State legislative recalls

See also: States where state legislators can be recalled

State Legislative Recalls
Special Elections by Date
2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2009 2008 • 2003 • 1996 • 1995 1994 • 1990 • 1988 • 1985 1983 • 1971 • 1935 • 1932 1914 • 1913
Political Recalls Portal
List of Recall Efforts States with Recalls • Political recall laws

State legislators can be recalled in 18 states. As of June 2013, 72 recalls have been attempted, with 35 making it to the ballot. Of those, 19 have been successful. The first successful recall occurred in California in 1913.

History

1913-2008

Between 1913 and 2008, there were 21 state legislative recall elections and all of them took place in just five states: California, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon and Wisconsin.

• 13 of the recall elections were directed at state senators, with 8 successfully recalled.
• 8 of the recall elections were directed at state representatives, with 5 successfully recalled.

Of the 21 state legislative recall elections, 13 were successful.

Recall of Wisconsin State Senators in 2011

In 2011, residents of Wisconsin took effort to recall as many as 16 sitting state senators. Sufficient signatures were ratified for nine senators, and all nine faced recall during August 2011. Two sitting Republican senators -- Dan Kapanke and Randy Hopper -- were recalled. As a result of the Wisconsin Senators, the nation figures climbed to 29 total state legislative recalls.

November 8, 2011

Voters removed two state legislators on November 8, 2011.

• Arizona Republican Sen. Russell Pearce was defeated. He was serving as President of the Senate at the time.
• Michigan Republican Rep. Paul Scott was removed from office. Voters targeted dozens of legislators with recall campaigns, but Scott's was the only one that made the ballot.

Recall of Wisconsin State Senators in 2012

In 2012, residents of Wisconsin took effort to recall four state Senators. The four, all of whom were Republican, faced recall on June 5. Ultimately, one of the incumbents, Van Wanggaard was successfully recalled following a recount. This gave Democrats control of the Senate.

Recall campaigns

• 2013
• 2012
• 2011
• 2009
• 2008
• 2003
• 1996
• 1995
• 1994
• 1990
• 1988
• 1985
• 1983
• 1971
• 1935
• 1932
• 1914
• 1913

There were 6 state legislative recalls attempted in 2013.

• Angela Giron recall, Colorado State Senate (2013)
• Chad Campbell recall, Arizona House of Representatives (2013)
• Evie Hudak recall, Colorado State Senate (2013)
• John Kavanagh recall, Arizona House of Representatives (2013)
• John Morse recall, Colorado State Senate (2013)
• Michael McLachlan recall, Colorado House of Representatives (2013)

There was 13 state legislative recalls attempted in 2012.

• Bob Jauch recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2012)
• Bruce Caswell recall, Michigan State Senate (2012)
• Charles Kleckley recall, Louisiana House of Representatives (2012)
• George Cromer recall, Louisiana House of Representatives (2012)
• Kevin Pearson recall, Louisiana House of Representatives (2012)
• Pam Galloway recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2012)
• Patrick Colbeck recall, Michigan State Senate (2012)
• Phil Pavlov recall, Michigan State Senate (2012)
• Randy Richardville recall, Michigan State Senate (2012)
• Ray Garofalo recall, Louisiana House of Representatives (2012)
• Scott Fitzgerald recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2012)
• Terry Moulton recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2012)
• Van Wanggaard recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2012)

There were 26 state legislative recalls attempted in 2011.

• Al Pscholka recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Alberta Darling recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Brandon Dillon recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Dan Kapanke recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Dave Hansen recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• James Bolger recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Jim Holperin recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Jim Townsend recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• John Moolenaar recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• John Pappageorge recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• Judy Emmons recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• Kurt Damrow recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Kyle Johansen recall, Alaska (2011)
• Lisa Brown recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Luther Olsen recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Michael Nofs recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• Mike Green recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• Mike Shirkey recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Nancy Jenkins recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Paul Scott recall, Michigan House of Representatives (2011)
• Randy Hopper recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Randy Richardville recall, Michigan State Senate (2011)
• Robert Cowles recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Robert Wirch recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)
• Russell Pearce recall, Arizona State Legislature (2011)
• Sheila Harsdorf recall, Wisconsin State Senate (2011)

There were 6 state legislative recalls attempted in 2009.

• Abel Maldonado recall, California, 2009
• Anthony Adams recall, California, 2009
• Jeff Miller recall, California, 2009
• Jim Silva recall, California, 2009
• Rashida Tlaib recall, Michigan, 2009
• Roy Ashburn recall, California, 2009

There were 3 state legislative recalls attempted in 2008.

• Andy Dillon recall, Michigan (2008)
• Jeff Denham recall, California (2008)
• Robert Dean recall (2008)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 2003.

