La Crosse man sues governor over mask mandate

Gov. Tony Evers and La Crosse’s city clerk are being sued over emergency orders aimed at fighting COVID-19. 

Nicholas Newman has filed the civil suit in La Crosse County court, objecting to being fired from election duty in La Crosse this year for not wearing a face mask at a polling place. 

Newman claims to have a legal exemption from wearing a mask because of a medical condition. 

He wants to stop the governor from issuing emergency rules, such as those mandating mask use, unless the legislature allows him to do so.

The suit is being scheduled for hearings in La Crosse County court, with a judge yet to be assigned.

The lawsuit names both Evers and La Crosse city clerk Teri Lehrke as defendants. 

Newman claims in the suit that he should be allowed to work elections without a mask, because it’s hard for him to breathe with a face covering.