Lehman wins Racine Senate recount

Democrat John Lehman is declaring victory after a state Senate recount in Racine. Republicans could still challenge the result in court, as the GOP tries to hold on to control of the Senate.

On election night last month, Democrat John Lehman outpolled incumbent Republican Van Wanggaard by 834 votes. Wanggaard later demanded a recount. The Racine County clerk says the new result shows Lehman winning by 819 votes. Wanggaard can stay in office longer if he files a legal challenge to the recount in the next few days. Lehman, however, is calling on Wanggard to leave the Senate now.

Republicans claim there were voting irregularities in Racine. Jonathan Strassburg is legal counsel to Wangaard’s campaign; he says there were ballot security problems, including tampering with ballot bags. He says those problems need to be investigated, as Wisconsin remains in the spotlight.

But Racine County clerk Wendy Christensen says she’s confident the vote and the recount process would stand up to any legal challenge. If Lehman’s apparent victory stands, Democrats would control the state Senate 17-16, at least until the November elections.