One Wisconsin Recall Election Down, Eight to Go

The countdown is on to the August recall elections.

With the second round of primaries that took place last week, we now know exactly who will be squaring off in the eight recall elections to come.

Sen. Dave Hansen (D-30) survived his recall last week, defending his seat against Republican challenger David VanderLeest.

Also, in the GOP primaries Kim Simac defeated Lincoln County Board Chair Robert Lussow for the nomination in District 12; and Jonathan Steitz recieved the nomination for District 22, beating Kenosha County Board Supv. Fred Ekornaas.

That leaves Kim Simac challenging Sen. Jim Holperin (D-12) and Jonathan Steitz going up against Sen. Robert Wirch (D-22) on Aug. 16.

You can follow all the Wisconsin recall election news on our sibling AOL property—The Huffington Post. HuffPo has a live blog going of all the news and notes about recall campaigns across the state. Check out the live blog

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Rep. Dean Knudson (R-District 30)

• On Wednesday, July 20, Rep. Knudson voted in favor of SB 148, the redistricting legislation introduced by the GOP. The legislation passed the Assembly with a 57-40 vote mostly along party lines; Republican Rep. Samantha Kerkman of Powers Lake and Independent Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc joined the Democrats in voting against the legislation.
• On Wednesday, July 20, Knudson posted a new video blog on his legislative Web page.
• Rep. Knudson has no committee meetings scheduled for the week.

Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-District 10)

• On Tuesday, July 19, Sen. Harsdorf voted in favor of SB 148, the redistricting legislation introduced by the GOP. The bill passed along party lines, with a 19-14 vote in the Wisconsin Senate.
• Harsdorf will celebrate her birthday on July 25. She turns 55.
• Harsdorf has no committee meetings scheduled for the week.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)

• On Tuesday, July 19, Rep. Kind voted against H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act. The legislation intended to cut spending by more than $100 billion in 2012; as well as capping future spending to a falling percentage of the GDP through 2021. It would also prohibit any additional borrowing by the Federal government unless congress approves an amendment balancing the budget. In a press statement, Kind commented that "we need a bipartisan approach to balancing the budget and we need a long-term solution to our structural budget deficits." The bill passed 234-190, it now awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate.
• On Tuesday, July 19, Kind released the following statement in regards to Gov. Walker's support for the new Stillwater Bridge project: "I’m pleased that the state legislature and Gov. Walker took the steps to move the Stillwater Bridge project forward. It is my hope that the House and the Senate can do the same. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to address the transportation needs of the area so that we can finally move forward on the construction of the St. Croix River Crossing project."
• On Wednesday, July 20, Kind voted against H.R. 2553, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV. In a press release, Kind stated that he voted against the legislation because "This bill makes significant cuts to a program many of our rural community airports, including the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport; rely on for key funding." The bill passed with a vote of 243-177; it now awaits action in the Senate.
• Tweet of the week: "Thanks @NPCA for the Friend of the National Parks Award. We must take care of our nation's treasures!"
• Kind has two meetings scheduled for the Committee on Ways and Means, they are on July 26 and 28.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

• On Tuesday, July 19, Sen. Johnson appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe, to discuss the debate on the debt ceiling.
• On Wednesday, July 20, Johnson voted in favor of H.R. 2055, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012. The legislation appropriates funding to the Department of Defense and other agencies for military construction projects and veteran affairs. The bill passed the Senate with a 97-2 vote; it now awaits the signature of President Obama.
• On Thursday, July 21, Johnson released a press statement commenting on the recent House of Representatives passage of the Cut, Cap and Balance Act. Johnson stated that the bill "cuts spending next year, establishes caps to limit the growth in spending over the next 10 years, and then increases the debt ceiling contingent on the passage of a Constitutional Amendment to limit spending and balance our budget."
• Tweet of the week:"Meaningful tax reform is important, but without correction of our spending binge, even best tax reform will not help"
• Johnson has three committee meetings scheduled in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; they are on Tuesday, July 26, Wednesday, July 17 and Thursday, July 28.

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

• On Wednesday, July 20, Sen. Kohl voted in favor of H.R. 2055, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012.
• On Wednesday, July 20, Kohl sent a letter urging Attorney General Eric Holder and Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski to reject the bid by AT&T to takeover T-Mobile. In the letter, Kohl wrote that "an acquisition which would decrease the number of national competitors from four to three in an already highly concentrated market, and one that eliminates the low price competitor from this market, is in my view highly dangerous to competition and consumers."
• Kohl has a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 27.
• Kohl has a committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 16, for the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.