Harsdorf was subject to a recall effort as part of the 2011 Wisconsin protests. Recall organizers filed an estimated 23,000 signatures with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, which verified the petitions and overruled challenges by Harsdorf. The recall election was set for August 9, 2011. Teacher and educators' union official Shelly Moore ran against Harsdorf in the recall election. Harsdorf defeated Moore, 58 percent to 42 percent in the recall election.