Governor Walker recall election a go

WLUK TV

Updated: Mar 30, 2012 5:27 PM

MADISON — It's official. Wisconsin's Republican Governor Scott Walker will face a recall election this spring.

The move from the Government Accountability Board was expected given the high number of signatures gathered between November and January.

It took 540,208 signatures to trigger a recall. 931,000 signatures were submitted. Nearly 901,000 of them were validated by the GAB.

“I’m satisfied that we did our job, and that the result accurately reflects what the petition was,” said Kevin Kennedy, director of the Government Accountability Board.

State Democratic Party leaders say it's a historic day, but also a very serious one.

“We have an election in ten weeks and the opportunity to change the direction the state is going, an opportunity to make a new beginning, and elect a leader who will heal Wisconsin, and reinstate some of the values that we hold dear,” said Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

While Governor Walker said he expected it, with the recall now a reality, it's time for him to make his case for staying in office.

"My hope is between now and June 5th, I can earn the trust of at least a majority of the members of the voting elector in Wisconsin again, and I think for us, it's about saying, you know what, I made promises and I fulfilled them,” said Walker.

So far four people have announced they will run against Walker in the recall election. They say they're eager to unseat the governor and bring change to Wisconsin.

“I'm thrilled. It's something that we've waited a long time to happen and we're ready to begin the campaign. The horses are in the starting gate, and I can't wait to get out and run,” said State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

“People want a leader who will bring us together, they want someone who is open and honest and they want someone who shares their values and Governor Walker has assaulted our values on every front,” said Kathleen Falk, Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

“There were over a million signatures submitted. I think they approved over 900,000 so it was just a matter of them having to meet and doing it officially, so I’m all ready to start shaking hands and collecting names and try to win an election,” said Doug La Follette, Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Barrett just announced Friday afternoon that he will run in the recall election.

Those challenging Governor Walker must turn in their nomination papers to the GAB by April 10th.

A minimum of 2,000 signatures are needed to get on the ballot.

If a Democratic primary is necessary, it will be May 8. The actual recall vote will be June 5.

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