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Recalled State Senator Announces Campaign For Former Seat

Kapanke Lost 32nd District Senate Seat To Shilling In 2011 Recall Elections

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Former Republican state Sen. Dan Kapanke announced that he’s running for the 32nd District Senate seat.

Kapanke was one of nine senators recalled in 2011 after he supported the controversial Act 10, a bill that impacted collective bargaining powers and other benefits for public-sector employees. Kapanke lost the recall election to Jennifer Shilling, a former state representative from La Crosse who now leads the Democratic Party in the Senate.

Kapanke said he hasn’t changed his opinion on Act 10, but he doesn’t want it to be the focus of his campaign.

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“Act 10, the recall, that certainly is not the reason I’m running,” Kapanke said. “I don’t hold grudges, I don’t have vendettas. I just want to get out here with the public and work for them.”

Despite his opponent’s leadership position, Kapanke said he would have more sway in the Senate than Shilling.

“She’s rose to the minority leader status, so that says something about leadership,” Kapanke said. “But we’re looking at me being in a majority party, with a governor that’s in our party. Who can get more done in Madison?”

Kapanke said he plans to focus on issues like transportation funding and protecting business owners.