Assembly Republicans will vote Tuesday on whether to remove Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha, from his position amidst allegations of sexual harassment.
It is alleged that Kramer sexually harassed two women in Washington D.C. during a fundraising event, according to the Journal Sentinel.
According to a statement released by Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, Kramer has checked into a treatment facility.
An anonymous source told the Journal Sentinel Friday that the alleged incidents, one involving a 33-year-old lobbyist shortly after the fundraising event and another involving a woman on the flight back to Wisconsin, involved lewd remarks and groping by Kramer.
Vos and Kramer met with other Assembly Republicans Saturday to discuss the situation and possible outcomes for Kramer in regards to the allegations, according to the Journal Sentinel.
“We believe the serious nature of the alleged incidents require us to ask the Assembly Republican Caucus to remove Rep. Kramer from his position as the Assembly Majority Leader. It is clear he has lost our trust and confidence,” Vos said. “On Tuesday, Assembly Republicans will take a vote to remove him from his leadership position and we will then determine how best to fill the position of Majority Leader.”
Prior to the vote for Majority Leader between Kramer and Rep. Dean Knudson, Rep. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, raised concerns about Kramer’s inappropriate behavior at a meeting at the American Legislative Exchange Council in Chicago, according to the Journal Sentinel.
Milwaukee radio host Charlie Sykes said no one was surprised about the allegations against Kramer on his conservative site Right Wisconsin.
Former Democratic state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys tweeted that she was not surprised about the allegations either.
From my time in the capitol, sadly, this doesn't shock at all. http://t.co/ybJq1IeXY0 #misogyny #p2 #wiunion #fem2
— Kelda Roys (AidAccess.org) (@keldahelenroys) March 1, 2014
In the statement, Vos said the allegations against Kramer were very serious.
“We are glad he recognizes the need to seek treatment. We hope in so doing, he will come to terms with his problems so that no woman will ever again be subject to this alleged inappropriate behavior,” Vos said.
