Poll: Lazich is Safe, But Republicans Are Vulnerable

Democrats may try to recall Sen. Mary Lazich, but they'll have an uphill battle to unseat the Republican senator if successful, according to a poll released Monday night by Daily Kos and Public Policy Polling (PPP). (See full results here.)

Lazich, R-New Berlin, whose district includes Greendale and Muskego, leads a generic Democratic opponent in the poll 56-34 percent, according to Daily Kos and PPP. The margin of the error was 2 percent.

Lazich has served in the State Senate since 1998. She ran uncontested for re-election in 2008. Roughly two out of three voters supported Gov. Scott Walker in last November's election. 

Daily Kos is a liberal website that supports the recall of Wisconsin's Republican senators as a way for Democrats to retake control of the Senate.

Republicans control all three branches of the government and recently passed a controversial bill that stripped public employees, including teachers, of their collective-bargaining rights. The action resulted in massive protests at the state Capitol and resulted in 14 recall efforts against Republicans and Democrats around the state. 

The Daily Kos poll targeted the eight Republican senators who are eligible for recall this spring. According to so-called "topline" results of the poll, three incumbent Republicans were trailing generic Democratic opponents. They included: 

• Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, trails a generic Democrat 55-41.
• Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, trails 49-44.
• Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, trails 49-47.

The polls were conducted March 11-13. Democrats need to win three seats to regain a majority in the Senate. 

Republicans lead in five polls, including: 

• Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, leads 45-43.
• Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, leads 48-44.
• Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, leads 52-44.
• Lazich leads 56-34.
• Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, leads 60-32

Gov. Scott Walker and 11 of the 19 Republicans in the State Senate are not eligible for a recall attempt. Candidates are allowed a year in office before citizens can attempt to remove them. 

Republicans are attempting to recall six of Wisconsin's 14 Democratic senators. Democratic senators fled the state in February to delay action on Walker's budget repair bill.

Daily Kos did not poll in the Democratic districts.