Madison Reporter

Madison Common Council Ald. Gary Halverson has tendered his resignation after it was made public that he was one of several elected officials in Wisconsin to have ties to far-right extremist group The Oath Keepers.

Halverson made his announcement in a statement posted to the city’s website on Sept. 13, adding that his resignation is effective immediately. The Oath Keepers group is known to have had a large presence at the Jan. 6th, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

“I made a mistake when I joined a group that deceived me and other veterans,” NBC15.com reports Halverson said in his statement. “I quickly corrected it. I apologize for the embarrassment, distraction and pain this has caused.”

As news of his ties to the group has spread, Halverson said his home has been the target of vandalism and graffiti, prompting the Madison Police Department to launch an investigation.

In a statement, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said that while criticism comes as part of the territory for those serving in public office damage to property will not be tolerated.

“While elected officials must embrace feedback from, and disagreement with, our constituents, I do not believe that graffiti or protests at our homes are an appropriate form of engagement,” she added.

WKOW reports the Mayor added she’s convinced Halverson’s decision to resign was the right one for his family and offered sympathies for all they have had to deal with.

Halverson was first elected as District 17 alderman in 2021.