It looks like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will face a recall election.
Recall organizers will reportedly turn in close to 720,000 signatures by the required deadline tomorrow (Tuesday, 6 p.m. EST), far more than the 540,208 signatures required to force the election against both Walker and GOP Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.
“I’m very confident we’ll get right to or over that 720,000 number if not more, and how it’s possible, is how Scott Walker has governed," said Mike Tate of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
The recall campaign was triggered after Walker moved to curtail public employee collective bargaining rights.
But who will run against Walker? Democrats and union leaders still don't know, but say that's OK.
"(Not having a designated candidate) forced Walker and his minions to run on their record and issues rather than to run against an announced Democratic candidate," said Marty Beil, president of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, the largest union of state workers. "That was part of the rationale through the whole recall petition collection process."
Once the signatures are verified and a recall election is declared, a primary would likely be held in May, although the timing will be unclear until possible delays related to the signature verification process and any legal challenges are resolved.
Ed Schultz will be in Madison tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 17) to cover the signature collecting deadline and will have a full report on @EdShow at 8pET on @msnbctv.