A Democrat who came up on the losing end of a close-fought state Senate primary said he won’t challenge the results of a recount, but won’t support the winner of the primary in November either.
Ernie Wittwer was a candidate in the Democratic primary election in a southwestern Wisconsin district that has been represented by retiring state Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, for more than 20 years.
Wittwer said that he’s convinced there was no way for him to win a court challenge against the recount results that left his opponent Pat Bomhack up by a total of 33 votes in the primary. He added that he won’t support Bomhack in the general election: He believes that that the attorney from Spring Green only won the race because of backing from Senate Majority Leader Chris Larson.
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“The Democrats from Madison messing in this primary has just made a whole bunch of people really upset,” said Wittwer.
Wittwer said he expected Bomhack would get “creamed” by Republican Howard Marklein in the general election.
Bomhack did not return a call this afternoon seeking comment.
The 17th State Senate District that will soon be vacated by Schultz is a must-win for Democrats if they hope to have any chance of regaining a Senate majority.
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