Incoming Wisconsin governor open to ‘all options’ to respond to GOP legislation limiting his power

Wisconsin Gov.-elect Tony Evers (D) said Sunday he’s considering “all options” to push back against efforts from state Republicans to limit his power before he takes office, including a potential lawsuit.

“I’m not making any promises one way or another but we’re looking at all options at the table,” Evers said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“I need to stand up for the people of Wisconsin,” he continued. “There’s 2.6 million people that voted in this last election and they expect me to do that. So we’re going to pursue this.”

WATCH: Governor-Elect Tony Evers (D-Wisc.) discusses possible litigation if Gov. Scott Walker signs legislation to limit his power. @GovElectEvers: “I need to stand up for the people of Wisconsin.” #MTP pic.twitter.com/OOLHEaDSI5

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) December 9, 2018

{mosads}Evers, who narrowly defeated Gov. Scott Walker (R) in last month’s election, said he spoke with the governor over the phone to urge him to veto legislation from state Republicans meant to limit the power of the incoming Democratic state officials.

Walker was “noncommittal,” Evers said, but has publicly indicated he will sign the legislation that Democrats have decried as a lame-duck power grab.

“I’m not particularly encouraged at this point in time, but it’s around Scott Walker’s legacy,” Evers said. “He has the opportunity to change this and actually validate the will of the people.”

“The entire thing is a mess,” Evers added. “It’s a hot mess. And I believe he should veto the entire package.”

After an all-night session on Wednesday, the state Senate narrowly passed several bills limiting the power of Evers and Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul (D), and curtailing early voting. The state Assembly passed the same bills early Wednesday morning.

Protesters shouted and booed at lawmakers in the chambers of the state legislature as they prepared to vote on the measures.

Republicans framed the votes as a way to protect Walker’s legacy, particularly relating to limits on public employee unions and work requirements for certain government programs.