For immediate release

December 6, 2021

Waukesha County Legislators Call for Governor to Remove Chisholm

Today, I joined with Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield), Representative Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee), and Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), along with other members of the Waukesha County legislative delegation, to send the following letter to Governor Evers asking for the removal of John Chisholm as Milwaukee County District Attorney.

See the letter below:

December 6, 2021

Honorable Governor Tony Evers
115 East
State Capitol
Madison, WI  53702

Dear Governor Evers:

As members of the Waukesha County legislative delegation, we stand united in our efforts to heal Waukesha after the horrific incident at the Christmas Parade.  We continue to pray for all the victims, their families, and our community. We hope this tragedy never happens to another Wisconsin community because it never should have happened in Waukesha. 

As you know, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, led by John Chisholm, recommended that Darrell Brooks Jr. be let out of jail with just $1,000 bail.  Brooks was released after being arrested on charges of punching the mother of his child and then hitting her with his SUV.  Days later, Brooks allegedly used this same SUV to barrel through the Waukesha Christmas Parade, killing 6 and injuring at least 60.  Chisholm has since admitted this action by his office was “inappropriate.”

Chisholm has refused to step down after a flood of calls for his resignation. Because of this, we are calling on you to remove John Chisholm as Milwaukee County District Attorney.  It is clear to us as legislators and many people from the Waukesha County and Milwaukee County areas affected by the recent tragedy that District Attorney Chisholm has neglected his duty in his office.

Sadly, Chisholm’s reforms on limiting the use of cash bail have failed, and his own 2007 words to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel are haunting, “Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into [a] treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody?  You bet.  Guaranteed.  It’s guaranteed to happen.” This approach, combined with a lack of transparency from his office, is deeply concerning. Under his leadership, Chisholm has fulfilled his own prophecy – and innocent Wisconsinites have now paid and will continue to pay the price for his actions.

In light of the devastation to the Waukesha community, it is clear Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm has neglected his duty to the citizens of Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin, and he should be removed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 17.06 (3) immediately.

On behalf of our constituents, we thank you for listening and we look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,