Janel Brandtjen

Republicans Relent on Milwaukee Election Observer Lawsuit

'No issues' says RNC attorney. City said Monday lawsuit was filed in bad faith.

Rep. Brandtjen, A 2020 Election Denier, Sues To Force State Out of Voter Data Organization

ERIC system designed to make it easier for states to maintain accurate voter rolls.

Can Wisconsin Handle Election Deniers This Time?

Election experts say state well prepared to withstand conspiracy theories.

A Summer of Intense Politics

With more to come in the next two months.

2 Leading Election Deniers Lost GOP Legislative Primaries

Rep. Janel Brandtjen and Rep. Tim Ramthun both pushed hard to overturn 2020 election.

Most Incumbents Beat Challengers in State Legislature Primaries

Wisconsin had the most contested Assembly primary races since 2012.

Rep. Janel Brandtjen Sues State Ethics Commission

Menomonee Falls Republican fighting charges against her in campaign fundraising scheme.

Nearly Half of Legislature Won’t Run in Old Districts

Redistricting shakes up Legislature for both Democrats and Republicans.

Former Milwaukee Election Official Gets 1-Year Probation For Sending Fake Ballots

Kimberly Zapata will also pay $3K in fines and complete 120 hours of community service.

Waukesha DA Won’t Pursue Charges Against Brandtjen

WI Ethics Commission alleged Rep. Janel Brandtjen involved in illegal fundraising scheme.

Will Legislators Run Or Not?

The long list of legislators in newly mapped districts who haven't filed to run includes Robin Vos.

Logsdon Wins Reelection to South Suburban District

County supervisor defeats challenge from Danelle Kenney.

County Prosecutors Won’t Pursue Charges in Case Involving Trump PAC

Citing conflicts of interest, they referred cases to other county prosecutors.

Vos Says Recall Effort ‘Plagued With Fraud and Criminality’

Assembly Speaker also claims recall can't happen because state Supreme Court struck down GOP-drawn legislative maps

Milwaukee Election Official Guilty of Election Fraud

Jury finds Kimberly Zapata guilty of a felony. Sentencing will take place on May 2.

Milwaukee Election Official Testifies in Defense of Accused Worker

Kimberly Zapata, on trial for election fraud, was a 'whistleblower,' her attorney says.

Robin Vos Calls Recall Organizers ‘Whack Jobs’ and ‘Morons’

Assembly Speaker plans to challenge the recall petitions filed against him.

Trial Underway for Former Milwaukee Official Charged With Election Fraud

Opening statements were Monday for trial of Kimberly Zapata.

‘Recall Vos’ Organizers Deliver Signatures in Bid to Remove Assembly Speaker

7,000 signatures needed, conservative activists say they have 11,000 to recall Robin Vos.

Vos Recall Organizers Face Pivotal Deadline

Conservatives hoping to oust Wisconsin's longest serving Assembly Speaker need nearly 7,000 signatures

Republicans Appeal Court Order Protecting Top State Election Official

Dane County judge ruled that GOP legislators can't remove Meagan Wolfe from office.

Ethics Investigators Recommend Felony Charges Against Trump Committee, Rep. Brandtjen

Groups are alleged to skirted campaign finance laws in primary challenge against Vos.

Republicans Fearful of New District Maps

Under one proposed map, incumbent Republicans would have to run against each other.

Effort To Impeach State Elections Chief Stifled By Assembly

Trump ally, Rep. Janet Brandtjen shouted repeatedly for recognition, ruled out of order.

After Campaign Shames Him, Vos Advances Impeachment of Elections Administrator

Speaker advances legislation to impeach Meagan Wolfe.

Bill Would Allow New Bars To Offer Indoor Cigar, Pipe Smoking

City of Milwaukee could support the bill, but raised questions over regulation.

Milwaukee Wants More Reckless Drivers Towed

United council backs state law change. But proposal could die in Legislature.

Five Republicans Move To Impeach Elections Administrator

Meagan Wolfe says legislators willfully distorting the truth.

Election Deniers Make False Charges at Senate Hearing on Top Election Official

Attorney General says Republicans' hearing to consider ousting Meagan Wolfe is illegal.

Judge Dismisses Rep. Brandtjen’s Military Ballot Lawsuit

Criminal case against former Milwaukee election official continues.

Senate Mulls Milwaukee’s Financial Peril

Struggling to create plan for shared revenue and sales tax that's acceptable to Assembly and Gov. Evers.

Knodl Beats Trump-Backed Candidate in 8th Senate District GOP Primary

Brandtjen loses. Republican Dan Knodl will face Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin in April.

Will Democratic Ad Boost Election Denier Brandtjen?

Ad in open state Senate race seems designed to help most extreme GOP candidate.

Meet The Candidates Seeking Open State Senate Seat

Three Republicans, one Democrat running for seat held by retiring Sen Alberta Darling.

