Fervor of Wis. Debate Shifts to Recall Elections

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nearly a month after the Wisconsin standoff over union rights ended, some of the fervor from that debate has shifted to efforts to recall lawmakers in both parties — Republicans who voted to cut back collective bargaining and Democrats who fled the state to try to stop them.

Organizers have been working on signature-gathering efforts, but of the 16 state senators who were originally targeted, only six appear likely to face a recall election. And, organizers must find candidates to run against them.

Still, voter outrage remains high in many places, helping to stir interest in the recalls.

Political science professor Michael Kraft of the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay says he thinks the efforts will encourage lawmakers to be more careful about what they say about the budget.