Wis. Senate to transfer power Tuesday
The Wisconsin state Senate will meet Tuesday to transition from Republican to Democratic control after Democrats picked up the one seat needed in the June recall election to gain the majority.
The victory by John Lehman over Republican incumbent Sen. Van Wanggaard of Racine, certified Wednesday by the state elections board following a recount, was the only Democratic win in four Senate recall elections. Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch also both easily won in the recalls.
But with Lehman's win, Democrats now have a narrow 17-16 edge through the end of this year. The Legislature is not scheduled to be in session, so unless the Republican-controlled Assembly or Walker call for lawmakers to return, Senate Democrats won't be able to pass any bills or take action that requires votes in the Assembly.
The November elections, in which seats held by 10 Democrats and six Republicans are up for grabs, will determine which party has control starting in 2013.
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Walker is not currently considering calling a special session, said his spokesman, Cullen Werwie.
"The only way that would happen is if there's broad bipartisan support which would have to be from all four caucuses for a narrowly defined set of bills aimed at job creation," Werwie said.
The full Senate does plan to meet Tuesday so Democrats can elect a new president, who presides over the chamber, and a president pro tempore. Those positions are currently held by Sen. Mike Ellis of Neenah and Sen. Joe Leibham of Sheboygan.
Democratic Sen. Fred Risser of Madison, who has been in the Legislature since 1957 and is the longest-serving state lawmaker in the country, is expected to take over the president's role. He was Senate president for the two years before Republicans took control following the 2010 election and several times before that.
Republican and Democratic leaders agreed to the Tuesday meeting so the transition could take place. Incoming Democratic Majority Leader Sen. Mark Miller said he was glad Republicans "have agreed to the past precedent ensuring a smooth transition through the transfer of power."
Lehman is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday in Racine.