Democrats hope Chvala will resign
10:47 AM 10/16/02
Scott Milfred and Tom Sheehan State government reporters

Chuck Chvala's days as leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate appeared numbered Wednesday as previously loyal colleagues called for him to resign.

"I anticipate that he will step aside" because of imminent criminal charges, said Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, shortly after speaking to Chvala, D-Madison, by telephone.

Neither Chvala nor his spokesman could be reached for comment.

"There's a presumption of innocence, but I think he will step down," said Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, who also spoke to Chvala. "In his own mind, I think he thinks it's in the best interest of the party."

Robson, Hansen and Sen. Kim Plache, D-Racine, said Chvala should leave his post because the charges will distract from important issues.

The three senators supported Chvala in the past. Chvala gave them key committee assignments and budget items for their districts. In some cases, Chvala steered cash to their election campaigns.

"All of the senators are talking among themselves" about who might replace Chvala, Robson said. "That is a very interesting question. Stay tuned."

Plache said new leadership will be decided after the Nov. 5 election. Hansen said a leadership change might come sooner.

Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Madison, agreed that Chvala should go. Erpenbach has been saying for weeks that he no longer supports Chvala.

But Chvala's legal problems won't affect Senate Democrats "at all in terms of sticking together, being unified and holding on to the majority," Erpenbach predicted.

Senate Minority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, and Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, R-Waukesha, declined comment Wednesday.

Democrats predicted that Republican leaders will be the next ones to face charges and, if so, should resign their leadership jobs.

UW-Madison political science professor Donald Downs said charges against Chvala don't necessarily tar other Democrats because many voters see the caucus scandal as "a two-sided coin" involving Republicans as well.

Brandon Scholz, a Republican strategist, said it's unclear how much voters care. U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, D-Milwaukee, tried to pin the caucus issue on Attorney General Jim Doyle in the Democratic primary for governor and didn't seem to benefit.