The Sconi

In the wake of the Kenosha rioting last night State Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued a statement criticizing Governor Tony Evers for “incendiary” statements regarding the riots.

Evers took to social media to generically denounce police shootings in regards to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha that was captured on video.

Kenosha erupted in riots after the video’s release. 

Gov. Tony Evers

Rioters looted several downtown buildings, smashing windows and setting fire to businesses and institutions alike. 

“In less than 24-hours, we have unfortunately witnessed rioting, looting and incendiary statements from both Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes prejudging the circumstances of this officer-involved shooting,” Nass said in a statement.  

While Evers did couch his messaging, saying “while we do not have all of the details yet…”, he went on to call the shooting merciless.

“He is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country,” Evers said in a statement on Facebook.

Nass said the investigation into the shooting will be led by the Criminal Investigation of the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

“The Wisconsin Department of Justice is led by Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat,” Nass said. “The independent DCI investigators have conducted these types of inquiries before and will provide a fact-based report to the Kenosha County District Attorney and Attorney General Josh Kaul.”

Nass has rejected Evers’ request for a special session to explore legislation aimed at the Kenosha shooting and subsequent rioting.

d“If legislative leaders deem it appropriate to consider law enforcement reforms next week, I will be calling on Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald to schedule a concurrent extraordinary session to address other necessary reforms in response to government abuses of power,” Nass said.

Included in Nass’s suggested reforms are rescinding Evers’ July 30 emergency declaration order, the inaction of legislation meant to diminish the powers of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and local heal officials as well as a the scheduling of a vote to reject DHS Secretary-Designee Andrea Palm.

The Kenosha Democratic Party has not publicly made any acknowledgement regarding the riots and is going ahead with a scheduled 6 p.m. protest tonight.

Blake is recovering in stable condition after undergoing surgery yesterday.

Nass represents the 11th Senate District which is comprised of Waukesha, Jefferson, and Walworth Counties.