Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan has resigned from her position following her recent felony conviction, ending weeks of political fallout and impeachment preparations at the state Capitol.
Dugan submitted her resignation letter to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the governor’s office, which confirmed it would move quickly to fill the vacancy. Republican lawmakers had been openly discussing impeachment proceedings since her conviction last month.
In her letter, Dugan defended her decade-long judicial record while acknowledging that the case against her had become a burden on the court.
“Over the past ten years, I have presided over thousands of cases with a commitment to treat all persons with dignity and respect, to act justly, deliberately and consistently, and to maintain a courtroom with the decorum and safety the public deserves,” Dugan wrote.
She said her continued presence on the bench risked undermining the judiciary.
“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary,” she added. “I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary.”
Federal prosecutors accused Dugan of obstructing justice by interfering with federal officers attempting to make an arrest outside her courtroom. A jury convicted her last month of felony obstruction.
The case drew national attention after President Donald Trump referenced it while promoting his administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. Democrats countered that the prosecution was politically motivated and aimed at intimidating judges.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos welcomed Dugan’s decision to step aside.
“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution,” Vos said.
Democratic leaders also expressed support for her resignation, emphasizing the need for stability in the courts. Wisconsin Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs said Milwaukee would benefit from having a permanent judge in place while Dugan continues to challenge her conviction.
“Despite her situation, she is ever the champion of justice, wanting to remove the judiciary from a political battle over her fate,” Jacobs wrote on X. “I’m sure this is terribly hard for her, but she is true to her faith and her principles.”
Gov. Evers’ office said the process to appoint or elect a successor would proceed without delay.
