Failure of Election Commission to Act Doesn’t Make Lowell Holtz’s Proposed Election Bribe Any Less Sleazy
‘If This Isn’t Already Illegal, It Ought To Be’
Lowell Holtz. Photo from Facebook.
MADISON, Wis. — The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross regarding correspondence from the Wisconsin Election Commission that they will not act to hold Lowell Holtz accountable for discussing a possible election bribe in his campaign for state Superintendent of Public Instruction:
“The inaction by the Wisconsin Elections Commission points to shortcomings in the law, not the lack of sleaze in the conduct of Lowell Holtz when he sat down and discussed an election bribe.
“Let’s be clear about what Mr. Holtz was negotiating – an election bribe to spend over $500,000 in public tax dollars to fund the salary, the health care benefits and a chauffeur in exchange for an endorsement of a political campaign for state Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“If this brazen attempt by Holtz to use our public tax dollars to advance his private political ambitions isn’t already illegal under state law, according to the Wisconsin Election Commission, then it ought to be.”
As reported by numerous media outlets, Lowell Holtz met with another candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, in December 2016 to discuss a scheme to provide significant taxpayer funded compensation to the candidate who agreed to support the other. On the table was a guaranteed job at the Department of Public Instruction for three years at a taxpayer-funded salary of $150,000 per year. In addition to the job, they would have been provided with a chauffeur and full state benefits, a total compensation package likely worth in excess of $500,000.
One Wisconsin Now filed a formal complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission regarding Holtz and others discussions about what appears to be an election bribe.
In addition, One Wisconsin Now has submitted evidence and asked the Milwaukee and Rock County District Attorneys to investigate Holtz for possible violations of state law covering government and its administration after uncovering numerous incidents of Holtz using his school district email, during the workday, to plot campaign related activities.
One Wisconsin Now is a statewide communications network specializing in effective earned media and online organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by One Wisconsin Now
Dan Kelly’s Opinion: It’s OK to Lie in Judicial Campaigns
Jan 30th, 2020 by One Wisconsin NowState Supreme Court Candidate Co-Authored Column Opposing Efforts to Clean Up Court Campaigns
Campaign Cash Keeps Flowing to WILL’s Shill Dan Kelly
Jan 16th, 2020 by One Wisconsin NowOver $14,000 from Board Members of Right-Wing Legal Group to State Court Justice’s Campaign
Right-Wing Group That Wants to Criminalize Abortion Backs Dan Kelly State Supreme Court Campaign
Jan 15th, 2020 by One Wisconsin NowDan Kelly Supporters Want Court Action to Allow Enforcement of Abortion Ban Dating to 19th Century
