The former Oneida County circuit court judge said some members of the commission show an "observable lack of commitment" to enforcing the state's campaign finance, ethics, and lobbying laws.

"On top of this, staff are confronted with overbearing nit-picking at virtually every meeting. Over time ... this disrespectful treatment will erode staff morale and we will lose these talented people. Perhaps that is the goal," Kinney said.

Kinney also complained about the commission's rules, which he said require too much secrecy and "almost completely" shut out the public.

In his statement, Kinney referenced an Oct. 10 meeting at which three commissioners voted to remove the phrase ""furthering Wisconsin’s tradition of clean and open government" from the commission's mission statement. Four votes are required for the agency to take an action.

Kinney said that vote "foreshadowed what was to come."

Commission chairwoman and Democratic former attorney general Peg Lautenschlager said she was "honored" to have served on the commission with Kinney.

"I thought he brought a thoughtful point of view to the deliberations of the commission, and he will be missed," she said.