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Wisc. Gov. Evers Weighs In On Sexism Claims Against GOP

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The latest on Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders (all times local):

1 p.m.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has this to say on whether Republican legislative leaders are sexist: "You connect the dots."

Evers spokeswoman on Saturday accused Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald of refusing to negotiate with the governor's chief of staff because she is a woman.

Evers initially declined to answer questions about it Monday, but later put out a statement. He says that only Vos and Fitzgerald "can say why they won't work with the women who are leading my office."

Evers says he has asked Republicans to work with his staff the same way they did with former Republican Gov. Scott Walker's staff.

Evers says, "They know how to work with my staff and are choosing not to. So, this is clearly a departure from past practice. You connect the dots."

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10:36 a.m.

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is refusing to say whether he agrees with his spokeswoman's claims that Republican legislative leaders won't negotiate with his chief of staff because she is a woman.

Evers dodged the question Monday at a news conference where he appeared to support a Democratic automatic voting registration bill.

Evers says he was only going to talk about the bill, which would automatically register voters when they receive or renew their driver's license or state ID cards.

When asked if he thinks Republicans should talk with his chief of staff Maggie Gau about the voter registration bill, Evers says "I believe they should be able to talk with Maggie Gau on voting rights, absolutely."

Evers' spokeswoman on Saturday said Republican legislative leaders won't work with Gau. Republicans dismissed the charge as "asinine" and "clueless."

(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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