MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative policy group filed an open records lawsuit on Tuesday against Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, accusing her of blocking a request it hopes can shed light on the events that led to her appointment earlier this year.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers tapped Godlewski for the role on March 17, the day her predecessor, longtime Secretary of State Doug La Follette, abruptly resigned less than three months into his eleventh consecutive term. Republicans who control the state Legislature blasted the move as a quid pro quo and called on Evers to instead hold a special election to fill the job.

Godlewski, who previously served as state treasurer, was coming off an unsuccessful 2022 midterm bid for U.S. Senate. She and two other top contenders dropped out of the crowded Democratic primary in the same week in July to clear the way for former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who ultimately lost to incumbent Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

Godlewski has repeatedly denied allegations that Evers handed her the office as a reward for dropping out of the Senate race and endorsing Barnes. She told The Associated Press in her first interview after being appointed that the governor’s decision came as a complete surprise to her.