Wisconsin election official quits, citing Republican criticism over 2020
By Andy Sullivan
(Reuters) – An election official in Wisconsin has resigned, saying he misplaced the backing of fellow Republicans due to his refusal to help former President Donald Trump’s false claims of fraud within the 2020 presidential election.
The announcement by Wisconsin Elections Fee member Dean Knudson, a Republican, creates extra uncertainty because the embattled panel plans to elect a md forward of aggressive congressional and gubernatorial elections in November.
“It is grow to be clear to me that I can’t be efficient in my position of representing Republicans on the fee,” Knudson mentioned at a Wednesday assembly of the bipartisan fee, which oversees elections within the Midwestern industrial state.
Trump misplaced Wisconsin by practically 21,000 votes in 2020, however many Republican officers and candidates within the state have refused to acknowledge Trump’s defeat regardless of a number of recounts and a state audit affirming the end result. A number of Republican candidates have referred to as for abolishing the fee.
Knudson’s substitute might be chosen by Wisconsin Meeting Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican who ordered an investigation of the 2020 election regardless of scant proof of fraud. Nevertheless, Vos additionally has acknowledged Democrat Joe Biden’s victory within the state.
Vos didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Trump has pressed fellow Republicans to proceed difficult his 2020 election defeat, regardless that lawsuits, recounts and audits haven’t uncovered any proof of fraud.
He has not at all times been profitable: Republican main voters in Georgia on Tuesday rejected a number of high-profile candidates who put these claims entrance and middle.
(This story corrects fourth paragraph to indicate Trump misplaced Wisconsin)
(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Modifying by Leslie Adler)
