Wisconsin court challenger raising recount dollars
Photo
Justice David Prosser, speaks to supporters at the Seven Seas Restaurant Tuesday April 5, 2011 in Waukesha Wis. as he takes on Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg for the Wisconsin Supreme Court seat.
Photo
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg, assistant attorney general, addresses her supporters in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, April 6, 2011, telling the audience the race to close to call. Kloppenburg faces incumbent Justice David Prosser.
A stunning discovery of votes in Wisconsin could give the state’s hotly contested Supreme Court race to the conservative incumbent in an election largely seen as a referendum on Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s explosive union rights law.
Adding another twist, the county clerk who said she incorrectly entered vote totals in the race has faced criticism before for her handling of elections and previously worked for a state GOP caucus when it was controlled by the candidate who stands to benefit from Thursday’s revelation.
The corrected totals gave Justice David Prosser a 7,500-vote lead over little-known liberal assistant state attorney general JoAnne Kloppenburg, according to unofficial tallies. Before the announcement, it was assumed the race was headed for a recount. The difference between the two had fluctuated throughout the day Thursday as counties began verifying votes, but at one point was as close as 11.
Opponents of the law that takes away nearly all public employee collective bargaining rights had hoped a Kloppenburg victory would set the stage for the high court to strike it down.
Kloppenburg’s campaign manager, Melissa Mulliken, demanded a full explanation of how the error occurred and said an open records request for all relevant documents would be filed. She also said Friday that the campaign has started raising money for a recount.
Prosser told Fox News on Thursday night that the race should not be considered a referendum on Walker or any legislation that may end up at the court. He said they are waiting out the process.
“I’m not conceding, and I’m not congratulating. And I’m not claiming victory,” he said.
Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus said it was “human error” that resulted in more than 14,000 votes from her predominantly GOP county not being reported to The Associated Press on Tuesday. She said the most significant error occurred when she entered but did not save totals from the city of Brookfield, a suburb of Milwaukee.
“This is not a case of extra votes or extra ballots being found,” Nickolaus said. “This is human error, which I apologize for.”
Ramona Kitzinger, the vice chair of Waukesha County Democratic party who observed the canvass, said she is satisfied the numbers are now correct.
“We went over everything and made sure all the numbers jibed up and they did,” she said.
Nickolaus worked for 13 years for a Republican caucus that was controlled by Prosser when he was Assembly speaker in 1995 and 1996. She was given immunity from prosecution in a 2002 criminal investigation into illegal activity by members of the caucus where she worked as a data analyst and computer specialist.
The corruption probe took down five legislative leaders, all of whom reached plea deals. Nickolaus resigned from her state job in 2002 just before launching her county clerk campaign.
Nickolaus also has been criticized by the Waukesha County Board for her handling of past elections and lack of oversight in her operations.
An audit of Nickolaus’ handling of the 2010 election found she needed to take steps to improve security and backup procedures, including not sharing passwords. The audit was requested after the county’s director of administration said Nickolaus had been uncooperative with attempts to have county experts review her systems and confirm backups were in place.
The surprise discovery of votes that could give Prosser the win had liberal groups crying foul.
“There is a history of secrecy and partisanship surrounding the Waukesha County Clerk and there remain unanswered questions,” Scot Ross, director of the liberal group One Wisconsin Now, said in a statement.
Rep. Peter Barca, Democratic Assembly minority leader, said the mistake raises significant suspicion that could warrant an investigation.
“It doesn’t instill confidence in her competence or integrity,” Barca said.
Prosser issued a statement saying he was encouraged by various reports from counties as they began verifying the votes. He did not specifically mention the Waukesha County change.
“Our confidence is high, and we will continue to monitor with optimism, and believe that the positive results will hold. We’ve always maintained faith in the voters and trust the election officials involved in the canvasing will reaffirm the lead we’ve taken.”
The race was so close, despite 1.5 million votes being cast, that the lead flipped back and forth repeatedly on Election Day and in the days after as preliminary totals were checked and updated.
The Government Accountability Board, which is in charge of overseeing Wisconsin’s elections, will review Waukesha County’s numbers to verify the totals, said agency director Kevin Kennedy.
Kennedy said it was unfortunate the clerk didn’t double-check the data before releasing it to the media. Kennedy also said such mistakes are known to happen but that “we just don’t see them of this magnitude.”
Nickolaus said she didn’t notice an absence of votes because her figures showed a 42 percent voter turnout, which exceeded the 30 percent turnout the county typically sees in spring elections.
“That was an amazing amount of votes,” she said. “So I had no reason to believe I was missing anything.”
Scott Bauer reported from Madison. Associated Press writer Dinesh Ramde in Milwaukee also contributed to this report.
