the investigation 109 On July 16 2015 the Wisconsin Supreme Court closed the investigation into whether Governor Walker s campaign had illegally coordinated with outside groups by a 4 2 vote Justice Michael J Gableman in writing for the majority stated To be clear this conclusion ends the John Doe investigation because the special prosecutor s legal theory is unsupported in either reason or law Consequently the investigation is closed 110 The director of Wisconsin Club for Growth the Wisconsin arm of the national Club for Growth Eric O Keefe defied the gag order and filed a lawsuit alleging the probe was partisan and violated First Amendment rights to free expression In a May 6 2014 order Judge Rudolph T Randa found the investigation had no legal basis 111 One day later a three judge panel Wood Bauer and Easterbrook of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago stayed Judge Randa s preliminary injunction ruling he had overstepped his authority as prosecutors had already appealed an earlier decision in the case Randa could issue his injunction only if he certified their appeal as frivolous The appeals court also ruled that Judge Randa could not order prosecutors to destroy evidence collected in the five county probe 112 113 114 115 Judge Randa quickly certified the appeal as frivolous and the appeals court upheld the preliminary injunction ruling that he did have the authority to issue the injunction 116 At the request of the Wisconsin Club for Growth the court unsealed documents from the investigation on June 19 2014 117 These documents reveal the prosecutors theory that Governor Walker was at the center of a plan to illegally coordinate fundraising efforts with a number of outside conservative groups to help him in the 2012 recall election bypassing state election laws A theory that had been ruled as having no legal basis by two judges 118 According to a statement by prosecutors At the time the investigation was halted Governor Walker was not a target of the investigation At no time has he been served with a subpoena and that they have no conclusions as to whether there is sufficient evidence to charge anyone with a crime 119 To date no one has been charged in the investigation 117 120 The probe has been effectively shut down with Judge Peterson s quashing of subpoenas until the Wisconsin Supreme Court rules on whether the investigation was legal 121 On August 21 2014 a number of email messages were disclosed from a previous court filing by a special prosecutor According to Politico the emails purports to show that Walker made an early decision for money to be funneled though a group he trusted and shows that he had a direct hand in orchestrating the fundraising logistics of the opposition to the recalls 122 According to CBS News the disclosures show that prosecutors claimed that Walker personally solicited donations for the conservative group Wisconsin Club for Growth to get around campaign finance limits and disclosure requirements as he fended off the recall attempt in 2012 123 One of the emails released read As the Governor discussed he wants all the issue advocacy efforts run through one group to ensure correct messaging We had some past problems with multiple groups doing work on behalf of Gov Walker and it caused some issues The Governor is encouraging all to invest in the Wisconsin Club for Growth 124 The Washington Post reported that the documents released show Walker solicited donors such as Home Depot co founder Ken Langone hedge fund manager Paul Singer and real estate businessman Donald Trump to give large contributions to a tax exempt group that backed him during the recall efforts 124 Wisconsin Club for Growth reportedly only ran issues ads none of which had to do with the recall attempt 125 According to a The Wall Street Journal editorial August 24 2014 it is legal and common for politicians to raise money for political action committees party committees and 501 c 4 s There are no allegations that the Wisconsin Club for Growth gave the money to Walker or even advertised on his behalf 126 In September 2014 lawyers asked a federal appeals court to uphold an injunction that blocks a Wisconsin prosecutor from reviving an investigation that targeted conservative organizations accused of illegally coordinating with the governor for the purpose of circumventing campaign finance limits citing selective prosecution and violations of free speech and equal protection under the law 127 On September 9 2014 the Seventh Circuit heard oral arguments on the appeal During arguments Judge Frank Easterbrook questioned the constitutionality of the secrecy orders stating it s screaming with unconstitutionality Judge Diane Wood focused in on why the suit was filed in federal court O Keefe s attorneys pointed to the fact that the Wisconsin Supreme Court had yet to take up the cases filed in state court 128 On September 24 2014 the Seventh Circuit reversed Judge Randa s injunction order and dismissed the lawsuit not based on the merits of the case but ruling only on federal interference in a state case 129 O Keefe