The Wisconsin Nailbiter

Guy Benson | April 06, 2011 1:13 AM

Never in a million years would I have pictured myself sweating the late-night vote tally in a Wisconsin State judicial election, but politics is an odd beast, my friends. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, incumbent conservative supreme court judge David Prosser holds a microscopic lead over liberal challenger JoAnn Kloppenburg. Unions and Left-wing outside groups poured enormous resources into this race -- including a

slanderous attack campaign against the judge. Conservatives have rallied to Prosser's cause, understanding that the court's slim 4-3 conservative edge may be necessary to preserve the governor's controversial new budget law.

Some precincts are now reportedly going to hand counts, and thousands of absentee ballots have yet to be tabulated. A statewide recount seems likely. Anyone else wondering when a bag or two of pro-Kloppenburg ballots will be conveniently "discovered" in Milwaukee or Madison?

This thing may drag on for quite a while. Put on another pot of coffee. On second thought, just go to bed; this thing isn't likely to be decided tonight anyway. But if you're a political junkie who can't get enough of this stuff, you can follow the returns HERE.