Brookfield Alderman Calls On Wisconsin Congressman To Resign

BROOKFIELD, WI—A City of Brookfield alderman called on Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald to resign after the lawmaker voted to uphold the objection to the presidential election results from two swing states.

City of Brookfield Alderman Mike Hallquist said he has an expectation people can be partisan about a lot of issues which is fine when they are policy-related. Hallquist told Patch the issue is about believing in democracy and people's right to vote.

"Despite a dearth of tangible evidence and repeated legal defeats, including from the highest court in the land, you decided to assault the most fundamental democratic principle of free and fair elections by casting your ballot to object," Hallquist's letter to Fitzgerald said.

Patch reached out to Rep. Scott Fitzgerald but we haven't heard back as of Monday morning.

Wednesday's joint session of Congress was the last hurdle before the Jan. 20 inauguration of Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Here's how the individual members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation voted on the two votes to uphold objections to the election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania:

Reps. Tom Tiffany and Scott Fitzgerald, both Republicans and the state's two newest members of Congress, objected to certifying votes in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Those were the only two states where votes on objection were taken.

All other members of the state's congressional delegation voted against upholding the two objections.

Hallquist's elected office is non-partisan, but as an individual he is a member of the Waukesha County Democratic Party.

Hallquist expressed "deep disappointment" with Fitzgerald and Tiffany.

"To think they would take it that far to basically add further fuel to delegitimize the election," Hallquist said.

The alderman told Patch it is frustrating as a constituent, and a person who is in the smallest form of government, to know that his elected representative is actively trying to undermine the election.

Breach on the Capitol

Hallquist like many others watched television coverage of an angry, pro-Trump mob attacking the U.S. Capitol.

"We are beyond hypothetical violence. We are now in the era of real violence and real unrest," Hallquist told Patch.

Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, initially signed on to an objection to Arizona's votes before the riot Wednesday afternoon, but ultimately voted against it and against the Pennsylvania objection. Leading up to the vote, Johnson was part of a group of senators on the record as pushing for objections, citing unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and wrongdoing.

"As a Congressman your actions and words matter; your vote to perpetuate this fraudulent narrative has only provided further legitimization to the same fringe groups that tragically attacked our Capitol last Wednesday. Whether it be out of concern for political self-preservation or ambition when given the opportunity to stand for democracy, you chose to stand for yourself," Hallquist's letter said.

Hallquist told Patch votes like this also question the hard and diligent work that poll workers and clerks' offices do to maintain that elections are free and fair.

"Pollworkers, election clerks, officials, and related staff have been unjustifiably attacked by the GOP that have demonized their work and in some cases has led to death threats and fears for their safety," he said.

He added, votes like this further undermine the public trust in elections despite having no evidence of widespread and systemic fraud or "theft."

Hallquist told Patch people are looking at what their elected officials are doing, saying, and how they are voting. He added people are using those actions to "legitimize" their very fringe conspiracies" about how the election was run.

"At some point, enough is enough. Your candidate lost, it is time to move on," he said.

Voters are watching

Hallquist said he is doubtful Fitzgerald is concerned about the calls for him to resign.

"If he took his job seriously he would have never objected to that vote, to begin with," he said.

Hallquist told Patch the representative has the "luxury" of being in a very gerrymandered district.

His point of sending the letter is to show "his abhorrent behavior" to voters.

"It is important for people to know this is not normal. This is beyond what I would consider politics as usual," Hallquist said.

Read Hallquist's full letter below:

Dear Representative Fitzgerald,

I take no great pleasure in our first official correspondence being one of complete and total condemnation for your behavior as my Congressman, but I am deeply disappointed in your decision to object to the 2020 Presidential Election results in Pennsylvania and Arizona on January 6th. Despite a dearth of tangible evidence and repeated legal defeats, including from the highest court in the land, you decided to assault the most fundamental democratic principle of free and fair elections by casting your ballot to object.

Congressman, you further commented that you would have objected to the Wisconsin election results if given the opportunity. Your complete and unflinching desire to disenfranchise your constituents, and the votes of Brookfield residents, shows a staggering disregard for the duties you were sworn to office three days prior to uphold.

As a Congressman your actions and words matter; your vote to perpetuate this fraudulent narrative has only provided further legitimization to the same fringe groups that tragically attacked our Capitol last Wednesday. Whether it be out of concern for political self-preservation or ambition, when given the opportunity to stand for democracy, you chose to stand for yourself.

We can respectfully disagree on policy, but your behavior threatens the very bedrock of what America stands for. For that reason, I sincerely hope you have a moral reckoning and conclude that when you were tested by your country, you failed, and are entirely unfit for the office you hold. I ask you do what is best for the 5th Congressional District by resigning immediately.