Would Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Partisanship?

Alaska's experience offers fascinating lessons for those who care about democracy.

Racine Is The Center of State’s Election Conspiracy Universe

The unproven claims and legal challenges continue. How did Racine become ground zero?

Zapata Resigns City Job Before Disciplinary Decision

Former deputy election director faces felony and misdemeanor charges for voter fraud.

Top 10 State Political Stories of 2022

Evers and Johnson victories and suddenly changed battle over abortion lead the list.

Zapata Pleads Not Guilty To Felony Charge Related To Voter Fraud

Milwaukee's former number two election official represented by conservative law firm, poised to fight case.

First Democrat Enters Race To Replace Sen. Darling

Attorney Jodi Habush Sinykin declares for race that already has four Republicans.

Brandtjen, Leading Election Denier, Will Run for Open Senate Seat

Rep. Janel Brandtjen, kicked out of the Assembly GOP, wants to succeed Alberta Darling.

The War Over Democracy Isn’t Over

Both nationally and in Wisconsin there will be more attempts to undermine elections.

Former Milwaukee Election Official Pleads Not Guilty On Election Fraud Charges

Kimberly Zapata is now represented by conservative law firm connected to election decertification.

Republican Rep. Knodl Announces Run To Replace Retiring Sen. Darling

Republicans would lose super majority if Democrats take seat.

Will Elections Commission Fulfill Rep. Brandtjen’s Election Data Request?

Partisan body deadlocks on fulfilling her large request after Republicans remove election-denier from meeting.

Sen. Alberta Darling Is Retiring

Veteran Republican will resign Dec. 1. Special election will decide if GOP keeps supermajority.

Rigged Election Lie Dies Quietly

How can there be a stolen election if both parties score wins and losses in same electoral process?

Republicans Bar Rep. Janel Brandtjen From Private Meetings

Caucus loses trust in Elections Committee chair who denied 2020 election results, endorsed Vos’ challenger

Don’t Disband Elections Commission Says Its Administrator

Commission is bipartisan by design and must hold public meetings. Michels had suggested eliminating Walker-created commission.

21 Election Winners and Losers

Beyond the ballot totals, which groups, advocates and trends won or lost?

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

Why newcomers Ryan Clancy on East Side, Dave Maxey in New Berlin face no opponent.

Court Won’t Block Counting Of Military Ballots

Lawsuit by Republican lawmaker sought to sequester military absentee ballots.

The Life Cycle of Election Ballots

State's election system has many checks and balances to assure integrity of election.

Milwaukee Deputy Election Director Charged With Felony, Motive Revealed

Kimberly Zapata was fired Wednesday, now charged for improperly requesting absentee ballots.

UPDATE: Military Ballot Investigation

Illegal Ballot Requests Came From Deputy Milwaukee Election Director

Kimberly Zapata was terminated Wednesday after revealing action.

Waukesha Sheriff Investigating Absentee Ballots Sent to Rep. Brandtjen

Brandtjen, an election conspiracy promoter. claims three military ballots may be fraudulent.

Military Ballot Investigation

Elections Commission Votes to Track Fraudulent Absentee Ballot Requests

Right-wing activists have illegally requested absentee ballots on behalf of other people.

State Republicans Want Citizens Under Guardianship Off Voter Rolls

Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition opposes idea, along with state Democrats.

Elections Commission Reactivates 31,854 Voter Registrations

Republicans blast result of court settlement with League of Women Voters.

Will Republicans Give Milwaukee a Sales Tax?

Meeting to ‘reset’ relationship between city and state legislators raises doubts, hopes.

Ramthun Campaign Promotes Election Denial

State Representative Tim Ramthun spreads doubt about 2020 election with campaign for governor.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Plans Fall Voter Education Initiative

Effort to build trust in elections comes as state legislators, Michael Gableman and Donald Trump call to decertify the 2020 election.

Gableman Rallies With Extremists, Including Vos’s Primary Opponent

Wall Street Journal warns Gableman could help Republicans lose state in 2022.

Vos Keeps Gableman Investigation Going

Though contract for probe was expiring, Speaker says it will continue, after pressure from Trump.

Statement: Office of Special Counsel

Vos Says State Can’t Decertify 2020 Election Results

Republican activists still pushing speaker to overturn 2020 election.

Gableman, Vos Sign New Contract on Election Probe

Judge orders Gableman to release 700 pages of documents from probe.

The Gableman Conspiracy ‘Circus’

Offers hours of conspiracy-laden testimony and new report pushing to decertify 2020 election which Republican calls illegal, a ‘fool’s errand.'

The Rise of Timothy Ramthun

One-time nobody now a candidate for governor and top demagogue in state Republican Party.

Election Official Refutes Bogus Fraud Claims

Addressing false claims wastes valuable time, election tech director said.

