Emails show Justice Pat Roggensack cast deciding vote for herself to replace Chief Justice Abrahamson

MADISON (AP) — Newly released emails show Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack cast the deciding vote for herself to replace longtime Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.

Shirley Abrahamson

The emails exchanged between the justices were released Thursday to The Associated Press by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley in response to an open records request.

They show that Justice Michael Gableman made the motion to make Roggensack chief justice during a closed meeting Tuesday attended by all seven justices. Justices began voting Wednesday morning, shortly after the elections board certified passage of a constitutional amendment allowing justices to choose who serves as chief.

The emails show Abrahamson objected to the motion as not timely.

Abrahamson has filed a federal lawsuit arguing she can't be removed as chief justice until her term ends in four years.