Dems Call For GOP To Ask For Kramer’s Resignation

Minority In Assembly, However, Hasn't Started Expulsion Proceedings

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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and state Rep. Pat Strachota
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and state Rep. Pat Strachota, just after she was designated to serve out the remainder of state Rep. Bill Kramer's term as Majority Leader. Photo: Shawn Johnson / WPR News

Wisconsin’s Democratic Party is calling on GOP lawmakers to take a stronger stand against state Rep. Bill Kramer, even though Democrats are not yet prepared to take that stand themselves.

The allegations that Kramer sexually harassed two women were first reported Friday night. By Tuesday morning, Assembly Republicans had voted unanimously to oust him as majority leader.

Kramer was not at the vote, having checked into a treatment center. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said afterward that he hoped Kramer would not seek reelection.

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State Democratic Party Chair Mike Tate says Vos should have gone farther by calling on Kramer to resign and pledging to field an opponent against Kramer if he runs again.

“How is that something you have to debate in your head?” Tate asked. “Why isn’t it, ‘No, if Bill Kramer runs again, we’re going to recruit a decent human being to run against him in a primary’?”

Vos’ office declined any comment on Tate’s remarks, saying the Speaker had already addressed questions on Kramer.

Democrats could theoretically force the issue themselves in the Assembly by calling for Kramer’s expulsion, but Tate stopped short of making that call and Assistant Minority Leader Sandy Pasch said Assembly Democrats had not discussed it.