Rep. Bill Kramer, accused of groping aide, won't seek re-election

State Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha), already stripped of his party leadership position amid allegations he groped a legislative aide, filed papework Monday indicating he won’t seek re-election.
State Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha), already stripped of his party leadership position amid allegations he groped a legislative aide, filed papework Monday indicating he won’t seek re-election. Credit: Michael P. King
March 24, 2014
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By Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel

March 24, 2014 0

Madison — Rep. Bill Kramer — stripped of his leadership post earlier this month amid allegations of groping a legislative aide — will not seek re-election.

The Waukesha Republican filed paperwork Monday with state election authorities saying he was not running for re-election.

Kramer is accused of groping a legislative aide and making crude remarks to a lobbyist in February while in Washington for a fundraiser. Assembly Republicans removed him as majority leader soon after.

His aides have said he has checked himself in to an unspecified treatment program.

Kramer's district is overwhelmingly Republican, and the GOP is widely expected to retain the seat in the November elections.

No one was in Kramer's office Monday morning. Aides to Gov. Scott Walker and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) had no immediate comment. Walker has said Kramer should resign if the allegations are true.

Witnesses have said Kramer is accused of hugging a legislative staffer and touching her breasts at a social event after the fundraiser. He then allegedly made vulgar remarks about his sexual prowess to the lobbyist on the night of Feb. 26 and again the next day on a flight back to Wisconsin.

The legislative aide has filed a personnel complaint against Kramer. It is being investigated by Mark Kaeppel, the Legislature's human resources manager, and the review is ongoing, Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller said Monday.

Kramer's stint as majority leader was brief. He was elected to the post in September, after then-Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) stepped down from the Assembly.

Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) raised concerns about Kramer's behavior at the time.

Also Monday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced that Rep. Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan) won't seek a third term.

Also retiring from the Assembly are Reps. Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), John Klenke (R-Green Bay), Daniel LeMahieu (R-Cascade) and Pat Strachota (R-West Bend).

Bies said last week he intends to run for secretary of state.

In addition, state Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) won't be returning to the Assembly because he is running for the state Senate.

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About Patrick Marley

Patrick Marley covers state government and state politics. He is the author, with Journal Sentinel reporter Jason Stein, of "More Than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin.”

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