MADISON, Wis. — The newest member of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) faced opposition Tuesday from a committee of state lawmakers, who were considering his appointment to the post by Gov. Tony Evers earlier this year.

Republicans on the Senate Committee on Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection voted against recommending confirmation of former Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph Czarnezki Tuesday, pointing to his decision to join fellow Democrats in abstaining from voting to renominate Meagan Wolfe as the agency’s administrator.

What You Need To Know

  • Former Milwaukee County Clerk Joseph Czarnezki was appointed to the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) after retired Sheboygan County Clerk Julie Glancey resigned earlier this year

  • During a public hearing Tuesday, Republicans asked Czarnezki about why he joined fellow Democrats in abstaining from voting to renominate Meagan Wolfe as the agency’s administrator

  • GOP members voted against confirming Czarnezki in a 3-2 party-line decision

  • If Czarnezki’s confirmation is rejected by the full Senate, as expected, Gov. Evers will have to nominate another Democrat for the position

Czarnezki took the hot seat Tuesday as Republicans questioned him about his decisions since being appointed to WEC after retired Sheboygan County Clerk Julie Glancey stepped down earlier this year.

“An action was taken. You and the other two Democrat commissioners failed in your statutory duty to take that vote,” State Sen. Daniel Knodl, R-Germantown, said to Czarnezki.

“Well, as I said, I think, eventually, the commission will make a decision on that,” Czarnezki responded. “I don’t know when that will be.”

Democrats, however, called for careful consideration from their colleagues across the aisle.

“It’s highly unlikely that you’re going to have somebody that you, as Republican senators, agree with on everything in this position,” State Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, explained. “It’s explicitly a Democratic position on the commission, so I hope we don’t let ideology or partisan positions cloud our judgement here.”

The 3-2 party-line vote is more of a recommendation on the part of the committee than anything. Ultimately, the full Senate will decide whether to reject Czarnezki’s confirmation.

If lawmakers do, then it will be up to Gov. Evers to reappoint someone else, and the whole process would start over.

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