Candidates in gubernatorial, lt. gov. and senate recalls turn in paperwork

MADISON -- Tuesday, April 10th was the deadline for would-be candidates to submit their nomination papers to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board in Madison for review, in the gubernatorial recall election against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

Candidates for governor needed at least 2,000 signatures to get on the recall election ballot.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett's day job kept him in Milwaukee Tuesday. He was represented in Madison by his wife. "Tom has the integrity and the honest and the character that we need," Kris Barrett said Tuesday.

Tom Barrett has touted endorsements from big-name Democrats Dave Obey and Barbara Lawton. "What we're seeing is a huge, huge outpouring of people I've worked with throughout my career and throughout the state signing onto this campaign," Barrett said.

Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said she's the candidate who will appeal to women and independents. "It's not enough just to disagree with Scott Walker. You also got to know what you're going to do, and that's why my campaign is the only one that's put out our plan to grow jobs and get our state back on track," Falk said.

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout brought energy from the state Capitol Tuesday, despite polls showing her lagging well behind Barrett and Falk. "I believe that right now, Wisconsin is in most unconventional times, and it is time for a most unconventional candidate. I would say if you look at who starts the race as the way that horse is going to finish the race, there would be any sport in horse racing," Vinehout said.

Secretary of State Doug LaFollette said his long history in the state and connection to the public are the strengths of his campaign. "I'm not going to spend big money. I'm not taking PAC money. I'm not going to have attack TV ads. That isn't what Wisconsin wants. There's a better way," LaFollette said.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates are not officially on the ballot yet. The signatures can be challenged up to the close of business on Friday, April 13th.

The gubernatorial primary is less than one month away.

Eight people filed nomination papers to run in the recall election against Scott Walker. Gladys Huber is a Republican who is running as a Democrat as part of a state GOP plan to ensure there is a primary. Arthur Kohl Riggs, a protester who frequently videotapes newsmakers in the Capitol, filed to run as a Republican. Michael Mangan of West Allis also filed as a Republican. Hariprasad Trivedi filed as an independent.

--

Four real Democrats and one fake Democrat filed paperwork to run against Republican Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in a recall election.

Madison firefighter and union leader Mahlon Mitchell filed Tuesday to get on the ballot as a Democrat. Also filing were truck driver Bruce Berman of Marinette, prison guard Dale Paul of Portage, and private investigator Ira Robins of Milwaukee.

Isaac Weix, a Republican running as a Democrat to ensure there would be a primary, also filed.

--

Three Democrats looking to challenge Republican state senators in this spring's recall elections have filed nomination signatures.

As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, April 10th, Lori Compas had filed signatures to challenge Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Juneau Republican, and John Lehman had filed against Sen. Van Wanggaard, a Racine Republican.

State Reps. Donna Seidel, a Wausau Democrat, and Jerry Petrowski, a Marathon Republican, filed to run for former Republican Sen. Pam Galloway's seat. Democrats forced Galloway into a recall but she resigned rather than defend her seat, leaving it open.