filed an appeal with the U S Supreme Court on January 21 2015 130 Wisconsin s Government Accountability Board or GAB performed the functions of both a state elections and ethics board during this time period and was part of the investigation due to being presented with facts that suggested there was a violation of the law as it had been applied for years 131 Although credited as a model for other states because members are former judges chosen in a way to ensure they will not favor either major party and no other state has a chief election administration authority with the same degree of insulation from partisan politics 132 the GAB s being part of this investigation still drew the ire of some Wisconsin Republicans In July 2015 Governor Walker called for the dismantling of the GAB 133 The state legislature controlled by Republicans during the 2015 16 session passed a law doing so which Governor Walker signed that ended the GAB in 2016 and split its functions between boards appointed by leaders of the major political parties In 2016 Salon com declared that a majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices who halted the investigation had been endorsed by the same conservative organizations that were being investigated Four of that court s seven justices were elected with 10 million in support more than the jurists spent on their own campaigns from Wisconsin Club for Growth and Wisconsin Manufacturers amp Commerce two of the independent groups that Walker was accused of illegally coordinating with 134 This led to some of the District Attorneys involved in the John Doe investigation appealing unsuccessfully to the U S Supreme Court 135 The Guardian reported in September 2016 that there was strong evidence of illegal coordination based on more than 1500 pages of leaked emails 136 137 On October 3 2016 the United States Supreme Court decided not to take the case despite urging by The New Yorker in order to repair the rule of law in Wisconsin 138 Political and legal scholar Howard Schweber opined that this may have been due to the US Supreme Court trying to avoid tie outcomes 139 See also edit nbsp Politics portal 2011 Wisconsin protests 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 Recall elections in Wisconsin Wisconsin Supreme Court election 2011 Wisconsin Senate recall elections 2011 Wisconsin Senate recall elections 2012References edit a b Scott Bauer June 4 2012 Wisconsin recall battle finally goes to voters Boston Globe Associated Press Retrieved June 4 2012 Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch survives recall election News8000 com June 5 2012 Retrieved July 23 2012 Hall Dee J March 15 2012 Judge OKs petition review extension June 5 recall election Wisconsin State Journal Retrieved March 20 2012 NBC CNN Fox News Los Angeles Times CBS News Stephanie Jones June 5 2012 Lehman declares win Journaltimes com Retrieved July 23 2012 Davey Monica May 31 2012 Recall Election Could Foretell November Vote The New York Times Retrieved June 3 2012 Gilbert Craig June 27 2012 Recall turnout June 5 high in most places insanely high in some JSOnline Retrieved July 23 2012 Recall Election Tests Strategies for November April 28 2012 Marley Patrick September 20 2011 New poll reflects divide on bargaining limits Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved January 21 2012 Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming Public Policy Polling October 26 2011 Retrieved January 21 2012 Scott Walker Raises 2 5 Million In First Half Of Year Nbc15 com Associated Press July 19 2011 Retrieved January 21 2012 Catanese David August 10 2011 Walker recall expected to proceed Politico Retrieved January 21 2012 Stein Jason July 20 2011 Walker raises more than 2 5 million in first half of 2011 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved January 21 2012 With half the money coming from out of state Walker far outraising recall organizers Wisconsin State Journal December 15 2011 retrieved December 17 2011 Recount results PDF Wisconsin Government Accountability Board Archived from the original PDF on May 21 2012 Retrieved March 20 2012 Schneider Christian January 25 2012 New Poll Delivers Scott Walker Good News National Review Online Retrieved March 20 2012 Marquette poll PDF Marquette University Retrieved March 20 2012 Wisconsin Recall Prospects Dimming Public Policy Polling Retrieved October 28 2011 Bauer Scott Governor Scott Walker seeks more time for review of recall signatures greenbaypressgazette Archived from the original on January 25 2013 Retrieved February 17 2012 Kleefeld Eric February 17 2012 Judge Tells Walker No More Extensions On The Recall Talking Points Memo Archived from the original on February 29 2012 Retrieved March 1 2012 Richards Erin Stein Jason March 12 2012 Union MPS seek time to discuss contract changes Journal Sentinel Retrieved March 20 2012 Wisconsin legislature approves Milwaukee schools plan News8000 com March 14 2012 Archived from the original on May 26 2013 Retrieved March 20 2012 Recall Petition Update 11 G A B Releases Final Signature Counts for Meeting