All Results Are In

     The Vilas County Clerk was reporting between 50 and 55% voter turnout in yesterday's recall election.  Thank you to everyone who voted and made sure that the Northwoods voice was really heard.  With all precincts finally reporting, let's break down some of the results:



Holperin

 Districtwide

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  30,321 (55%)
Kim Simac (R- Eagle River) -      24,813 (45%)

Vilas County

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  5,242 (53%)
Kim Simac (R- Eagle River) -      4,693 (47%)

Oneida County

Jim Holperin (i) (D - Conover) -  8,945 (58%)
Kim Simac (R-Eagle River)      -  6,506 (42%)


     Each candidate's strongest showing percentagewise was in a small county that was entirely in the district.  Jim Holperin won 77% of the vote in Menominee County, while Simac won 57% of the vote in Florence County.  The 12th Senate District includes parts of eleven counties, including all of Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Forest, Florence, Langlade and Menominee Counites; the northern 1/3 of Oconto County, the northern 3/4 of Marinette County, the northwestern 1/4 of Shawano County, and five towns in Marathon County.  Please note that the results reported above are unofficial, and that the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board expects to certify the results and make the offical tallies available next week.
     After the election, Senator Holperin thanked his supporters and constituents, saying "I have never had the kind of support from people like you every single day in every single way across the district."  Meanwhile, Simac was also thankful for her supporters, and stated "I think it's always worth it to stand up for what you believe is right, and I think that's what all of the people did here in this district, and I think you just continue to go on.  It's always worth it."
     With state recall elections finally over, the Democrats were able to pick up two seats in the Senate, with Republicans Dan Kapanke (R-LaCrosse) and Randy Hopper (R - Fond du Lac) losing their seats to Democratic challengers.  This leaves the Republicans in control of Senate with a slim 17-16 majority.  They also control the Assembly, Governor's Mansion, and Supreme Court.  Many are beginning to focus on Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), who is seen as a center-leaning Republican and who was the only GOP senator to vote against Wisconsin Act 10, which extremely curtailed collective bargaining for public employees.
     One thing, however, is for sure.  No matter which side of this most recent election your were on, we think that everyone will be happy that our televisions, radios, and mailboxes will be rid of these political ads for at least a little while.