David A. Clarke Jr. resigns as Milwaukee County sheriff
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Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. — the controversial, Stetson-wearing official who rose to national prominence with his no-holds-barred conservative rhetoric — resigned his office Thursday.
Clarke, who is in his fourth term, submitted a resignation letter to Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson on Thursday afternoon. The sheriff was attending the convention of the National Fraternal Order of Police in Nashville and could not be reached for comment.
"Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 17.01, this communication is submitted as the notice of my resignation as Sheriff of Milwaukee County commencing Aug. 31, 2017, at 11:59 p.m.," stated Clarke's resignation letter.
Craig Peterson, an adviser to Clarke, said the sheriff would be making an announcement about his future next week.
"Clarke wants people to know that he appreciates his 15 years of service and the support he's gotten from the residents of Milwaukee County," Peterson said. News of the resignation was first reported by conservative talk show host Mark Belling.
Clarke is not expected to be headed to President Donald Trump's administration.
Earlier this year, he was passed over for a job in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Clarke, a frequent surrogate for Trump during his successful 2016 campaign, also interviewed last year for a job in Trump's cabinet.
Gov. Scott Walker will appoint Clarke's successor, but the process won't begin until the governor's office receives the sheriff's resignation letter.
Once that happens, the governor will seek applications, a process that usually takes a couple of weeks, and then begin interviewing candidates. Applicants must live in Milwaukee County to be appointed to the post.
Clarke's successor will serve until the end of the current term in 2018.
He rose to national prominence beginning with his narrow 2014 Democratic primary victory, overcoming heavy outside spending by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the help of the National Rifle Association.
Shortly after, Clarke became the go-to law enforcement official to defend police officers as they faced protesters after shootings in Ferguson, Mo., New York City and elsewhere. He was particularly critical of the Black Lives Matter movement, which he dubbed "Black Lies Matter."
Clarke parlayed his newfound prominence into a lucrative side career, giving lectures and talks at conservative conferences, conventions and cruise boats. In 2016, he collected $220,172 in speaking fees, gifts, lodging, airfare and other travel-related expenses while speaking to 34 different groups.
Critics of the sheriff greeted Clarke's resignation letter with glee.
"This is a victory for the people of Milwaukee County and the state of Wisconsin," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera. "We stopped David Clarke from being appointed to the Trump Administration, and today we have driven him from office."
The son of a Korean war veteran, Clarke — a lifelong Milwaukee resident — has been in law enforcement through most of his adult life. He joined the Milwaukee Police Department in 1978, serving as a patrolman for 11 years and rising to captain in 1996.
He was catapulted into the job of Milwaukee County sheriff after the resignation of Lev Baldwin. Ten people applied for the opening, and then-Gov. Scott McCallum, a Republican, appointed Clarke in March 2002.
At the outset of his tenure, Clarke was hailed as a fresh face who could bring new ideas and energy to the department. He earned support from conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats.
But over the years, as his rhetoric grew harsher, he moved steadily to the right. Even while continuing to run as a Democrat, he relied on a conservative base to win re-election.
The list of people interested in replacing Clarke includes some heavy-hitters.
Former Milwaukee Police Capt. Earnell Lucas, now a vice president of security with Major League Baseball, has said in the past he would submit his name to Walker for appointment to the office if Clarke were to step down.
"I have a deep and abiding commitment to this community and the right experience in law enforcement and public safety to be the next Milwaukee County sheriff," Lucas said earlier this year.
Lucas, who registered as a candidate for sheriff in 2018, has been campaigning for months. He plans to run in the Democratic primary.
Also, U.S. Marshal Kevin Carr, who served as Clarke's top deputy for several years, has said he would seek Walker's appointment if the sheriff resigned. He was not immediately available for comment.
"Naturally, after 30 years with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office and approximately 38 years in law enforcement, I do have an interest in continuing my public service by being appointed to the Sheriff's position by Governor Walker," Carr said via email.
"I would consider it an honor and a privilege to respectfully serve all of the people in Milwaukee County in that capacity."
Milwaukee County Judge John Siefert has said he plans to run as a Democrat for sheriff next year. But, unlike Lucas, he has said he will not seek an appointment from Walker.
"I assume the governor will insist that his appointee run as a Republican," Siefert said earlier this year. "I would not run as a Republican."
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