Ramthun, Brandtjen Lead Rally to Overturn 2020 Election

Capitol event organized by Jefferson Davis pushes bill to recall state’s 2020 electors.

Assembly Committee Hears Unsupported Claims of Voter Fraud

A convicted fraudster, who once worked with Michael Gableman, makes wild allegations.

Speaker Vos Struggles to Maintain Control

Assailed by GOP rebels. ‘Conspiracy theorists have taken over the party.’

Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

14 bills increase funding, restrict local control; some directly target Milwaukee.

Wisconsin’s January 6 Collaborators

25 Republicans who sought to overturn a legal election.

The Return of McCarthyism

Michael Gableman is the new Joe McCarthy, with the same bullying, sneering, demagogic style.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Sues To Stop Gableman’s Subpoenas

Suit says Gableman is overstepping authority in how subpoenas are structured.

State AG Calls Election Probe a ‘Fake Investigation’

Attorney General Josh Kaul also said there were 'glaring' legal flaws in the investigation.

“Is this fair?” The Campaign Against Electoral College

Taking to the streets for the National Popular Vote.

Big Changes Needed In Political Districts

Population changes in Madison, metro Milwaukee require redrawn legislative and congressional seats.

Kaul Supports Gun Bills Proposed by Democratic Legislators

Bills includes increased background checks and new court orders blocking individuals from gun possession.

What’s The Status of State Election Probes?

Three Republican-backed investigations despite no evidence of widespread fraud or wrongdoing.

The Rise of Rep. Janel Brandtjen

A leader in election lies and demagoguery has become a state Republican power.

Will Donors Punish Legislators Pushing Election Lies?

Wisconsin Realtors says it will still back conspiracy theorist Rep. Janel Brandtjen.

Gableman Request For Election Data Questioned

County clerks concerned about breach of security, Gableman’s misinformed views.

Republican Schools Colleagues on Election Lies

Elections chair Sen. Kathy Bernier runs 2.5 hour meeting with experts and verifiable facts.

GOP Election Probes ‘Bad Faith Efforts,’ Bipartisan Group Says

Group including Republican politicians bashes ‘political stunts’ by Vos, Brandtjen.

Brandtjen Looks Foolish on Election Audit

Even Robin Vos wouldn't support her lame attempt to subpoena election data.

Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson Rejects Invalid Subpoena

Ron Johnson, Paul Ryan Say 2020 Election Not Rigged

Johnson still supports investigation into election commissions and grants.

Republicans Divided Over Election Audits

Are you with Team Vos or Team Brandtjen? Fish for unproven problems or overturn 2020 election?

Gableman Approved to Head 2020 Election Probe

5-3 Assembly committee vote for former Supreme Court Justice. Evers condemns probe.

Republicans Again Attack Facebook-Funded Grants

Conservative groups sue Racine officials. Previous court rulings upheld grants to support elections.

Walker Connected Group Calls for Abolishing Elections Commission

Call to replace state commission part of national Republican effort to delegitimize legal elections.

Vos Kisses Trump’s Ring

Humbling himself to placate right-wing zealots calling for Assembly Speaker's head.

Trump Praises Brandtjen ‘Election Audit’

Puts more pressure on Vos as Pocan calls for firing Gableman.

Head of WIGOP Election Review Attends MyPillow Conspiracy Convention To Get Some Pointer

County Clerk Christenson: “Our Elections are Fair, Transparent, Accurate, and Secure”

Vos Backtracks on Election Audit

After criticizing Brandtjen for pushing yet another audit, he caves. “It’s red meat for the base.”

State Elections Commission Refutes Rep. Brandtjen

Republican legislator "should stop spreading these wild conspiracy theories,” commission chair says.

Statement on Recent Election Misinformation

State Elections Chair Wants Arizona-Style Audit

"Donald Trump won this election in Wisconsin," Rep. Brandtjen declares.

Legislators Clash On Police Funding

A heated debate as Republicans condemn Milwaukee and Milwaukee legislators defend the city.

State Assembly Passes Transgender Athlete Bill

Legislation would bar transgender women from playing on female athletic teams.

What Were Your State Legislators Up To This Weekend?

GOP Reps. Janel Brandtjen and Chuck Wichgers Abandon Wisconsinites to Visit Arizona Election Review Circus

Wisconsin Republican Legislators Join Arizona’s Illegitimate Election Audit

GOP Legislators Head to “Observe” the Arizona Election Circus While School Funding Remains at Risk and Budget Unfinished

How Vos Pushes The Big Lie

Claiming election irregularities, undermining election officials, hiring a GOP expert in smears.

Elections Commission Head Saw No Problems in Green Bay

Republican legislators claim election tampering, but Wolfe testified she saw no evidence of this.

