Republican leaders in the Wisconsin Assembly will take action next week to remove Majority Leader Bill Kramer, in the wake of reports that he sexually harassed women at a Washington D.C. fundraiser.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Saturday on the allegations against the 49-year-old Waukesha Republican, involving a 33-year-old female lobbyist and at least one other woman.
WisPolitics.com reported later on Saturday that Kramer had checked into a “treatment facility,” according to a statement from his office, which said Kramer would have no further comment.
In response to that, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who was scheduled to meet with Kramer on Saturday, released the following:
“The allegations made against Rep. Kramer are very serious and 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.“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. 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.”
The Journal Sentinel reported that Kramer was accused of groping at least one woman and making lewd remarks to at least two women at the D.C. event.
Kramer is in his fourth term and was serving as Assembly Speaker Pro Tem when he was elected Majority Leader in September, following the departure of Representative Scott Suder from the post.