Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Vos recall, Trump backers file petition
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. - Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is the most powerful Republican in state government, but some fellow members of the party want him gone.
Backers of former President Donald Trump filed a petition Wednesday seeking to recall Vos from office, citing the speaker's opposition to Trump and his not moving forward with impeaching the state's top elections official.
"Robin Vos is a grand illusionist. He’s almost like a magician. He'll do just enough to make you think he's fighting for your conservative values and fighting for all that's important by doing just enough," said Matthew Snorek, the recall petitioner and director. "Voters sometimes fall for that."
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Snorek filed the official recall paperwork with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. It starts the campaign to recall Vos.
"I’m not a big fan of recalls, I’m going to be honest. It’s a last resort," Snorek said.
Group leads effort to recall Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos
The recall organizers slammed Vos on elections and because he said he would try as hard as he could to make sure Trump is not the 2024 Republican nominee for president. The petition said as follows (edited for spelling):
"Vos is blocking fair elections in Wisconsin. Vos mislead the Wisconsin Assembly in the impeachment process of Meagan Wolfe. Vos said he will 'try as hard as I can to make sure Donald Trump is not the nominee in 2024. Vos supported the unlawful drop boxes. Wisconsin must move "Forward" without Robin Vos in power."
The recall effort already has a campaign office in Union Grove. Organizers will have 60 days to get a little more than 6,800 signatures – all from voters who live in Vos' Racine County district.
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Vos responded in a statement Wednesday:
"The effort today is no surprise since the people involved cannot seem to get over any election in which their preferred candidate doesn't win. This recall is a waste of time, resources and effort. I'm proud of my record and the accomplishments that we've achieved this year. More tax reductions for Wisconsin families, increased local government funding, restrictions on DEI, historic investments in making housing more affordable and others too numerous to mention."
Vos' Republican opponents supported Adam Steen, who challenged Vos as a write-in candidate during the 2022 primary. Vos won that primary by 260 votes. Now, they ready for a third attempt to toss Vos from office.
Donald Trump
"This is going to be a monumental effort. It has to happen, it has to happen. Wisconsin and the country depend on it," Snorek said.
If they get enough signatures, the recall election would likely happen in June – after the Legislature usually wraps up their election-year work, and months before all Assembly seats will be back on the ballot in November.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission said it is unsure if a legislator can be recalled right now because the state Supreme Court ruled the current legislative district maps are unconstitutional – and new maps have not yet been approved.
"This recall effort is underway, according to the rules of the laws, as they stand now," said Robert Bowes, recall director. "It would almost be meddling for them to change the rules in the middle of normal procedures."
State law allows Vos to begin fundraising unlimited amounts of money now that he is the target of a recall effort. He was first elected in 2004 and is the longest-serving Assembly speaker in state history, holding the post since 2013.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.