Democratic leadership in the state Assembly sent a letter Monday to state Rep. Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha, asking for his resignation.
The letter comes amid three separate allegations of sexual harassment and two federal charges. Last week, Assembly Republican leaders requested Kramer resign and mentioned they would explore the recall process if Kramer did not comply. The letter sent by Democratic leadership called Kramer’s response to the criminal charges “extremely inappropriate.”
“You have lost the respect and trust of your colleagues and we believe it is time to give up your public position and return to private life,” Democratic leaders said in the letter.
Democrats also requested Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Burlington, to consider forming an ethics committee to level sanctions against Kramer. Democratic Assembly members, who are unhappy with Republicans’ reaction to Kramer’s criminal charges, said the committee could “encourage” Kramer to resign.
“Removing [Kramer] from his leadership post does not go far enough, especially since concerns over [Kramer’s] behavior were raised before the vote,” Democrats said in the letter.
Also in the letter, Democrats said they oppose a district recall due to the timeliness of the Assembly elections scheduled for November.
An ethics committee would contain three members of each party, and Kramer would be afforded the right to an attorney and the right to cross-examine any witnesses. The committee may also vote to close parts of the hearing from the public.
Following the hearing, the committee would draft a resolution with a recommendation for the Assembly. A resolution can contain recommendations to reprimand, censure and expel the accused.