Apr 10, 2011 at 8:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
SarahB1- I'm glad you approve. Will you start watching now?
Apr 10, 2011 at 6:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
When lefties are unhappy they always bring up the Koch brothers and Fox news. It's called a diversionary tactic.
Apr 9, 2011 at 7:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mudsill-I hope you remember to take your meds today. "leaf eater"? Still can't figure out what that means and you are what you eat?
Apr 9, 2011 at 4:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
It makes you think; WHY would any one want this elected position soo badly?? oh yea, the POWER...
JUST like the person that wants to be a cop really, really bad..probably should never be one!!
Apr 8, 2011 at 10:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Kloppenberg, sounds like something you step in!
Apr 8, 2011 at 10:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
clarity, I think a conserva-bagger is a conservative who works at the grocery store and bags groceries.
Apr 8, 2011 at 10 p.m.
Suggest removal
westorbust and mudsill, you both make great points and similar points. This is much more than a Republican versus Democrat problem. This is a problem of allowing economic elitists (those whose interests are not aligned with the people who support them with votes) controlling policy in this country.
-
I've taken a lot of grief from you at times mudsill for pointing out almost exactly what you are saying tonight. I'm not sure if you've had a recent revelation or if you were being cantankerous with me in the past or if you truly had some issue with what I was saying -- which is exactly what I'm saying now.
-
All presidents, regardless of party, have been economic elitists of varying degree but always very near the top of the scale of elitism. If people want true reform, they are going to have to elect representatives, senators, governors and presidents whose interests are aligned with them - populists.
Apr 8, 2011 at 9:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
You righty conserva-baggers amaze me. Walker spent $11 million dollars on his campaign to win the governorship. Tom Barrett spent $6.7 million.
How on God's green earth can you think Walker (or Barrett for that matter) has any interest in understanding or caring about real people with real financial problems? Riddle me that, Batman. Is that what your Grandpa fought in WWII for?
Apr 8, 2011 at 9:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks, I'll add stupid and leaf eater to the list that we Repubs have been refered in these posts. Always good to know that there's still more names we can be called.
Apr 8, 2011 at 9:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Tax Day Rally
http://americansforprosperity.org/033111...
Apr 8, 2011 at 9:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'm shocked nobody commented about Fox News from this article. Usually just a casual mention drives the left nuts.
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks poobah but I have my own, the DVD 2 disc version with the Jessie Jackson intro. Don't get much better than that.
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
@janesvillecomments (2. Prosser could recoup some lost "class points" by contributing to the payment for a recount.)
2. Kloppenburg could recover some lost class points by conceding as eagerly as she declared victory with a 200 vote unofficial vote total
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
poorrichard, you sound a bit frustrated tonight. Would you like to borrow my Al Sharpton motivational CD?
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Two points:
1. The title of the story: "Wisconsin court challenger raising recount dollars", and neither Scott Bauer or Dinesh Ramde think to tell us what the cost of a recount will be?
2. Prosser could recoup some lost "class points" by contributing to the payment for a recount.
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
westorbust: You are right. They don't know the history of their own state.
Apr 8, 2011 at 8:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you so much for enlightening us ignorant,cheating, lying, incompetent, insane, Koch Bros. loving Republicans.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
The county clerk in Waukesha needs to get a pink slip. She is incompetent. That is a proven fact and she is associated with Prosser. That is suspect right there. So yes, there needs to be a recount. She was ALMOST prosecuted before. If in fact it is an error, that still does not excuse her refusing to use the system that most counties in the state are using. Now tell me why did she decide she had to use her own system? That is also suspect. And then forgot to back it up? Give me a break. It sounds like something is rotten in Denmark. And I don't care if you are Democrat or Republican, you would think you would want a fair election. And I'm not sure we have one here. So it has to be redone. Everything that Scott Walker has done is going to cost Wisconsin people a lot of money. But so be it. He is the one who started the war. Not the unions. He is only interested in corruption and filling his own pockets. Plus he has to pay the Koch Bros. I think he has gotten in over his head bigtime.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
The headlines the Left would like:
1. Prosser wins by 204 votes over Kloppenburg. Immediate recount to be done due to voter fraud.
2. 7500 votes found for Kloppenburg. Honest clerk said it was "human Error". People rejoice in her honesty.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
bebe: I have to tell you this, but the county clerk would not be in the union. Her employees would be. This tells you how much you know. She is an elected official. They are not part of the union. So please get your facts correct.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
"Taking your state back" LOL, you guys don't understand labor history, nor the history of your own state. The ignorance by those that call themselves conservative is astounding.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Poobah: Thanks for enlightening me once again.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bet she would get more Playmate of the Year votes than Prosser... :-)
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Time will tell if Kloppy and her lawyers pull the same kind of stunt as Algore's lawyers during the election of 2000.
