Bice: Wisconsin commission throws out GOP complaint against Democratic candidate Andy Gronik

Daniel Bice
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The state Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint by the state Republican Party against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik over campaign issues. 

"After reviewing the materials presented, the commission made a finding of no reasonable suspicion that a violation of the law occurred," Brian Bell, commission administrator, wrote to Mark Morgan, executive director of the state GOP, last month.

Andy Gronik is a Milwaukee businessman who has announced he will run as a Democrat against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Morgan filed the complaint in April alleging that Gronik, a Milwaukee businessman, had violated state election laws by setting up a politically focused nonprofit called Stage W and commissioning a political poll without registering a campaign committee.

The complaint asserted Stage W, which says it is committed to "bridging the political divide," appears to operate "as a campaign committee in waiting for Mr. Gronik." Gronik, who announced his bid for governor this month, is president of the nonprofit.

"As expected, the complaint filed by the Republican Party of Wisconsin was dismissed immediately," Gronik said via email. "Now that I am a candidate for governor, we’re seeing the RPW continue with the political game-playing."

Gronik, 60, said he would remain focused on finding "real policy solutions" to the issues facing Wisconsin. 

Alec Zimmerman, a GOP spokesman, continued to press his party's case, despite its complaint being tossed by state regulators. 

Saying Gronik's gubernatorial campaign has gotten off to a bad start, Zimmerman said the Ethics Commission's decision "does not change the fact that Andy Gronik intentionally circumvented public scrutiny."

Gronik, a political neophyte, is the most prominent Democrat to commit to the race.

Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma and ethics activist Mike McCabe have filed paperwork to run. State Rep. Dana Wachs of Eau Claire is expected to make an announcement soon, and state schools superintendent Tony Evers is weighing a possible run. 

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.