• Gary George recall, Wisconsin (2003)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1996.

• George Petak recall, Wisconsin (1996)

There were 3 state legislative recalls attempted in 1995.

• Doris Allen recall, California (1995)
• Mike Machado recall, California (1995)
• Paul Horcher recall, California (1995)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1994.

• David Roberti recall, California (1994)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1990.

• Jim Holperin recall, Wisconsin (1990)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1988.

• Bill Olsen recall, Oregon (1988)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1985.

• Pat Gillis recall, Oregon (1985)

There were 2 state legislative recalls attempted in 1983.

• David Serotkin recall, Michigan (1983)
• Phil Mastin recall, Michigan (1983)

There were 2 state legislative recalls attempted in 1971.

• Aden Hyde recall, Idaho (1971)
• Fisher Ellsworth recall, Idaho (1971)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1935.

• Harry Merriam recall, Oregon (1935)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1932.

• Otto Mueller recall, Wisconsin (1932)

There was 1 state legislative recalls attempted in 1914.

• Edwin Grant recall, California (1914)

There were 2 state legislative recalls attempted in 1913.

• James Owens recall, California (1913)
• Marshall Black recall, California (1913)

Recall results

Legend:
a = Recall approved at the ballot
d = Recall defeated at the ballot
= Recall did not make ballot
= Recall still in progress

State legislative recall results
Name	Year	State	Chamber	Result
Angela Giron	2013	Colorado	Senate
Chad Campbell	2013	Arizona	House
Evie Hudak	2013	Colorado	Senate
John Kavanagh	2013	Arizona	House
John Morse	2013	Colorado	Senate
Michael McLachlan	2013	Colorado	House
Bob Jauch	2012	Wisconsin	Senate
Bruce Caswell	2012	Michigan	Senate
Charles Kleckley	2012	Louisiana	House
George Cromer	2012	Louisiana	House
Kevin Pearson	2012	Louisiana	House
Pam Galloway	2012	Wisconsin	Senate	a
Patrick Colbeck	2012	Michigan	Senate
Phil Pavlov	2012	Michigan	Senate
Randy Richardville	2012	Michigan	Senate
Ray Garofalo	2012	Louisiana	House
Scott Fitzgerald	2012	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Terry Moulton	2012	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Van Wanggaard	2012	Wisconsin	Senate	a
Al Pscholka	2011	Michigan	House
Alberta Darling	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Brandon Dillon	2011	Michigan	House
Dan Kapanke	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	a
Dave Hansen	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
James Bolger	2011	Michigan	House
Jim Holperin	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Jim Townsend	2011	Michigan	House
John Moolenaar	2011	Michigan	Senate
John Pappageorge	2011	Michigan	Senate
Judy Emmons	2011	Michigan	Senate
Kurt Damrow	2011	Michigan	House
Kyle Johansen	2011	Alaska	House
Lisa Brown	2011	Michigan	House
Luther Olsen	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Michael Nofs	2011	Michigan	Senate
Mike Green	2011	Michigan	Senate
Mike Shirkey	2011	Michigan	House
Nancy Jenkins	2011	Michigan	House
Paul Scott	2011	Michigan	House	a
Randy Hopper	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	a
Randy Richardville	2011	Michigan	Senate
Robert Cowles	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Robert Wirch	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Russell Pearce	2011	Arizona	Senate	a
Sheila Harsdorf	2011	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Abel Maldonado	2009	California	Senate
Anthony Adams	2009	California	House
Jeff Miller	2009	California	House
Jim Silva	2009	California	House
Rashida Tlaib	2009	Michigan	House
Roy Ashburn	2009	California	Senate
Andy Dillon	2008	Michigan	House	d
Jeff Denham	2008	California	Senate	d
Robert Dean	2008	Michigan	House
Gary George	2003	Wisconsin	Senate	a
George Petak	1996	Wisconsin	Senate	a
Mike Machado	1995	California	House	d
Paul Horcher	1995	California	House	a
Doris Allen	1995	California	House	a
David Roberti	1994	California	Senate	d
Jim Holperin	1990	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Bill Olsen	1988	Oregon	Senate	a
Pat Gillis	1985	Oregon	House	a
David Serotkin	1983	Michigan	Senate	a
Phil Mastin	1983	Michigan	Senate	a
Fisher Ellsworth	1971	Idaho	Senate	a
Aden Hyde	1971	Idaho	House	a
Harry Merriam	1935	Oregon	House	a
Otto Mueller	1932	Wisconsin	Senate	d
Edwin Grant	1914	California	Senate	a
James Owens	1913	California	Senate	d
Marshall Black	1913	California	Senate	a

See also

• Recall campaigns, organized by political office of targeted incumbent