Wisconsin Senate's Shilling headed toward primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Two prominent Democratic state senators will face primary challenges this August.

The deadline for submitting nomination signatures to the state Government Accountability Board was Wednesday. GAB records indicate that Jared Landry of La Farge has submitted 500 signatures in western Wisconsin's 32nd Senate District, 300 more than he needed to get on the ballot and set up a primary with Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling.

Meanwhile in Milwaukee's 4th Senate District, state Rep. Mandela Barnes has filed 754 signatures, 354 more than he needs to get on the ballot and force a primary with Sen. Lena Taylor, a key Democratic member of the Legislature's budget-writing committee. GAB records indicated Taylor filed her nomination papers Wednesday but didn't include a total.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling will face a primary challenger in August.

Senate candidates must submit at least 400 nominating signatures to the state Government Accountability Board by 5 p.m. Wednesday to get on the ballot. According to a check GAB records early Wednesday afternoon, Democrat Jared Landry of La Farge had submitted 500 signatures. Shilling, a La Crosse Democrat, had submitted 782 signatures, setting up a primary on Aug. 9.

Republicans Dan Kapanke of La Crosse and John Sarnowski of Onalaska have declared their candidacies for Shilling's seat as well. Kapanke had turned in 783 signatures. Sarnowski hadn't turned in any as of early Wednesday afternoon.

Shilling's district covers parts of La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon and Crawford counties.