Gov. Evers slams Senate Republicans over termination of Gubernatorial appointees, taps new replacements

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Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Tuesday slammed Republicans in the Wisconsin State Senate for once again voting to “baselessly fire two of the governor’s appointees” to the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents who voted against a deal brokered by Republican leaders and the UW System purportedly aimed at limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campuses. Wisconsin Republicans in the Wisconsin State Senate today voted to fire Regents John Miller and Dana Wachs from the UW Board of Regents, according to Evers.

To date, with the two Regents fired today, Senate Republicans have now baselessly rejected 15 of Gov. Evers’ appointees. Senate Republicans last month fired the governor’s appointees to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board, as well as a Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Commissioner in January. Senate Republicans are similarly set to fire as many as six other appointees to the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, the Wisconsin Deferred Compensation Board, and the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, respectively, today, bringing the total number of baselessly fired appointees to 21 total since the governor took office, Evers noted.

“Senate Republicans are continuing their unprecedented efforts to baselessly fire capable, qualified Wisconsinites who are volunteering their skills, time, and energy to serve our state, and for no reason other than petty, partisan politics,” said Evers.

“We work incredibly hard to appoint the best candidates to every role, so to have these folks’ service to our state politized like this just because they don’t bend to the will of certain politics or politicians—it’s ridiculous. Republicans have turned a basic duty of government into a political circus, and the ones who pay the price are the people of Wisconsin,” Evers continued.

Evers expressed his gratitude for the new replacements.

“I’m incredibly grateful to John and Dana for their leadership and service to the UW System and its students, faculty, and staff—they’re exceptional human beings, and I have great respect for them. I likewise have full confidence that Haben and Amy will bring the same level of expertise and dedication to the Board and the UW as they assume these roles,” Evers said.

According to Evers, in order to ensure the Board of Regents’ important work is not delayed or impeded, Evers immediately announced the appointment of Haben Goitom and Amy Traynor.

Haben Goitom is a business professional and attorney with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions and directing legal strategy for companies. Goitom attended UW Law School and currently serves as vice president of Legal for Mainspring Energy. Prior to that, she served in numerous roles, including acting general counsel, director of Business Transformation, and supply chain director during her nearly 10 years at Alliant Energy. Goitom is also a member of the executive board of the Urban League of Greater Madison, according to Evers.

Amy Traynor has more than two decades of experience in public education and is currently lead teacher at Anthony Acres School in the Mondovi School District. Traynor earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point and later earned her master’s in teacher education and professional development from UW-La Crosse. She previously served as a mathematics teacher and instructional coach at Delong Middle School in Eau Claire, where she taught for more than 20 years. She was named the 2013 Wisconsin State Middle School Teacher of the Year and was appointed by Gov. Evers to the Education Commission of the States in 2019. She will serve a term ending in May 2029, Evers noted.