2012 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial recall election explained

Election Name:2012 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial recall election
Country:Wisconsin
Type:presidential
Ongoing:No
Election Date:June 5, 2012
Image1:File:Rebecca Kleefisch at Romney rally (cropped).JPG
Nominee1:Rebecca Kleefisch
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,301,739
Percentage1:52.9%
Nominee2:Mahlon Mitchell
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,156,520
Percentage2:47.1%
Lieutenant Governor
Before Election:Rebecca Kleefisch
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Rebecca Kleefisch
After Party:Republican Party (United States)
Map Size:250px
Previous Year:1968
Previous Election:1968 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

The 2012 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial recall election was a special election to elect the lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. It resulted in voters retaining incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Rebecca Kleefisch over the Democratic candidate Mahlon Mitchell. Kleefisch's retention made her the first lieutenant governor to run in and survive a recall.[1] Primary elections took place on May 8, 2012.[2]

Background

Gubernatorial succession

The lieutenant governor is established within Article V of the Wisconsin Constitution as the first person in the line of succession of Wisconsin's executive branch, and serves as governor in the event of the death, resignation, removal, impeachment, absence from the state, or incapacity due to illness of the governor of Wisconsin.[3]

Gubernatorial succession came into focus during the recall, as under Wisconsin law, the lieutenant governor is "acting governor" whenever the governor leaves the state. This arrangement, paired with the recall election, could have led to a scenario where the governor was of one party, and the lieutenant governor was of another party.[4]

While acting as governor, the lieutenant governor has all the powers of the governor, though the impacts would be limited as the governor, upon their return, can immediately reverse any actions taken in their absence.[5]

Despite speculation, such a scenario never came to pass as Kleefisch won re-election by 5.8%.

2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall election

Despite holding an office with little to no actual power, serving an almost entirely ceremonial purpose, Kleefisch faced similar anger from Wisconsinites regarding her role in Walker's efforts to weaken collective bargaining rights. Similar to Walker, Kleefisch had low favorability ratings, with one Marquette poll leaving her around 25% favorability, compared with 31% unfavorability.[6]

Republican primary

Democratic primary

Similarly to Gladys Huber in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, in this primary, the Republican Party supported a "placeholder" candidate, Isaac Weix, a perennial candidate who had previously ran in the 10th Senate district's Democratic recall election primary. The purpose of Weix running was to force Democrats to hold a recall primary for lieutenant governor and give Republicans more time to campaign for the general election.[8] Democrats also opposed candidates such as Weix because they felt that such candidates would only confuse voters.

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Failed to make ballot

Declined

Results

General election

Results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2012-06-05 . Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch survives recall election . 2012-07-23 . News8000.com.
  2. Web site: Hall . Dee J. . March 15, 2012 . Judge OKs petition review extension, June 5 recall election . March 20, 2012 . Wisconsin State Journal.
  3. Book: State of Wisconsin 2007 - 2008 Blue Book . Wisconsin Legislature Joint Committee on Legislative Organization . 2007 . Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau . Madison . 213 - 215 . Chapter 3: Wisconsin Constitution (Article V) . PDF . December 22, 2017 . https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2007_2008/400_constitution.pdf.
  4. News: Ramde . Dinesh . June 5, 2012 . Wis. Lt. Gov. Kleefisch survives recall election . May 18, 2024 . Associated Press.
  5. News: Ramde . Dinesh . May 29, 2012 . Wisconsin recall: Vote could put opposing parties in top two offices . May 18, 2024 . St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  6. Web site: Charles . Franklin . May 16, 2012 . Marquette Law School Poll shows Walker, Kleefisch lead in recall . May 18, 2024 . Marquette University Law School.
  7. Web site: County Vote for Lieutenant Governor . May 18, 2024 . University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries . 913.
  8. News: Henzl . Ann-Elise . April 4, 2012 . GOP to Run "Fake Democrats" in all Six Republican Recall Elections . May 18, 2024 . WUWM.
  9. News: Frank . Steve . March 19, 2012 . Wisconsin firefighters union head enters lt. governor's race . May 18, 2024 . NBC News.
  10. News: Konkol . Denise . March 6, 2012 . Ira Robins Will Challenge Rebecca Kleefisch for Lt. Governor . May 18, 2024 . Muskego Patch.
  11. Web site: Isaac Weix - person . May 18, 2024 . Wisconsin Public Radio.
  12. News: April 16, 2012 . 6 fake Democrats allowed on Wis. recall ballot . May 18, 2024 . St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  13. News: April 10, 2012 . 4 candidates fail to qualify for recall ballot . May 18, 2024 . St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  14. News: Jones . Stephanie . December 9, 2011 . Mason considering a run for Lt. Gov., Lehman mulling another run for state Senate . subscription . May 18, 2024 . The Journal Times.