Changes in Madison: Steineke elected Assembly majority leader

MADISON (AP) — State Rep. Jim Steineke has been elected as Republican majority leader for the Wisconsin state Assembly.

Steineke, of Kaukauna, was chosen Monday by his Republican colleagues. He has been in the Assembly since 2011.

Majority leader is the second most powerful position in the Assembly behind speaker.

Steineke defeated state Reps. Andre Jacque, of DePere, and Joan Ballweg, of Markesan. The position of majority leader was open after state Rep. Pat Strachota, did not seek re-election to the Assembly.

Republicans won at least 61 seats in the Assembly in last week's elections, with Republicans leading Democrats in two other races that were too close to call. Their majority could be as high as 63-36.

Speaker Robin Vos was not challenged for re-election to his leadership post.