August 29, 2023 Milwaukee, Wisconsin — A bipartisan group of business leaders from across the state released a letter today addressed to Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission Meagan Wolfe, expressing support and appreciation for her leadership in overseeing and executing free, fair, and accessible elections in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, organized by a group of Wisconsin-based industry leaders in 2021, released the letter ahead of a Senate reappointment hearing on Tuesday, August 29th regarding Administrator Wolfe.
Signatories to the letter include: Elizabeth F. Brenner (Former President & Publisher of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel); Tom Florsheim Jr. (Chairman & CEO of Weyco Group); John Florsheim (President of WeycoGroup); Anoop Prakash (Chair of Leadership Now Project Wisconsin Chapter); David Lubar (President & CEO of Lubar & Co.); Cory Nettles (Founder & Managing Director of Generation Capital Growth); Sachin Shivaram (CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry).
This letter comes on the heels of myriad attacks – all unfounded – on Administrator Wolfe and the Wisconsin Elections Commission surrounding the 2020 election, culminating in calls to disband the Wisconsin Elections Commission and replace it with partisan control of elections. Election experts warn that continued political attacks on election administrators will deepen distrust in Wisconsin’s 2020 elections results and could lead to even more unfounded challenges to results in future elections. Tuesday’s senate hearing on whether to reappoint Wolfe is seen by many as improper, including state Attorney General Josh Kaul, who stated lawmakers have no authority to determine whether she should be dismissed from the Commission.
The letter states: “We want to express our deep appreciation for your exemplary leadership overseeing and executing free, fair, and accessible elections in such challenging times. We are grateful for your willingness to continue in your position and bring crucial stability and transparency to our state’s elections during the upcoming 2024 election cycle. Given how close we are to another crucial election, we believe that now is not the time for a leadership transition at the Wisconsin Elections Commission.”
“Administrator Wolfe is a highly-skilled election administrator, admired for her expertise, dedication, and integrity,” says Tom Florsheim. “As we look ahead to a critical 2024 election cycle, the WEC must uphold stability and transparency in our state’s elections and defend our democracy from any further degradation.”
“Election administrators around Wisconsin continue to face threats and harassment for simply doing their jobs. Our letter is intended to encourage Ms. Wolfe and election officials statewide to press on and let them know they have the support of the business community,” says Anoop Prakash.