Apr 8, 2011 at 7:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
She would probably declare herself playmate of the month before the vote tally was completed :O
Apr 8, 2011 at 6:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe The Klopper could pose for Playboy and pick up a few bucks.
Apr 8, 2011 at 6:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
bebe53 said, "...all of us sane conservatives..."
-
There must be at least three of those in Wisconsin.
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
totellthetruth said, "And here is something else for you.. Scott walker watch is registered in Bellevue, WA and hosted
.
.
Get this.
Fareham, HAMPSHIRE PO15 5RQ
GB
Scott walker watch dot com is sending jobs overseas.. Thank you very much mr. liberal everybody for being so hypocritical. "
-
Sorry, totellthetruth, but I have to call you exactly what you are when you try speculating about matters regarding domain registrations - grossly ignorant. If you knew anything about this, you would know that the Bellevue, Washington address is the address of the Domain PRIVACY PROTECTION service that the registrant has used. It is NOT the address of the host or registrant. I've been involved in Internet businesses as an owner for almost 17 years and have registered thousands of domains.
-
No questions for you this time as you never answer them anyway.
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
It should now be crystal clear that the "Majority" of Wisconsin DOES NOT support unions. This proves that the state is SPLIT on it if anything! In actuality I think this proves it actually leans a bit more NON-UNION. So that hot air can end today...
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
I love it when liberal groups, democrats, and other socialists cry foul... it's music to my ears :)
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
I don't think finding someone to run against kaspankme and flopper will be to hard.. So how is that democrat recall thing going for ya. good luck.
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
And for those who are encouraging a complaint to the Government Accountabilty Board for a full investigation, what would that look like?
GAB is in Waukesha and will be back before the end of the day after finding nothing. If Kevin Kennedy would have thought for one minute that something fishey was going on, he would have went himself and not sent the underlings.
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Recount??? If 200 votes was clear and decisive enough for Kloppenburg to bolt out in front of the cameras and declare victory then wouldn't 7,500 be pretty decisive?? Hmm Interesting...
Apr 8, 2011 at 5:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bigfish1 is correct regarding Sen. Cullen (post of 3:33p). Sen. Cullen (seems to be one of the few sane Dems in the Senate) also has been quoted that there has NOT been any violations of the open meeting law as it regards the budget repair bill issue.
Sorry local lefties!
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
"Wisconsin court challenger raising recount dollars"
Wait a minute, I thought she said Wednesday the was the winner? Now she's the challenger?
According to a WEAC email to its followers, they are having a gathering at the capitol right now for "Supreme Court Justice Elect Kloppenburg".
I'm confused! Where is Eyster when I need him to set me straight?
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Demand a comprehensive and thorough investigation at:
http://gab.wi.gov/feedback/complaints
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Access has an AutoSave option that you can set to automatically save the data every "x" minutes. When I was working I had it set a just a few minutes in case I forgot to save when I logged off. That way, if you forget to manually save, just "x" minutes of work is lost. Not 14,000 entries.
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/04/0...
walkers buddies kid resigns after demotion.. koch must be hiring already?
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just seen on Craig's list:
For sale:
1 unused oak gavel
1 unused black robe
Call Sloppy Kloppy at 1-608-IVE-LOST
=========================
Good one jvldss!
Apr 8, 2011 at 4:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Once again a mystery box full of ballots was found (who knows where???) to put the rupubs ahead.
Apr 8, 2011 at 3:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
mouse, get over it and I advise you stop reading such wacko websites. Porn for liberals
Apr 8, 2011 at 3:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
According to Cullen there is no voter fraud....
Apr 8, 2011 at 3:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!
Apr 8, 2011 at 2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
actually her incompetence was discovered just not noted.
Apr 8, 2011 at 2:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cy-Klopps has the Franken team coming in. I completely invite them to look for voter fraud, especially the 10,644 votes from Dane County that just voted for Kloppenburg and not Mayor?!?
http://media2.620wtmj.com/breakingnews/E...
Apr 8, 2011 at 2:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Again, why can't the local writers report on this? Also, I read a similar article earlier that had a different headline. Also, her previous employment with the GOP shouldn't even be mentioned. It has nothing to do with her incompetence.
Apr 8, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just seen on Craig's list:
For sale:
1 unused oak gavel
1 unused black robe
Call Sloppy Kloppy at 1-608-IVE-LOST
Apr 8, 2011 at 1:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Best cheater wins. That's politics. Always has been.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.