His victory is pending recount decision by Wanggaard
By Ed Nadolski
Editor in Chief
A canvass of the 21st Senate District recall election completed Tuesday morning increased the margin of victory for challenger John Lehman over incumbent Republican Van Wanggaard by 55 votes.
The margin of victory now stands at 834 votes, up from the 779 posted after last week’s election in a hotly contested race that garnered more than 70,000 ballots.
The canvass, conducted by Racine County Clerk Wendy Christensen’s office, verified the result of the June 5 election and took into account late-arriving absentee ballots, as allowed by election law.
Lehman issued the following statement late Tuesday morning:
“After today’s canvass, we are even more confident in our victory. I look forward to getting to work in Madison and focusing on new jobs for Racine County residents.”
In a separate statement, Senate Democrat Leader Mark Miller called on Wanggaard to concede the election.
Whether Wanggaard requests a recount remains to be seen.
“The Wanggaard campaign will be considering its options regarding a recount over the coming days and will make on announcement on its plans by the end of the week,” Dan Romportl, executive director of the Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, said in a statement issued to media.
Romportl said Wanggaard would have no further comment at this time.
The 21st District was one of four Republican-controlled districts that faced a recall last week and, apparently, the only one in which Republicans did not prevail.
If Lehman’s victory stands, the balance of power in the Senate will swing to the Democrats by a single vote.
The 21st District includes most of Racine County with the exception of the city and town of Burlington and the village and town of Waterford.
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