'Fake Democrats' Fall in Wisconsin Primaries

None of the six "fake Democrats" put up by the Wisconsin Republican Party managed to stage an upset in yesterday's state Senate primary elections, setting the stage for the "real" Democratic challengers to face off with Republican incumbents next month. The ploy had already achieved its intended purpose—delaying the general recall election until Aug. 9—and the "real" Democratic candidates were expected to win all along, notes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Only one race was even close.

Even so, the fake candidates bought time for incumbent Republican state senators to campaign to keep their seats and convince voters that Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget bill was beneficial for the state. The recall elections, launched in March, are an attempt by angry Democrats to regain control of the state Senate, and the Washington Post notes that the Democrats must net three wins to do so. Three Democratic state senators also face recalls, which start next week. (More Democrats stories.)