State Senate recall recount nearing an end

Democrats would have 17-16 edge in Senate if Lehman wins

MADISON, Wis. — The recount in a Republican state senator’s recall race will wrap up soon, but that doesn’t mean the partisan battle will be over.

Gov. Scott Walker called for better relations between the parties after his recall win. But that idea could suffer because of a fight over who’ll control the state Senate.

Democratic challenger John Lehman has an 834-vote lead in the recall race to oust GOP state Sen. Van Wanggaard. A recount is expected to conclude Monday.

But Republicans are threatening a lawsuit because some voters who registered at the polls failed to sign a poll list. A lawsuit could drag out the process for months.

A Lehman win would give Democrats a 17-16 edge in the Senate. However, 16 senators are up for election in the fall.