Watertown Assembly candidate removed from ballot after accusations of election fraud

Max Bayer | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON - The Wisconsin Elections Commission voted unanimously Monday to remove candidate Charisse Daniels from the ballot after accusations of falsified signatures and elections fraud.

Commission spokesman Reid Magney said he could not discuss whether the commission would investigate Daniels for election fraud. The Watertown Police Department is already investigating Daniels.

With Daniels off the ballot, Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown) will face no opponent this fall in his re-election bid.

The challenge to Daniels' paperwork was brought by Jenny Toftness, who oversees campaigns for Assembly Republicans. She alleged that 40 signatures were fraudulent and three were duplicates.

The commission accepted 27 challenges, 15 of which of which were backed up by affidavits from individuals that said they did not sign Daniels’ nomination papers.

Daniels' attorney initially said he looked forward to sharing Daniels' side of the story but subsequently released no official statement. A representative for Daniels was not at Monday’s meeting.

Jagler became aware of possible fraud after contacting a friend and longtime supporter who was listed as signing Daniels’ nomination papers. When the friend said he hadn't signed her paperwork, Jagler discovered others who also said they had not done so.

RELATED: Assembly candidate doesn't challenge accusations that she forged nomination signatures

RELATED: Watertown police investigate allegations candidate forged signatures on nomination papers

Also Monday, the commission determined two Democrats running for governor could remain on the ballot. Republicans challenged the signatures for state Rep. Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire) and Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik, but the commission found their paperwork was sufficient. Eight other Democrats are also running for their party's nomination to challenge GOP Gov. Scott Walker.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson also will be on the ballot after the commission rejected a challenge to more than 2,700 signatures.