GOP Leader Supports Dead People Voting

Huh? That’s a switch for Repubicans. But it might actually be a good idea.

GOP Bills Bar Transgender Athletes

Prevents them from competing with school teams that align with their gender identity.

Will Budget Hearings Be Superspreader Events?

Mask wars pit Democrats against Republicans in Legislature.

A Plea to State Republicans

Please stop the lies, stop fueling far-right threats to our democracy

Will State Republicans Abandon Trump?

Many have in other states. Will Wisconsin’s GOP get off the Trump crazy train?

GOP State Legislators Asked Pence to Not Certify Election

15 legislators signed the letter. Four of them serve on Assembly elections committee.

Rep. Hintz: Condemns Republican Legislators’ Lies and Dangerous Rhetoric

Calls on Vos to Remove Legislators from Elections Committee

Trump Won State, GOP Legislators Declare

Wisconsin Elections Commission chair Ann Jacobs has received threats to her children and family.

Legislature Refuses to Change Absentee Vote Counting Law

This past election shows why election officials want to count absentee votes early.

Republican Senators Offer 8 Police Bills

One requires cities in Wisconsin to maintain current police funding or lose state aid.

272 Candidates Running for State Legislature

Highest number since 2012, many contested primaries.

GOP Pushes Fetal Personhood

Republican legislators introduce an amendment to the state constitution that gives personhood to fertilized eggs.

Will Republicans Kill Rape Kit Bill?

30 states passed bills to assure rape kits are processed. Only Wisconsin has made it partisan, expert testifies.

Bill Defines Sexual Assault Victims Rights

“Bill of rights” proposed after study finds 26% of UW-Madison woman were sexually assaulted.

State Republican Lawmakers Oppose Barrett’s Budget

Seven Republicans take aim at proposal to reduce police staffing, but don't mention sales tax request.

Right-Wing Legislators Who Want to Outlaw Abortion and Birth Control Now Targeting Science

Their Extremist Agenda Could Ban Lifesaving Medical Research in Wisconsin

Tesla, Sen. Kapenga Helped by State Budget

Republicans add item letting Tesla sell vehicles directly to consumers. Kapenga owns business that sells Tesla parts.

Assembly Passes State Budget By 60-39

To secure Senate approval adds amendment to help a company championed by Republican senator.

Electric Scooters Could Return This Year

Bill working its way through state Legislature to legalize electric scooters.

Mayor Tom Barrett Applauds Passage of Bill Prohibiting Straw Purchasing

Senate Bill 408 criminalizes gun purchases on behalf of felons and acting as ‘human holster’

Logsdon Campaign Announces Endorsements

"I am very proud that so many hardworking, respected people have publicly endorsed my candidacy."

Bill usurps authority of Milwaukee citizens and could bring financial hardship to taxpayers

Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy - February 19, 2018

Walker Signs Vulnerable User Bill

Increases penalties for careless drivers who kill or injure bicyclists, pedestrians.

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

Leah unveils 100+ Wisconsin endorsements

Elected officials, grassroots activists and business owners unite behind Leah

Proposed state law would reduce local control over Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission

Statement of Alderman Michael J. Murphy - November 1, 2017

Bill Keeps Accused Cops on the Job

State bill would also let cops union grab power on Fire & Police Commission.

Vulnerable User Bill Moves Forward

Includes tougher sanctions against motorists who hit bicyclists, pedestrians.

Campaign Clout of Anti-Abortion Groups

They support only Republicans, and want to end abortion coverage for state workers.

GOP Bill Penalizes Sanctuary Cities

Milwaukee and Madison won’t change immigration policies, would be fined.

The World According to Janel Brandtjen

Republican lawmaker is angry about crime in the city. Here’s how she could help.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Cues Up Race Politics

Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. responds to article published in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, ‘Lawmaker blames Tom Barrett for crime spilling into suburbs’

Sen. Taylor responds to violent rhetoric from colleague

“If Rep. Brandtjen wants to stop the violence, she should spend her time authoring legislation to end violence, not writing press releases to incite it.”

Rep. Barnes Statement on Donald Trump Style Fear Mongering by GOP Legislator

“Wisconsin Republicans have long ignored the real work and efforts by legislators and community members in Milwaukee to address the root causes of criminal activity.”

State Representative Janel Brandtjen calls for funding cuts to Milwaukee until policies change

I will be openly advocating for funding cuts to Milwaukee unless steps are taken to dramatically cut crime in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin Women in Government Announces 2016 Board of Directors and Leadership Team

Wisconsin Women in Government was founded in 1987 to celebrate and support the talented women who choose a career in government service.

Assembly members propose bill enumerating I-94 corridor project

Traffic and engineering experts say modernizing the I-94 east/west corridor is needed to realize the safety features, reduced congestion and operational capabilities of both the Marquette and Zoo interchanges.