Wisconsin groups will push to recall Gov. Walker

The Wisconsin Democratic Party and a coalition of labor groups will push to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) after all, a move that is likely to have major ramifications on other elections in the Badger State.

Walker gained nationwide attention — and infuriated Democrats and unions — when he successfully pushed last winter to strip government employees of their ability to unionize. Labor groups and the Wisconsin Democratic Party managed to recall two Republican state senators this summer, falling short of the three they needed to retake control of the state Senate but winning in two Republican-leaning districts.

The nine state Senate recall elections drew an astonishing $44 million in spending from labor groups and conservative outside groups. It is likely that this election will draw an even larger investment — and could hurt fundraising numbers for other competitive Wisconsin elections, including the one to replace retiring Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) and the one to three possibly competitive House seats.

It will also pour gasoline on the still-smoldering ashes of the public-unions issue in Wisconsin, making it a key focal point of all elections in the state.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Mike Tate announced on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" that his group will begin the recall process soon.

"We do need to recall him from office, and we will officially file to recall him from office on Nov. 15," one year after Walker's election, he said. "Wisconsin simply can't wait, can't afford any more days of Scott Walker as our governor."

Tate said the group will exceed the 540,000 signatures necessary to petition for a recall election, and that it will take place sometime after the GOP presidential primary in April.

Walker's chief of staff and 2010 campaign manager has left the governor's office to run the campaign, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

Watch Tate's announcement on the recall election here: