Sen. Pam Galloway resigns - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- State Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) is resigning to deal with health issues in her family.

The surprise announcement comes just months before the Galloway was supposed to face a recall election.

Reid Magney, spokesperson for the Government Accountability Board says the recall election for the 29th Senate District seat will go on without Galloway.

That means Republicans need to find a replacement candidate.

Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) was slated to run against Galloway in the recall election.

If she can win the seat, the Democrats will have a majority in the Senate.

"I'm very curious about who my Republican opponent will be," Rep. Seidel told 27 News.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald learned Galloway would be leaving two weeks ago, but waited until Friday to contact potential candidates.

On his short list are Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford) and Rep. Jerry Petrowski (D-Marathon).

"Actually, they ran the battery of my phone dead today already," said Rep. Petrowski.   "So, there's a lot of people who are calling me and asking me about a whole variety of things."

Both Petrowski and Williams said they would consult with their families this weekend about whether or not they should run.

They would face a short timetable and if only one joins the race, the election would likely be on May 8th.

Their opponent already has a big head start.

"I hit the ground running about five weeks ago and I have been visiting all of the communities throughout the district, talking to lots and lots of people," said Rep. Seidel.  "So, I'm just eager to continue that plan."

But, Republicans are confident there's enough time to win with the right candidate and message.

"Its a Republican district," claimed Sen. Fitzgerald.  "I mean, I've known that for many years.  Even though it was held down by the former Majority leader Russ Decker, he was holding down a Republican seat."

Democrat Russ Decker held the seat for 20 years, before Pam Galloway defeated him in 2010.

Galloway issued a statement to announce her resignation Friday, but said she will not do any media interviews until Sunday.

Galloway was one of four Republican state senators facing a recall election.

The others are Sen. Fitzgerald, Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls).

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MADISON (WKOW) -- State Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) will resign from office Friday.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) says Galloway's resignation was confirmed Friday morning.

Sen. Galloway's departure leaves a 16-16 split between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate.

Sen. Galloway's departure is also significant because she was one of four Republican Senators facing recall.

Reid Magney, spokesperson for the Government Accountability Board, said the recall election will proceed, but Galloway's name will not be on the ballot in District 29.

Rep. Donna Seidel (D-Wausau) announced she was running against Galloway in February.

Republicans will be able to run another candidate against Rep. Seidel in Galloway's place.

In a statement, Galloway cites unspecified, sudden family health issues as the reason for her resignation.

Galloway's husband, Dr. Christopher Magiera of Wausau, was a member of the state medical examining board until this week. Board member Carolyn Bronston tells 27 News Magiera resigned, citing an unspecified family health issue.

Stay with 27 News for more on this developing story.