Wisconsin GOP's Stand Could Reverberate Elsewhere

MADISON, Wis.  — Now that Wisconsin Republicans have rebuffed a massive effort to oust them from power, the political implications could extend far beyond that state.

Democrats succeeded in taking two Wisconsin state Senate seats away from Republican incumbents on Tuesday but fell one short of what they needed to seize majority control of the chamber.

Republicans saw it as a big win for Gov. Scott Walker and a confirmation of his conservative agenda, the hallmark of which was a polarizing proposal taking away most collective bargaining rights from public workers.

The elections were also closely watched in other states undergoing similar partisan battles.

Ohio voters will decide this fall whether to accept or reject that state's union-limiting law. But unlike in Wisconsin, Ohio's Constitution makes no provision for recalling elected officials.