GOP attorney general concedes in Wis.

摘要

Republican Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel conceded defeat today to Democrat Josh Kaul, saying the margin between them is too great to overcome through a recount. Schimel's decision makes Kaul the first Democratic attorney general in Wisconsin since his mother, Peg Lautenschlager, left office in 2007. The Associated Press did not call the attorney general's race on Election Day because it was too close. Schimel said the next day that it appeared Kaul had beat him but refused to concede, leaving open the possibility that he would seek a recount. State elections officials announced Friday that canvassed totals show Kaul got 17,190 more votes. That's within the 1 percentage point margin that would allow for a recount, but Schimel would have had to pay for it. Schimel issued a statement saying he believes he could have raised the money to fund the recount but the margin is too large. "We felt the odds of finding enough votes were too narrow to justify putting county clerks, their staff and the public through such an ordeal at this time," Schimel said. "I accept the verdict of the electorate." Kaul issued a statement thanking Schimel for his service.