The Hill News

A Wisconsin House Democrat on Tuesday asked for a federal investigation of her state's hotly-contested Supreme Court race, expressing concern that the vote count has been wrongly politicized. 

Rep. Tammy Baldwin penned a letter Attorney General Eric Holder questioning late returns that showed conservative-backed Justice David Prosser picking up a large amount of votes over his liberal-backed challenger, Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppeburg. Initial results showed Kloppenburg with a 204-vote lead, but a county clerk this week found 14,315 additional votes that had allegedly been lost, which gave Prosser about a 7,500-vote lead. 

{mosads}But that revelation drew immediate skepticism from Democrats, who have suggested that there could be foul play involved. 

"Following this week's election…numerous constituents have contacted me expressing serious doubts that this election was a free and fair one. They fear, as I do, that political interests are manipulating the results," wrote the lawmaker. "To ensure that the April 5th election for Wisconsin Supreme Court is free, fair and transparent…I ask for your immediate assistance in investigating these inconsistencies in Wisconsin."

Baldwin's letter is the latest twist in the election, which has gained national attention since many deem it the first referendum on GOP Gov. Scott Walker's controversial union law. 

The congresswoman questioned Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus, a Republican who previously worked in the state legislature, for reportedly using a personal computer to store election data. 

A Democratic canvasser has also raised questions about the result. 

Before the dustup over the final count, liberals and conservatives nationwide h! ad helped mobilize Wisconsin voters to get to the polls to ens! ure vict ory.

Walker's law, which could be challenged in the conservative-leaning Supreme Court, curbs collective bargaining right for unionized public employees.