Wednesday, October 3, 2012
An investigation by the Racine County Sheriff has determined that allegations against Samantha Vos are unfounded.
An investigation by the Racine County Sheriff's Department has determined that voter fraud allegations against Samantha Vos are unfounded. Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete issued a written release Wednesday saying the complaint filed by Eagle River resident Roberta Retrum was unfounded and that Samantha Vos did not violate Wisconsin election law. Samantha Vos is the estranged wife of Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester). "After a follow-up investigation by the Racine County Sheriff’s Office and after review by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office, it has been determined that the allegations are unfounded and that no violations occurred," Chiapete said in the statement. Retrum filed a formal complaint Friday with the D.A.'s …
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Kelley Albrecht can bring something new to the 63rd Assembly District. Armed with integrity and compassion, Albrecht can bring some much needed change.
Possible Ironic Fraud? “I did not personally witness any voter fraud,” Vos said. “But some portion of what happened could be classified as fraud.” That was Representative Robin Vos’ statement on Upfront with Mike Gousha shortly after the Senator Lehman/Wanggaard recount fiasco. Vos has been a staunch supporter of Voter ID laws and a big ole wolf crier on voter fraud. What makes it all the more ironic that his soon-to-be ex wife is being investigated for, yep, you guessed it ... voter fraud. Vos’ opponent for the 63rd Assembly District, Kelley Albrecht, stated, “It is beyond the pale that the only case of documented voter fraud in Racine County may have occurred in Rep. Vos’ family – a family having many, many years of experience working in…
An attorney for Samantha Vos points out that her residency in Idaho is temporary. The letter was issued in response to a complaint of voter fraud filed by Roberta Retrum that says Vos voted illegally in Wisconsin while living in Idaho.
Update 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 An Eagle River woman filed a complaint Friday with the Racine County District Attorney's Office alleging the estranged wife of Rep. Robin Vos committed voter fraud. Roberta Retrum, a resident of Eagle River and former Assembly candidate for the 34th District, drove five hours to file her complaint in person instead of mailing it. "I wanted to know it was received," she said. "This was worth the trip." Retrum says that Samantha Vos, who is legally separated from Robin Vos, violated Wisconsin voting laws by casting ballots in the spring election, the recall, and the August partisan primary while she was a resident of Idaho. Vos is the Republican state Assembly person for the 63rd District and co-chair of the Joint …
Monday, September 24, 2012
The 2012 fall election season is in fulll swing. Patch and WGTD Radio are working together to sponsor debates for the major races in our area, including Rep. Paul Ryan's re-election race in the First Congressional District.
**Updated 1 p.m. Sept. 25 Patch and WGTD Radio are busy hammering out the details for two debates next month; one featuring Rep. Paul Ryan and challenger Rob Zerban and a second highlighting the six candidates up for three state legislature seats. On Sept. 11, we issued a formal invitation to both Ryan and Zerban to attend a live debate at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25. Since then, Zerban has confirmed he will attend, and Ryan’s campaign has said they can’t confirm Ryan’s attendance just yet. Still, they are willing to work with us so residents get to hear from both candidates. “I would be glad to discuss any alternatives so voters can hear where Congressman Ryan stands on the issues of importance in this election,” said Kevin Seifert, Ryan’s campaign…
Friday, September 14, 2012
As news of Dane County Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas' decision to strike down the state's collective bargaining law spread, liberals marked the ruling a win while conservatives took issue with it.
Just hours after Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas decided that the state’s collective bargaining law was unconstitutional, reaction from liberals and conservatives erupted. According to our media partners at FOX 6 News, Colas ruled Act 10 — the budget repair bill — as null and void because the law violates both the state and U.S. constitutions. Specifically, the law violates the guarantee of freedom of speech and citizens' freedom of association. The news heated up Wisconsin liberals and conservatives on social media sites, caused outrage and praise from elected officials, and pleased top union officials. A event page titled We Aren’t Backing Down! Tell Wisconsin Union Judges NO! was posted by a group called Founders’ Intent and …
Estimates in February put the cost of recall upwards of $17 million. The real figures are closer to $13 million, which is still a big chunk of change.
