Liberal-backed candidate in Wisconsin Supreme Court race concedes

The liberal-backed candidate in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race said Tuesday she was conceding the election.

Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg said she would not challenge a recount in the state Supreme Court election against the Justice David Prosser, who was backed by conservatives.

The race received national attention as many considered it a referendum on a controversial law backed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, which rolls back collective bargaining rights for state employees.

The state Supreme Court is likely to hear challenges to the law and Kloppenburg would have probably supported overturning it.

Last week a judge ruled in favor of striking down the law, meaning the lawsuit is on its way to the state's top court. Backers of the law have said they are confident the state Supreme Court will uphold it.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Kloppenburg requested the recount after losing the April 5 election by 7,316 votes.

The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board certified early last week that Prosser won the race by 7,004 votes, according to the Associated Press.