MADISON (WKOW) — A soon to be leader for the non-partisan Wisconsin Broadcasters Association resigned Wednesday following controversy over her appearance in a political ad.
Nancy Douglass has been a board member of WBA since 2010 and was the chair-elect of the association the represents broadcasters in the state.
The WBA said her resignation was received today in an email. In the statement, the WBA thanked Douglass for her service on the board, but gave no reason for her resignation.
On Monday, an advertisement featuring Douglass was released by the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC endorsed by House Speaker Paul Ryan and other top Republicans.
In it, Douglass talks about her own experience raising children as a single mother and her daughter’s struggle waiting for child support payments.
Douglass calls Randy Bryce, the Democrat running for the 1st Congressional District, a “deadbeat.”
“Randy Bryce did the same thing to his own family. Refusing to pay child support,” Douglass said. “Randy Bryce is a deadbeat. He’s not fit to serve in Congress.”
Bryce faces Republican Bryan Stiel for House Speaker Paul Ryan’s seat. Bryce has openly admitted he “got behind” on sending payments for child support years ago.
The WBA released a statement Wednesday and told WKOW the association was aware Douglass was going to be featured in a political ad, but said that was the last they heard before it was public.
“Our members are free to express their views,” said Kyle Geissler, Director of Operations and Public Affairs. “While the WBA doesn’t get involved in partisan politics, we don’t stop our members from doing so. Nancy Douglass’s decision, in this case, was her own personal decision.”
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin responded to the ad calling it unethical.
“It’s clearly disappointing that the incoming chair of the Broadcasters Association didn’t have the judgment to be impartial, but after the way WBA handled the Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, I’m not surprised,” said George Gillis, DPW Executive Director.
More on this story at WKOW 27 News