It prompted Senate Democrats to leave the state temporarily, and drew thousands of protesters to the State Capitol in Madison.
In addition to Harsdorf, the following Republicans face recall elections Tuesday:
• District 2 -- Senator Robert Cowles (R)
• District 8 -- Senator Alberta Darling (R)
• District 14 -- Senator Luther Olsen (R)
• District 18 -- Senator Randy Hopper (R)
• District 32 -- Senator Dan Kapanke (R)
These two Democrats face recall elections on August 16:
• District 12 -- Senator Jim Holperin (D)
• District 22 -- Senator Robert Wirch (D)
A third Democrat, Sen. Dave Hansen of District 30, survived his recall election July 19. More than $30 million has poured in, mostly from out of state, to fund the battle for the Wisconsin state senate.
Tuesday’s election may unseat six Republicans. The recalls may shift the balance of power in the state Senate from the current 19-14 Republican majority.
IN PICTURES: Wisconsin protest signs
Tuesday’s election carries political currency for Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, and other states where high-stakes partisan fights erupted after Republican upsets in the state legislature, governor’s office, or both.
The recall elections will answer “whether Republicans have overreached or not,” says Burden. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan group that tracks campaign spending in the state, reports that, as of Sunday, total spending in the recall election reached $33 million.