Governor Scott Walker and Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch turned in the petition signatures necessary to get on the ballot for re-election on Wednesday. The Walker re-election campaign announced that they gathered 12,000 signatures, well over the 2,000 needed and the 4,000 maximum that can be turned in.
“Hard-working families across the state are standing with Governor Walker and Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch and their strong record of results – including record-low unemployment, more people working than ever before, and historic investments in education,” said Joe Fadness, Walker’s Campaign Manager in a statement on Wednesday. “The strength of this organization is tested and unmatched, and the governor’s grassroots army is prepared to work each day until November 6 to ensure that Scott Walker can enact his agenda to help Wisconsin win the 21st century. The left may be angry, but our supporters are organized and optimistic about moving our state forward.”
State law allows candidates for governor to submit 4,000 signatures to be reviewed by the state election commission even though only 2,000 are needed. Candidates can gather more signatures as supplementary in case there is a challenge to any of the nominating petitions. However, given the numbers being submitted, it’s unlikely that Democrats will mount a challenge to the governor’s nomination papers.
Kleefisch’s campaign gathered nearly 8,000 signatures, bringing the total number of signatures for the Walker/Kleefisch ticket to 20,000 from all 72 counties.
At least ten Democrats are expected to submit the necessary signatures by the June 1 deadline to qualify to appear on the ballot as candidates for governor.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield) and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are also expected to turn in the signatures necessary to appear on the ballot for the August 14 primary, according to the Associated Press. If both file as expected, it will be the most women running nationwide for the U.S. Senate ever, 42. Baldwin is expected to file well over the maximum number of signatures allowed, 13,000, according to the AP’s Scott Bauer, while Vukmir is expected to file her nomination papers in person and is expected to submit the maximum allowed by law, 4,000 signatures.
Vukmir’s opponent in the Republican primary, Kevin Nicholson, submitted the maximum allowed by law last week to qualify for the ballot.