Friday Government Accountability Board March 29 2012 Retrieved May 9 2012 a b 29 circuit court judges signed Walker recall petitions Archived November 3 2013 at the Wayback Machine Rodriguez Barbara March 7 2012 Dane County Judge David Flanagan temporarily stops new Wisconsin voter ID law Postcrescent com Retrieved March 20 2012 Gannett apologizes after reporters sign Walker recall petitions TMJ4 Associated Press March 25 2012 Retrieved May 9 2012 WTMJ staffers signed Governor Walker recall petition WTMJ April 3 2012 Retrieved May 9 2012 News operations report that staffers signed Walker recall petition jsonline com accessed May 6 2014 WTMJ4 report on staffers who signed Walker recall petition jrn com accessed May 6 2014 Todd Richmond Associated Press January 6 2012 Survey Wis gov recall will cost 9 million The Racine Journal Times Online Journaltimes com Retrieved June 3 2012 Staff June 3 2012 Wisconsin Recall Breaks Record Thanks To Outside Cash Huffington Post Retrieved June 5 2012 a b Bauter Alison June 7 2012 Spending on state recalls exceeds 125 million group says Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved June 7 2012 Wisconsin Gov Walker faces recall vote USAToday com June 5 2012 Retrieved July 23 2012 Agitator gets enough names to challenge Walker Channel3000 com April 11 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Announces Major Sponsorship of CPAC Sponsors Ronald Reagan Banquet Judicial Watch February 7 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 President Tom Fitton s Introductory Remarks CPAC 2012 Ronald Reagan Banquet Judicial Watch Retrieved June 5 2012 a b Wisconsin Recall Election Scott Walker Tom Barrett Make Final Push Huffington Post June 2 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 We recommend Walker his removal isn t justified JSOnline May 19 2012 Archived from the original on May 20 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Editorial Press Gazette endorses Walker in recall election greenbaypressgazette com May 29 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 permanent dead link EDITORIAL Is it working Let s wait see Beloit Daily News Archived from the original on June 5 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 a b Milwaukee police firefighters endorse Gov Walker Fox6now com April 2 2012 Archived from the original on April 4 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 NRA PVF Endorses Scott Walker for Governor in Wisconsin nrapvf org NRA PVF May 9 2012 Archived from the original on August 12 2014 Retrieved August 14 2023 The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund NRA PVF is announcing its endorsement of Scott Walker for Governor in the June 5 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election ICYMI Failed Presidential Hopeful and Tea Party Extremist Herman Cain Bagging Cash for Scott Walker Dissing Mitt Romney Wisdems org March 9 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Chris Christie Scott Walker is courageous Politico Com May 2 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 a b Kumar Anita May 24 2012 Bob McDonnell Ken Cuccinelli help Scott Walker in Wisconsin recall The Washington Post Retrieved June 3 2012 Staff May 18 2012 Newt Gingrich Pimps Presidential Campaign Mailing List To Shill For Soon To Be Recalled WI Gov Scott Walker Axiom Amnesia Retrieved June 3 2012 John Nichols May 24 2012 Scott Walker s Southern Strategy Aligns Him With Union Buster Nikki Haley The Nation Retrieved June 3 2012 Gov Bobby Jindal to campaign for Gov Scott Walker Fox11online com May 23 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal to attend rally for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker postcrescent com Retrieved June 3 2012 Scott Walker vs Barack Obama Rushlimbaugh com May 31 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 Democrat Desperation Time in Wisconsin Rushlimbaugh com January 27 2006 Retrieved June 5 2012 Malkin Michelle March 28 2012 The war on Wisconsin Update Sarah Palin s call to arms Michelle Malkin Retrieved June 5 2012 Puddytat March 29 2012 Romney and Sarah Palin Support Scott Walker With Friends Like These Daily Kos Retrieved June 3 2012 Fairbanks Daily News Miner Parnell says Wisconsin governor takes courageous stand on unions Newsminer com Retrieved June 3 2012 Ron Paul says Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker making positive changes TwinCities com Associated Press March 28 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Staff May 28 2012 Michael Reagan Says Win One For The Gipper In Pro Scott Walker Ad Huffington Post Retrieved June 3 2012 Michael Reagan Michael Reagan War cry in Wisconsin should be Remember PATCO Shreveport Times Retrieved August 3 2013 Kornacki Steve June 2012 Scott Walker s John Doe scandal explained Wisconsin Recall Salon com Retrieved June 3 2012 Rep Paul Ryan says he ll help Gov Scott Walker in Wisconsin recall Twincities com Associated Press April 10 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney embrace Scott Walker Politico com March 29 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 