WEC Rules for Independent Dist. 12 Assembly Candidate, Grants Ballot Access

Milwaukee, WI — The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) held a quickly scheduled hearing Monday morning to consider a nomination paper challenge against Deanna Alexander brought by a powerful Democrat political group aimed at gaining party power in the Wisconsin Assembly. The group sought to keep Alexander, an independent candidate for the 12th Assembly District, off the ballot, ensuring that voters would only be able to consider Democrat candidates in the election. Those efforts have failed and the WEC ruled in favor of the Alexander campaign.

Morgan Hess, Executive Director of the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee, hired an attorney and on the last hour of the final day to challenge candidates’ nomination papers, filed a 66-page complaint alleging that Alexander did not have enough valid signatures to be allowed to run. Hess claimed being unable to read words on pages that had already passed WEC staff’s review with approval, asking for reconsideration. Hess even claimed that a voter lied about his address when signing because the proprietary computer software used by the Democrat Party said that the voter had been registered in the past at another address – information that would not even qualify under state law as reason for a valid objection because it disregards the voters’ current address.

Without the resources of a large partisan political party, Alexander had to build and deliver her own defense, including a written response and then appearing to personally defend her campaign and candidacy before the Commission.

As part of her defense, Alexander provided notarized affidavits from numerous residents confirming that their addresses are, in fact, legitimate, and that they read what they were signing and stood by their nomination of Alexander for the State Assembly. After seeing Alexander’s defense evidence, Hess attempted to avoid embarrassment for the group’s actions by withdrawing the complaint. The WEC denied the withdrawal and instead ruled against it, resulting in a unanimous vote protecting Alexander’s status as an independent ballot candidate.

“I knew that I would draw attention as an independent candidate, seeking to answer to the people rather than to a political party. Who knew that a political party would go on the attack turning things into a ‘David versus Goliath’ situation so quickly before candidacy could even be determined for everyone?” said Alexander.

“I’m grateful to the residents who put their faith in nominating me to be an option on the ballot, and I’m relieved that I was able to successfully defend their nominations as valid and lawful, ensuring the voters have real options and choices come election day,” Alexander continued.

Deanna Alexander is a native Wisconsinite, a military veteran, and an adoptive mother of four. She grew up with an incarcerated parent, has served as a choice school auditor, and focuses on pragmatic ways to improve government. She has served on the Milwaukee County Board for over a decade and will appear on Wisconsin’s fall ballot as an independent candidate for Representative to the Assembly – District 12.

Citizens for Servant Leadership

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.