Rep. Jeff Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, who was recently arrested for suspicion of his fifth operating while under the influence-related offense, announced Friday he will not seek re-election to the Assembly next year.
Wood said in a statement he made his decision not to run because he needs time to recover from his problems with drug and alcohol abuse.
“I am deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I have caused for my family and regret any disgrace I may have brought on the Wisconsin State Legislature,” Wood said in a statement.
Last Wednesday, the police arrested Wood for the suspicion of OWI after receiving a call reporting someone driving strangely in Tomah, Wis.
In his statement, Wood said he had been in an inpatient treatment facility for the past three weeks. When his roommate left the program Wednesday, Wood said he requested a day pass to try to locate him and convince him to return.
“During this time, I brought my prescription medication with me and took more than was prescribed,” Wood said in the statement.
Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, said Wood’s statement is a “sad reflection” of Wood’s personal problems. However, he said it is no surprise Wood does not plan on seeking re-election next year; the statement only shows Wood has no plans to resign from his position.
“This statement is his way of saying he isn’t going to resign because he doesn’t want to give up the paycheck,” Mikalsen said.
Mikalsen added the statement released Friday from Wood’s office was bizarre and unfortunate, and he said Wood will not be able to serve his constituents in an honorable or effective manner as a result of his problems with drugs and alcohol. He also cited the need for swift action from the Assembly to remedy the situation if Wood does not remove himself from office.
“If he does not resign immediately, the [Special Committee on Ethics and Standards] needs to move quickly to expel him before Nov. 5 (when the Assembly goes out of session),” Mikalsen said.
After Wood released his statement, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, and Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, sent a joint letter to Wood informing him of their plans to form a committee that will move to expel him from the Assembly.
The expulsion measure, once recommended by the committee, requires two-thirds of the Assembly to vote in favor of it.
“As you know, a resolution for your expulsion as a State Representative from the State Assembly remains before our house,” Sheridan and Fitzgerald said in the letter. “We wish to inform you that the Assembly will be taking on this resolution and pursuant to Assembly Rule 21 the Special Committee on Ethics and Standards will be created.”
In his statement, Wood said he believes it is in his family’s best interest for him to focus on his recovery.
“While I face many difficult decisions in the weeks and months ahead, today I know my primary focus must be on my own treatment for my struggles with drug and alcohol abuse,” Wood said.
