Voters put four state senators up for recall, all Republicans, because of the budget repair bill proposed by Governor Scott Walker and circumstances surrounding it.

Democrats targeted Republicans for voting to significantly limit public employee collective bargaining.

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%: On March 19, 2012, paperwork was filed with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to create a committe to explore recalling Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center).

The effort was launched due to Jauch opposing a bill from the previous week that would have helped Gogebic Taconite set up an iron mine in northwestern Wisconsin.

He defeated Democrat Lori Compas and Libertarian Terry Virgil in the recall election and was retained in office.

The initial results for the race were too close to call, with Lehman appearing to lead Wanggaard by less than 800 votes.

Due to the close results, several Republicans, including future Speaker of the Assembly Robin Vos, made false claims of voter fraud to explain Lehman's victory over Wanggaard.

Incumbent Republican Pam Galloway resigned on March 12 due to personal reasons, leaving the district open.