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Legislator facing 3rd OWI says he won't run again
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Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) announced on Friday, Oct. 23 that he is not seeking re-election to the 67th Assembly seat. The announcement comes two days after Wood was arrested for operating while intoxicated for the third time in less than a year and bail jumping.
The embattled legislator represents some Barron County communities including voters in the Dallas, Ridgeland and New Auburn areas.
Despite the charges he faces, the lawmaker says he won't resign because it wouldn't be "constructive."
"I think I can still do my job well and I don't, at least for right now, I don't see how a brand new freshman Democrat or Republican jumping in at the end of session when it's too late to even introduce bills could serve my constituent any better than I can," Wood said on WQOW TV-18 on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Governor Jim Doyle disagrees, and called for Wood's resignation last Thursday.
"The citizens of his area really need representation in the Legislature and right now they're really not getting that representation. I really don't see how he continues,'' Doyle said, adding that Wood should step aside to focus on his legal and personal problems.
Wood was arrested at 4:23 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in Tomah. A driver saw Wood's vehicle drive into oncoming traffic and twice enter an intersection at a red light before backing up. The caller said the vehicle almost struck hers in a parking lot. Wood told officers he was coming from the Tomah VA Medical Center and that he had taken one or two anti-depression pills that should not have affected his driving. He said he may have scraped a couple of curbs because he wasn't paying attention. Wood stumbled and swayed during the arrest, and fell over when police conducted a sobriety. Wood was arrested and charged with third-offense OWI and bail jumping.
Wood issued the following statement on Friday, Oct. 23:
"I am deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I have caused for my family and regret any disgrace I may have brought on the Wisconsin State Legislature. I believe it is in my family's best interest for me not to seek re-election to the Assembly next year, and I plan instead to focus on recovery.
"I have been in an in-patient treatment facility for the past three weeks. On Wednesday my roommate in treatment unexpectedly left the program. I requested a day pass to try to locate and convince him to return to complete treatment. During this time, I brought my prescription medication with me and took more than was prescribed."
"While I face many difficult decisions in the weeks and months ahead, today I know my primary focus must be on my own treatment for my struggles with drug and alcohol abuse."
Wood will also be dealing with a busy court schedule. An adjourned initial appearance in Monroe County Court is scheduled for Nov. 9; his initial appearance for OWI (prescription drug lorazepam) in Marathon County Court is on Dec. 9; and an oral ruling is scheduled in Columbia County Court on Dec. 1 for his Dec. 12, 2008 OWI arrest in Columbia County for drunk driving, possession of THC and drug paraphernalia.
But Wood may not get a chance to finish out his final term. The resolution for Wood's expulsion from the Assembly, introduced by Rep. Steve Nass on Oct. 14, primarily because of Wood's Sept. 23 OWI arrest near Wausau, has picked up new steam in the Assembly. On Friday, Speaker of the Assembly Michael Sheridan and Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald informed Wood that the expulsion proceedings are beginning.
"As you know, a resolution for you expulsion as a state representative from the state Assembly remains before our house. We wish to inform you that the Assembly will be taking action on this resolution, in pursuant to Assembly Rule 21 the Special Committee on Ethics and Standards of Conduct will be created. The members of this committee will be named in a timely fashion. Moving forward, the committee chair will be your main point of contact as the committee's work progresses."
Sheridan said he was deeply disappointed by Wood's latest arrest on Thursday.
"With this charge, rep. Wood has brought shame not only on himself, but on the Wisconsin State Assembly. Now, we must take a very hard look at his case and determine if he is truly able to serve the people of his district," Sheridan said.
The committee would recommend to the full Assembly whether Wood should be expelled, censured or reprimanded or if no action should be taken. A two-thirds vote is required to expel any lawmaker, which has not happened since 1917.
If Wood were expelled, the governor would call a special election to replace him. While Wood remains in office, he will keep collecting his $49,943 salary and benefits.
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©Barron News Shield 2009
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