Sen. Randy Hopper's Problems Mounting in New Politicized Terrain, Resignation Possible

Update: Reader advises that in Wisconsin vacancies in the Legislature must be filled by a special election called by the Governor, per state statute.

Sen. Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) is one of eight Republican recall targets in the Wisconsin state senate.

A reliable Scott Walker ally, it appears this political alliance is one among a host of other liabilities in a changed political environment where issues once ignored are gaining prominence.

Hopper's political liabilities are now under increasing scrutiny, going viral on social networking sites.

And his political crises have become the source of speculation that Hopper—elected in 2008 with under a 200-vote margin—may now resign in what the GOP would likely hope is a new state senator for District 18 [includes Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, and the northern part of Waupun; a new candidate would have to run in a mandated special election]). A new candidate is seen by informed political operatives as having a slightly better chance of holding the seat for the Republican Party in what early indications point to as a marked flip of the state Senate into democratic control in the anticipated Summer recall elections in August.

Among Randy Hopper's problems:

• Tax-Shy Randy Hopper's $250 Million Yearly Capital Gains Giveaway (One Wisconsin Now)
• State Senator Hopper arranged for the controversial testimony of businessman and Catholic Right ally, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), opposing the Child Victims Act (via Daily Kos); i.e. Hopper appears more interested in protecting molesters than in protecting children
• A pattern of lies invoking himself as a victim of mobs and dangerous security threats (Blogging Blue)
• And the revelation of a multi-year affair with an ex-GOP state senate committee staffer and GOP operative resulting in his pending divorce with his wife who stated last week that the senator was not living at his phone book-listed address in Fond du Lac but rather with his mistress in Madison



State Sen, Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac)



The other woman, 25-year-old ex-GOP state senate committee staffer and GOP operative