Vos says GOP would consider impeachment if Justice Protasiewicz doesn't sit out redistricting cases

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A top Republican is not ruling out a future push to impeach the newest justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. 

At a press conference in Oak Creek Tuesday morning, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said he would consider impeaching liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz if she does not recuse herself from cases involving the state's legislative maps, a process known as redistricting. 

The court is expected to decide this week whether to formally accept a pair of redistricting lawsuits filed by progressives in an effort to redraw new district maps that currently heavily favor Republicans in legislative races. 

Republicans have argued Protasiewicz cannot fairly hear those cases since she already called the state's voting maps "rigged" when she was campaigning this spring. 

"If not, to me, that is a pretty clear violation of the way that all of America works, as opposed to not pre-judging cases -- and it'd be one we'd have to discuss," said Vos. 

Vos floated impeachment earlier this month, but he also cautioned against the move because it would be unprecedented to remove a justice from the bench. 

"We’ll have to wait and see what happens," Vos told reporters. "If you prejudge any case, common sense would say you take yourself off. Do what’s right… allow the system to move forward."

Democrats slammed Vos for suggesting the idea in the first place. 

"Justice Protasiewicz has done absolutely nothing wrong or improper, and that would be the bar that would need to be met," said Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison). 

Academic reviews have found the maps are some of the most gerrymandered in the country because they enhance Republicans' majority in the Legislature. Democrats are hopeful the courts new 4-3 liberal majority could give them a shot at redrawing the maps.