Ending what has been the largest set of statewide recall elections ever held in the United States, Democrats Tuesday night held on to two seats in the Wisconsin state Senate, but still fell short of taking back that legislative body from the GOP.
Last week, Democrats were able to flip a pair seats from Republicans, but remained one vote short of winning a majority.
Republicans had hoped to win back one of those seats, but a Tea Party organizer in the north of Wisconsin could not come close to winning what was a Republican leaning district.
Tuesday's results left the overall scoreboard at plus-two for Democrats, though it was a disappointing result for liberal groups and unions, which had spent millions in an effort to overturn reforms championed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) to collective bargaining for state workers.
Republicans said the legislative changes were needed to save money, while Democrats argued it was merely a political vendetta against labor unions in the Badger State.
The next question is will Democrats pursue their legislative crusade against Gov. Walker and try to force a recall election for his post in 2012.
An estimated $30-40 million was spent in Wisconsin by outside groups on this recall elections, a figure that would likely be blown away if a recall develops against the Governor.
So what was the message out of these recalls? It's a mixed one.
Democrats won back some seats in the Wisconsin state Senate, but they fell short of pushing Republicans out of power.
Republicans though kept the reins of power by only one vote, and a Tea Party candidate in a Republican district couldn't come close to winning.
Unions spent a ton of money but haven't been able to reverse the collective bargaining changes that led to huge protests at the state Capitol in Madison earlier this year.
GOP groups also poured in a lot of money into these races but only barely held onto power.
It sets the table for what could be a very active election year of 2012 in the state of Wisconsin - and many others.
