Van Wanggaard requests a recount in state senate recall election

RACINE -- Republican Van Wanggaard is requesting a recount of votes in the recall election for state Senate. His request was formally filed on Friday morning, June 15th.

In a statement released Friday morning, Wanggaard said: "This is not about maintaining power or denying Democrats power. There are no 'secret plans' for a special legislative session during this recount, and no votes scheduled. But I also recognize that in the absence of a voter ID law and so many people suspicious of the election result, bitterness and division will only grow if the results are not recounted."

Wanggaard has to pay $5 per ward for the recount. Still, taxpayers will end up paying for a portion of the recount.

"I've paid for what was statutorily required to do this recount. The recount makes sense to me. It's trust and verify -- that is what this is about, trust and verify," Wanggaard said.

Democrat John Lehman calls the complaints by Wanggaard vague. He believes the numbers will stand.

"This process of poo-pooing what voters do in my opinion is just way over on the negative side and has never been verified," Lehman said.

An official canvass this week found Wanggaard trails his Democratic challenger by 834 votes, or 1.2 percent. The state Senate is currently split 16-16. The winner of Wanggaard’s race will give his party majority control.

However, the victory would just be largely symbolic. The Legislature isn’t expected to convene again until January, and the November elections could cause power to shift again.

The Racine County Clerk is now scrambling to get staff and supplies in place for a recount.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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