Lazich Targeted for Recall; Numbers Suggest She's Safe

Republican Sen. Mary Lazich, who represents Greenfield, is the latest state politician caught up in the recall fever. Recent election numbers suggests she has little to worry about. 

The recall effort against Lazich - and the seven other Senate Republicans eligible for recall - was filed on March 2, according to the state's Government Accountability Board. Recall organizers need to acquire 20,973 signatures within 60 days to force Lazich into a recall election.

 A Madison-based political action committee, "Committee to Recall Mary Lazich," filed with the state on March 3. Organizers create the PAC to raise money to coordinate a campaign around the recall. 

Peter Larson, listed with a PO Box address in Madison, is named as treasurer of the PAC.  Kim Barden, with an address only list as "WI," is named as an "additional contact." 

A Facebook page exists to recall Lazich. As of Friday morning, 222 people had "Liked" the page, but that doesn't necessarily represent support. (For example, we "Liked" the page to follow updates on the page, not because we support the recall.)

Lazich, who lives in New Berlin, was re-elected to a four-year term in 2008. Her district - District 28 - includes Greenfield, Greendale and Muskego.

Even if the recall is successful, Lazich appears safe from a recall. Two out of three voters supported Gov. Scott Walker in the last election, according to this  Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report. 

Lazich's recall is part of a larger recall battle forming in the Senate. Republicans and Democrats have launched recall efforts against 14 of the Senate's 33 members.

Only two members who are eligible for recall - Senators must serve a year before they can be recalled - do not have recall efforts against them. Sens. Lena Taylor and Julie Lassa, both Democrats,  have not been targeted, according to the Government Accountability Board.

Recall efforts for both parties are fueled by a stalemate over Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to strip public employee unions of their collective-bargaining rights. Fourteen Democratic senators fled the state to prevent the Senate from establishing a quorum and voting on Walker's plan.

The state Assembly approved the proposal.