A state lawmaker formally requested the expulsion of state Sen. Jeffrey Wood, I-Chippewa Falls, Wednesday after Wood was arrested for the second time in recent months on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
According to a statement, state Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, called for the removal of Wood through an expulsion resolution after Wood indicated he will continue his duties as a state representative.
The expulsion resolution begins the process of Wood's possible removal from state office, a process that the state Legislature has not used for close to 100 years.
Charles Franklin, UW-Madison professor of political science, said although the circumstances are unusual, it is within the normal bounds of the Legislature to evaluate its members.
Franklin said as far as he knows there have been no allegations against Wood for misusing his office and said Wood's allegedly irresponsible behavior is not a typical impeachable offense. He said Wood's personal problems make him an easy political target.
""Rep. Wood got in trouble with Republicans when he left the Republican Party, and now that he's politically vulnerable because of the intoxicated driving cases, it makes him a good target for his former colleagues to come after him,"" Franklin said.
The Wisconsin Constitution requires a two-thirds vote by the state Assembly to pass the resolution. Franklin said it is more likely the public will have the opportunity to decide Wood's fate than the Legislature.
""I think that the more likely way it gets resolved is by the public voting in his next election bid rather than through the Legislature deciding to force him out in some way,"" he said.
