Milwaukee mayor replaces top elections official

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has replaced the city's election chief just six months prior to Election Day.

On Monday, the mayor's office announced that Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall would be replaced by Paulina Gutierrez, her deputy.

Johnson's spokesperson said that replacing Woodall wasn't a reflection of her performance running elections but was because of "other issues internal to the election commission office and to city government that raised concern," NBC News reported.

Johnson said in an interview with WISN 12 News that Woodall wasn't fired but was offered another position that she had previously suggested for herself. However, it appears that she is not accepting the position, Johnson added.

He also explained that the move was following his election to a full, four-year term as Milwaukee's mayor last month. He previously won a special election for the position in April 2022.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in an email to city staff on Sunday evening, Gutierrez wrote, "Change, especially when it is unexpected, can often be unsettling. The experience of changing leadership is demanding and uncertain as we navigate uncharted waters and relearn to collaborate and communicate as an organization."

She added that she "is building a network of people with experience in elections to support our efforts in this upcoming critical election year. ... The Mayor has assured me that we will be provided with the appropriate resources as we move into the fall to ensure our success."

Gutierrez's appointment is subject to the Milwaukee Common Council's approval.

Woodall's removal comes the week after her former deputy, Kimberly Zapata, was sentenced to probation and received a $3,000 fine for obtaining fake absentee ballots for military members in the 2022 election and sending them to a GOP state legislator.