Fond du Lac, Wis.(WHBL)- Personal dirty laundry is often kept out of Wisconsin’s political campaigns. But that’s not true in the recall effort against state Senate Republican Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac. Bloggers and Milwaukee media have mentioned Hopper’s pending divorce. W-T-M-J T-V received a letter that appeared to be from the senator’s estranged wife, saying he had an affair with a Republican staff member, and that he lives outside his district most of the time. The Journal Sentinel said it couldn’t confirm blogger comments that Hopper’s wife or his former maid signed the recall petitions against him. But the paper said Alysia Hopper planned to donate money to her husband’s opponent if a recall election is held. Hopper’s chief-of-staff, Rebecca Hogan, said her boss lives and works in his district – he separated from his wife about a year ago – and his family has received death threats. Hogan said the attempts to smear Hopper are quote, “shameful and disgusting.” He’s one of eight Republicans facing recall efforts for his vote in favor of virtually eliminating collective bargaining for most public employee unions in Wisconsin. Eight Democrats are facing recall efforts as well.

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