Contact: Logan Vidal logan.vidal@legis.wisconsin.gov (608) 266-8570
Madison – Yesterday Senate Republicans voted to oust sitting Ethics and Elections Commission administrators Brian Bell and Michael Haas despite no evidence of any wrongdoing on their behalf. Republican leaders also discussed reclassifying positions at the respective commissions in order to purge former GAB employees. In response, Rep. Anderson released the following statement:
“Yesterday’s vote to remove the sitting heads of our Ethics and Elections Commissions undermines the integrity of our electoral process as well as the vital role that these watchdogs play in regulating lobbying and campaign activity. Wisconsin has a long-standing tradition as a leader in nonpartisan election administration. Senate Republicans have marred that great tradition.”
“What Republicans did doesn’t pass the smell test. Much like how President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey for investigating wrongdoing by the Trump administration, I can only wonder what Republicans are trying to hide by firing our Ethics watchdogs.”
Rep. Anderson added. “The move to purge GAB employees is as insidious as ACT 10 itself. It’s another attack on state workers who’ve done nothing other than fulfill their duties as stewards of our ethics and elections laws. We cannot have an independent faithful civil service, if state employees fear public sanction for doing their jobs.”
