Shilling proclaims herself victorious

La Crosse the last county to finish recounting ballots

MADISON, Wis. — The Democratic leader in the Wisconsin state Senate is declaring victory following a recount against her Republican opponent. 

Sen. Jennifer Shilling, of La Crosse, said Friday that she emerged victorious over Dan Kapanke from the recount set to wrap up in La Crosse county that day.

Later that evening, the numbers backed Shilling’s claims. The Wisconsin Elections Commission reported Shilling had won by 61 votes (43,585 votes for Shilling, 43,524 for Kapanke and 2,093 for Chip DeNure).

Monroe and Crawford counties had finished their recounts earlier this week. Vernon County poll workers finished up on Thursday.

Shilling had entered the recount with a 56-vote advantage and had been gaining votes as the recount proceeded. 

Democrats were so confident of a Shilling win they voted to re-elect her as minority leader in the Senate last week.