Gov. Scott Walker and Dem challenger Tony Evers were in a nip-and-tuck race late Tuesday night in what could be one of the closest races in Wisconsin history.

With 85 percent of precincts reporting, the two were neck-and-neck as the lead swung back and forth, setting up the possibility of the first recount in a statewide race since Republicans changed the standard following the 2016 presidential contest.

Now, any candidate seeking a recount must finish no more than 1 percent behind the winner. If the margin is .25 percent or more of the total votes cast, the candidate requesting the recount would have to pay for it.

Two years ago, Green Party candidate Jill Stein sought a recount and covered the cost as she finished a distant fourth.

Eighteen years ago, Al Gore beat George Bush in Wisconsin in the 2000 presidential race by 5,708 votes. Four years later, fellow Dem John Kerry took the state by 11,384 votes.

On the guv’s front, Dem John Reynolds won the 1962 guv race by 11,955 votes over Republican Philip Kuehn.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email