GOP candidate for governor Tim Michels sent a letter to incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers this week calling for an immediate halt to the work of the Wisconsin Parole Commission and Pardon Advisory Board. In the letter, Michels said Evers has “released at least 884 convicted criminals…into Wisconsin communities,” “includ(ing) more than 270 who killed or
attempted to kill and more than 44 child rapists.” Michels went on to describe three different violent offenders released by the Parole Commission and said it’s “not a surprise” that Evers “sympathize(s) with and coddle(s) brutal, convicted criminals.”
During a press conference in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Evers said he doesn’t have the authority to stop paroles in the state and he promised the work of the commission would continue. Evers also implied Michels’ letter made it plain the construction executive didn’t understand the law. “Well, whoever’s saying that is unprepared to be governor of the state of Wisconsin because paroles have to happen,” Evers said. “By law they have to happen. And so the parole board will still continue to do the work.”
