Governor Evers Vetoes Republican Bill Regarding Bill Removing Power to Appoint Executive Branch Vacancies

Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 -- 11:00 AM

(Sarah Lehr, Wisconsin Public Radio) Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed a Republican bill that would have taken away the governor’s sole power to appoint people to fill top executive branch vacancies.

According to Sarah Lehr with Wisconsin Public Radio, the veto stems from a dispute between Evers and Republicans that began when Doug La Follette abruptly resigned as Wisconsin secretary of state, and Evers appointed new Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski to replace him.

The bill approved by Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature would apply to secretary of state vacancies and those in other constitutional offices as well, including Wisconsin’s attorney general, treasurer and the superintendent of public instruction.

Typically, those positions are elected statewide, but the governor can choose a replacement when vacancies arise because of circumstances like a resignation or a death.

The governor may choose to call a statewide special election to fill the vacancy, but is not required to do so. The legislation approved along party lines, however, would have put a check on that gubernatorial power.

Depending on timing, the bill would have required a replacement to be chosen by voters in a special election or by the governor with state Senate approval. GOP backers cited the case of La Follette, who spent more than four decades in the role.

La Follete won reelection in November 2022, but he retired last March while only a few months into his latest four-year term. Evers chose not to call a special election, and appointed Godlweski to replace La Follette.

Godlewski previously served as state treasurer and ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S Senate in 2022.

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