(Image source: Wisconsin State Journal)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Leaders of the effort to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took a huge step Tuesday. Organizers submitted more than 1 million signatures to recall Walker, his lieutenant governor and four state senators -- that’s 460,000 more than the required number.

One of those organizers spoke to MSNBC.

“We have exceeded the number of signatures that were needed. I can tell you that we don’t have an exact count to provide you, but we know that it weighs a ton. Literally, a ton.”

First -- some background.

Walker entered office only a year ago -- but anti-union legislation he introduced in February sparked massive protests that filled the state capitol building for weeks.

14 Wisconsin Senate Democrats left the state a few days later to protest Walker’s proposal. And in March, with many of their opponents gone, Senate Republicans pulled the trigger -- voting to strip workers of their right to collective bargaining.

(CHANTING) “It certainly wasn’t pretty. Union supporters tried to shout down what Republicans were finally able to do last night. Is there a second? (‘Take a moment! Take a moment!’)”

By November, the recall effort was underway, with state Democrats starting their campaign for signatures.

“We’re going to begin activities in all 72 counties. This is a state-wide effort.”

But as leaders of the recall effort celebrate the massive signature haul, The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel points out Democrats have no clear challenger for Governor Walker.

“State Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) has said he will run against Walker if a recall election is held, and other Democrats are expected to get in the race. Potential candidates include Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who lost to Walker in 2010; former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk; and (former U.S. Rep. Dave) Obey.”

Taking to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program Tuesday, Walker had this to say about the recall effort:

“The bottom line is the big government unions in Washington more than anything want their money… People who legitimately worked hard every day for both their state and their local government in Wisconsin, I gave them the right to choose, which means they don’t have to be part of a union anymore, and their union dues can’t be forcibly taken out of their paycheck.”

POLITICO writes the recall election won’t take place until at least June, but would likely have some impact on a national scale.

“Given the timing of the special election, and the fact that Wisconsin is a critical Midwestern electoral battleground, the contest is sure to seep into the presidential election between President Barack Obama and the Republican presidential nominee.”

If the effort to replace Walker is successful, he’d become only the third recalled governor in U.S. history.