Dexter downs protest candidate

Associated Press

Updated: May 8, 2012 10:12 PM

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former state Rep. Kristin Dexter has defeated protest candidate James Engel in a state Senate recall primary.

Preliminary results from Tuesday's elections show Dexter, an Eau Claire Democrat, with 63 percent of the vote. Engel, of Fall Creek, had 37 percent.

Dexter advances to face Republican Sen. Terry Moulton of Chippewa Falls in a June 5 general recall election.

Dexter and two other Democrats want to oust Moulton and two other Republican senators as punishment for passing GOP Gov. Scott Walker's plan restricting public workers' union rights. Another Democrat was vying to face Republican Rep. Jerry Petrowski for an open Senate seat in that same election.

All four Democrats faced Republicans running as Democrats on Tuesday. The GOP recruited protest candidates to ensure all the Democrats had primaries.

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