I was reading an article in the Wisconsin State Journal that had to do with the possible scenario of Walker resigning amid the John Doe investigation. If he were indicted, or it looked like he might be, some believe it would be prudent for him to simply step down, and let someone else run in his place. Naturally, a scenario as precarious as this poses a lot of questions. How would it work? What effect would this have on the Kleefisch recall? Etc. Luckily, the WSJ asked those questions!
According to the article, Mike Haas, staff attorney with the Government Accountability Board, states:
If Walker resigned within 10 days of the recall petitions being certified by the GAB, he would not be on the ballot and other Republicans would be able to vie for the nomination in a primary. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch would become governor and could appoint a new lieutenant governor. Nothing, however, would stop the recall election from going forward.
The winner of the gubernatorial election would assume the office.
However, if Walker were to resign more than 10 days after the recall petitions are certified, his name would still appear on the ballot. Assuming voters would not favor an indicted, resigned governor, Republicans would likely be forced to mount some type of write-in campaign to try to prevent the Democratic nominee from being elected.
However, because the statutes are unclear, the GAB's interpretation of the law would likely be litigated endlessly in court, with the losers crying foul, possibly until the next regularly scheduled governor's election in 2014.
The scenario is fun to play with. It would be interesting to see Walker step down in the 10 days and watch Republicans scramble to find a candidate. With Scott Fitzgerald facing his own recall, he's out. There's always Jeff, I guess! However, it is a little scary to think of Lt. Gov. Kleefisch as the actual Governor. It kind of gives me chills.
Regardless, the odds of Walker stepping down at any time are slim to none. After all, doing the right thing takes a moral center, one that this man seems to not possess. Plus, like Mike Haas said at the end of his statement, the rules are fairly ambiguous and the GAB ruling will likely be contested should it ever get that far. I guess we have to settle for simply recalling Mr. Walker!
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