a b May 8 recall primary election results Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 8 2012 Weinger Mackenzie March 30 2012 Tom Barrett Milwaukee mayor enters Wisconsin recall Politico Retrieved April 2 2012 Kurtenbach Bridget January 18 2012 Kathleen Falk announces candidacy for governor WQOW TV Retrieved March 20 2012 a b c La Follette praises Barrett in primary win Fox11online com Retrieved June 5 2012 a b c Democrats show unity in race for governor of Wisconsin Fox6now com May 9 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 La Follette Moves Closer To Run For Governor WISC TV February 22 2012 Retrieved March 20 2012 Stein Jason February 8 2012 Sen Vinehout to jump in to governor s recall race Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved March 31 2012 Stein Jason March 31 2012 Rep Barca won t run in recall Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved March 31 2012 a b Vanegeren Jessica February 1 2012 Sen Cullen says he won t run for governor The Capital Times Retrieved March 20 2012 a b Heynen Nick April 2 2012 Barrett gets endorsement from Erpenbach Wisconsin State Journal Retrieved April 2 2012 Weiner Rachel August 19 2011 Russ Feingold not running in 2012 The Washington Post Retrieved February 28 2012 Johnson Shawn April 5 2012 Barrett picks up key endorsements Superior Telegraph Retrieved April 6 2012 Catanese David April 9 2012 Obey endorses Tom Barrett in Walker recall Politico Retrieved May 9 2012 Cap Times editorial June 4 2012 Tom Barrett for governor Host madison com Retrieved June 5 2012 Sierra Club endorses Tom Barrett for Governor PDF Sierra Club May 16 2012 Retrieved June 5 2012 a b c Johnson Jackie April 4 2012 Barrett vows to end Wisconsin s civil war Wisconsin Radio Network Retrieved April 5 2012 a b Bill Clinton slams Scott Walker agenda Politico com June 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Daily Kos Labor May 9 2012 Tom Barrett receives immediate support from Wisconsin unions and Kathleen Falk in recall effort Daily Kos Retrieved June 5 2012 Staff May 18 2012 Russ Feingold Hosting Fundraiser For Tom Barrett In Wisconsin Recall Race Huffington Post Retrieved June 3 2012 Staff May 9 2012 Russ Feingold Fundraises For Tom Barrett In Wisconsin Recall Huffington Post Retrieved June 3 2012 a b c Barrett picks up 3 local endorsements in bid to replace Gov Walker greenbaypressgazette com May 6 2014 Nayantara Mukherji May 9 2012 Arthur Kohl Riggs and supporters hope to send recall message to Dems and GOP alike Isthmus com Retrieved June 5 2012 Sen Herb Kohl Endorses Tom Barrett In Wisconsin Recall Democratic Primary talkingpointsmemo com April 12 2012 Retrieved April 12 2012 Kucinich Dennis April 14 2011 Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Admits It YouTube Retrieved June 3 2012 Staff May 31 2012 Tom Barrett Will Stress Scott Walker s Failure To Lead In Final Debate Huffington Post Retrieved June 3 2012 Obey endorses Tom Barrett in Walker recall politico com April 9 2012 Retrieved April 10 2012 Maryland Governor Martin O Malley headed to Wisconsin why is President Obama doing the fly over Gretawire foxnewsinsider com May 30 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Barrett and O Malley Two Peas in a Pod The Weekly Standard May 16 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Michael Dresser May 30 2012 O Malley to stump in Wisconsin for Walker foe Articles baltimoresun com Retrieved June 3 2012 Annie Linskey June 2012 McDonnell attacks O Malley on taxes Articles baltimoresun com Retrieved June 3 2012 Jones Alex June 4 2012 Tarpley Jones The Great Debate YouTube Retrieved July 23 2012 a b c d e f g h i Kathleen s Endorsements Kathleenfalk com March 20 2012 Archived from the original on March 12 2012 Stein Jason April 4 2012 U S Rep Kind Women s Campaign Fund make endorsements in governor s race Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved April 5 2012 Candidates in gubernatorial lt gov and senate recalls turn in paperwork Fox6now com April 10 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Independent write in gubernatorial candidate Zelinski enters race Badgerherald com April 29 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Docter Cary April 2 2012 Milwaukee police firefighters endorse Gov Walker Fox6now com Retrieved May 9 2012 Walker Campaign Reacts To Mayor Tom Barrett S Entrance Into The General Election Scottwalker org May 8 2012 Retrieved June 3 2012 Tom Barrett Faces Scott Walker In June Barrettforwisconsin com Retrieved June 3 2012 Wisconsin Recall Process Aids Walker Sabato s Crystal Ball May 29 2012 Retrieved May 29 2012 Canvass Results for 2012 JUNE 5 RECALL ELECTION 6 5 2012 PDF G A B Canvass Reporting System Archived from the original PDF on October 15 2016 Retrieved December 30 2022 Wisconsin Recall Election Results Map Elections huffingtonpost com Retrieved July 23 2012 Gilbert Craig June 27 2012 Recall turnout June 5 high in most places insanely high in some Jsonline com Retrieved July 23 2012 2011 law which led to recall election is upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court 5 2 talkingpointsmemo com accessed August 19 2014 Kittle MD June 9 2014 Never ending John Doe never ended WSJ reports Wisconsin Reporter Retrieved April 13 2015 Wisconsin Political Speech Raid Wall Street Journal November 18 2013 Judge in Democrat led John Doe probe recuses herself Wisconsin Reporter October 30 2013 Kittle MD June 9 2014 Never ending John Doe never ended WSJ reports Wisconsin Reporter Retrieved April 13 2015 Milwaukee John Doe investigation watchdog org accessed September 15 2015 Wisconsin Reporter John Doe special prosecutor appeals judge s ruling quashing subpoenas February 28 2014 Retrieved December 30 2022 DelReal Jose A Johnson Jenna July 16 2015 Scott Walker clears big legal hurdle in Wisconsin The Washington Post ISSN 0190 8286 Retrieved September 15 2015 Helderman Rosalind S May 6 2014 Judge Halts Probe The Washington Post The defendants are pursuing criminal charges through a secret John Doe investigation against the plaintiffs for exercising issue advocacy speech rights that on their face are not subject to the regulations or statutes the defendants seek to enforce This legitimate exercise of O Keefe s rights as an individual and WCFG s rights as a 501 c 4 corporation to speak on the issues has been characterized by the defendants as political activity covered by Chapter 11 of the Wisconsin Statutes rendering the plaintiffs a subcommittee of the Friends of Scott Walker and requiring that money spent on such speech be reported as an in kind campaign contribution This interpretation is simply wrong 7th Circuit United States Court of Appeals overturns Randa decision jsonline com retrieved September 12 2014 Judge s order tossing John Doe investigation is stayed Wisconsin State Journal May 7 2014 retrieved May 14 2014 RE John Doe investigations against Republicans and conservatives in Wisconsin watchdog org accessed July 31 2014 Prosecutors Allege Scott Walker At Center Of Campaign Finance Criminal Conspiracy The Huffington Post June 19 2014 Retrieved June 20 2014 Appeals court judge upholds judge s order shutting down John Doe probe Wisconsin Reporter June 9 2014 a b Marley Patrick Bice Daniel Glauber Bill June 19 2014 John Doe prosecutors allege Scott Walker at center of criminal scheme Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Retrieved June 19 2014 Judge stops WI prosecutors John Doe probe into conservatives Wisconsin Reporter May 6 2014 Governor Walker not a target according to John Doe special prosecutor madison com accessed August 4 2014 Schouten Fredreka Madhani Aamer June 19 2014 Prosecutors allege Walker in criminal scheme regarding fundraising USA Today Retrieved November 13 2014 Wisconsin Supreme Court to take up John Doe complaints watchdog org December 17 2014 Hohman James August 23 2014 The Scott Walker documents 6 must read passages Politico Retrieved August 24 2014 New emails show Scott Walker s fundraising strategy in recall election CBS News August 23 2014 Retrieved August 24 2014 a b Gold Matea August 23 2014 Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker sought help from top GOP donors for allied group The Washington Post Retrieved August 24 2014 Target of secret John Doe probe is fighting back and speaking out Wisconsin Reporter October 2 2014 Hyperventilating in Wisconsin The Wall Street Journal August 24 2014 Shapiro Jeffrey Walker support group seeks to uphold prosecution injunction The Washington Times Retrieved September 12 2014 Wisconsin prosecutors appeal for protection from blowback in partisan probe Wisconsin Reporter September 9 2014 Appeals court reverses John Doe injunction but Wisconsin s secret war far from over Wisconsin Reporter September 24 2014 O Keefe takes his case against John Doe to U S Supreme Court watchdog org January 21 2015 accessed July 27 2015 Exit Interview with Kevin Kennedy Executive Director of the Government Accountability Board wpr org June 23 2016 America s Top Model The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board UC Irvine Law Review 2013 Walker calls for dismantling of state elections board wkow July 20 2015 It hurts to be right salon com September 16 2016 Wisconsin Supreme Court won t restart John Doe probe Wisconsin State Journal April 28 2016 Pilkington Ed September 14 2016 Because Scott Walker Asked Leaked court documents from John Doe investigation in Wisconsin lay bare pervasive influence of corporate cash on modern US elections The Guardian An Email Trail Leads to Gov Walker New York Times September 19 2016 Why the Supreme Court Should Take On Political Corruption in Wisconsin newyorker com September 23 2016 US Supreme Court Declines To Hear Wisconsin s John Doe Appeal wpr org October 3 2016 External links editDatabase of Governor Walker and state senator recall petitions Election coverage at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Campaign contributions interactive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election amp oldid 1219931877, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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