The Government Accountability Board issued a press release Friday saying the 2012 recall elections cost taxpayers more than $13 million. Specifically, the statement says the May recall primary ran up a bill of $6.3 million. That figure includes: The June recall general election cost more, coming in at $7.2 million. This amount also accounts for a variety of functions: “Instead of conducting two primaries and two elections this year, Wisconsin election officials will be conducting six elections, which added approximately $13.5 million in unbudgeted costs,” said Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the GAB in the statement. “These unplanned elections also put significant stress on Wisconsin’s clerks, who have many other duties …
Friday, June 8, 2012
Assembly Co-Chair of Joint Finance Committee Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) say the way Wisconsin does recall costs our state more than just money.
The citizens of Wisconsin have just had to endure the most contentious election in our state’s history only to have a governor elected for a second time in his first term. Now this never-ending cycle of recalls must come to an end. Wisconsin has had 15 attempts to recall a state official in less than a year. It has become a political circus with taxpayer dollars being thrown around like confetti. Thankfully, it has become crystal clear that people across our state have had enough; it’s time to recall the recalls. The exit polls from Tuesday’s elections found that sixty percent of voters say recall elections are only appropriate for official misconduct. It’s completely understandable that there’s voter fatigue. This is the second round…
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Despite the gulf between their philosophies, big names from both sides of the recall told their supporters the same thing: Get to the polls and take everyone you know with you.
Two rallies, two distinct ways of looking at the state's historic recalls and one overriding message: Get out and vote, and get as many people as possible to go, too. "Call everyone you know," Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch told the almost 4,000 people in Gorney Park Saturday for the Racine Tea Party rally. "Email your family and friends, talk to your neighbors, use social media and let's win this thing for Wisconsin." It wasn't much different two hours later at the Racine Labor Center where recall supporters gathered to meet liberal radio and MSNBC talk show host Ed Schultz. "We've done a lot of work, but there's more to be done before Tuesday," said US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison). "Every single vote counts, and it is up to you to close …
Monday, May 14, 2012
With the 2011 and 2012 recall elections costing Wisconsin taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) introduced an amendment that would change the way we do recall in Wisconsin. Vos is Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance.
Last week every community across Wisconsin spent thousands of tax dollars on an unnecessary recall election. In a few weeks, our local governments will spend that same amount again. Racine County Clerk Wendy Christensen estimates that a quarter of a million dollars will be spent on the recall elections in our county. So, it’s not surprising that the total cost of the two recall elections statewide is expected to exceed $16 million. I think we all can agree that’s too much money. These dollars could be better spent or even better, given back to the taxpayer. Our state is turning into the recall state. My constituents continue to grow tired and frustrated with the never-ending campaign cycle. Even the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
State Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester), praises changes in state law after Gov. Scott Walker announces the savings from collective bargaining limits for the public sector.
Updated at 3:40 pm to reflect new input from the Governor's office regarding Racine County. A state lawmaker who represents a good part of Racine County is praising Gov. Scott Walker’s announcement that the state’s controversial budget repair law has resulted in $1 billion in savings. Act 10 - the budget repair bill - significantly limited public unions in collective bargaining. State Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, released the following statement after Walker appeared in Manitowoc Monday morning where the governor made the announcement: “The fiscal reforms are paying off for Racine County and the entire state. The $1 billion in savings is just the beginning of the benefits from the smart choices that were made for the financial future of …
James R Hoffa
7:20 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Never happened - the Sheriff's department investigators claimed that without Voter ID, voter fraud was impossible to detect. As for a combination of registration/voter fraud, the investigators stated that they would have to check each and every new registration form and then verify that the elector actually lives where they claimed to live by personally visiting every address listed on the … more ›