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MADISON, Wis. - Robin Vos, Wisconsin's most powerful Republican and longest serving Assembly speaker in state history, announced on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the year and not seek reelection.
Vos to retire
What they're saying:
Vos got choked up as he shared his announcement with fellow lawmakers. He said a key reason he is stepping away is that he had a heart attack in the fall, which he called a "sign from God" that he should retire.
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"Luckily, my doctors say I am perfectly fine, but I do need to reduce my stress level, and let me tell you, this job is stressful," Vos said. "It was this sign from God that convinced me I needed to choose a different path."
The Republican represents the Rochester area in the Wisconsin Assembly. He's been a state representative for more than two decades and became the Assembly speaker in 2013.
"I love this job. I love the people, the process … the negotiating and getting things done for Wisconsin," he said, "bu now is the time to pass the baton to next generation of conservative leaders."
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In a statement, Vos wrote:
"I have accomplished all that I wanted to accomplish serving in the Assembly and am proud of the conservative victories that benefit all of Wisconsin. We helped families and job creators by returning billions in historic tax relief, along with $35 billion in savings from Act 10. We expanded educational opportunities by giving parents the ability to choose what is best for their children and worked to reduce the size of government. Most of all, we held the line to make Wisconsin a better place to live.
"I am also proud we reformed the way the state legislature works. Through negotiations under my leadership, we established the first bipartisan operating agreement in the country – underscoring that all voices in the legislature matter and reaffirming my goal to maintain the legislature as a co-equal branch of government. I have always strived to protect the process that enshrines the purpose of the people’s house – that it belongs to the people.
"What kept me grounded was the reminder that the gavel belongs to the institution, not an individual person. Strong institutions matter and I believe I am leaving this institution stronger and ready to endure the road ahead. I have confidence in Wisconsin’s future and in those who will work to carry this work forward.
"I want to thank my constituents over the years who placed their trust in me by sending me to Madison. They were a reminder every day as to why this work is important and why we are here to advance our state. I thank my wife Michelle for the years of unwavering support, and I am grateful for everyone involved in the process. My tenure was never about longevity; it was about stewardship and approaching each issue deliberately and with respect for the people we serve but it is now time to pass the baton to the next generation of conservative leaders."
Republican leadership
The backstory:
Vos has served during a tumultuous time in Wisconsin politics, in which the swing state became a national leader in curbing union powers, was a key battleground in presidential elections and was at the center of redistricting fights over Republican-friendly maps championed by Vos.
To his political opponents, Vos has been a shadow governor who shrewdly used his legislative majority to create a dysfunctional state government focused on advancing the conservative agenda and denying Democrats any victories they could tout.
To his supporters, Vos has been a shrewd tactician who outmaneuvered his political foes, sometimes within his own party, to become one of the state's most influential Republicans in a generation.
Vos also drew President Donald Trump's ire for not aggressively challenging Trump’s loss in the battleground state in 2020.
Official statements
What they're saying:
FOX6 News received the following statements from political leaders.
Gov. Tony Evers:
"The Speaker’s retirement marks the end of an era in Wisconsin politics, and I’m grateful to have served as governor during Speaker Vos’ tenure. Although we’ve disagreed more often than we didn’t, I respect his candor, his ability to navigate complex policies and conversations, and his unrivaled passion for politics.
"I’m also incredibly proud of the bipartisan work we’ve been able to do together these past seven years. We passed the first bipartisan budget in decades last year that made historic investments in our kids and public education. We worked together to find compromise and provide the first increase in state support for our local communities in over a decade. We kept the Brewers in Milwaukee for generations of new Wisconsinites, provided billions in tax relief for middle-class families, made one of the largest investments in affordable housing in state history, and increased key investments for the first time in a generation, from special education to funding to fix our roads and bridges. And those are just some of the highlights.
"I wish the Speaker well in his retirement and hope he and his wife, Michelle, enjoy this new chapter together. Robin’s one-of-a-kind, so I wish whoever becomes the next Assembly Speaker well. They’ll no doubt have their work cut out for them. Being in public service is challenging and can be thankless work, most especially when you’re responsible for getting things done. I understand that better than most. For your sacrifices and your service over the years, thank you, Mr. Speaker."
State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine):
"Robin has been one of my best friends for 25 years. When I was at one of my lowest points following the on-duty accident that ended my law enforcement career, Robin was one of the handful of people who picked me up and put me on the path to elected service. For that, I am eternally grateful.
"I love Robin like a brother. Sometimes, I just want to slap him, and sometimes give him a hug. And I know he feels the same about me. We didn’t always agree, but we always were able to hear each other out and generally find common ground. He understands that it’s okay to disagree, and not take it personally. Whether he fought with the governor (and he fought with Governors Walker and Doyle, too), President Trump, Democrats or Republicans he fought with
passion, vigor and always fairly and he did it for Wisconsin.
"I have spent most of the last 25 years serving alongside Robin in public service. His guidance and mentorship on the County Board and in the Legislature helped me become the legislator I am today.
"Thank you, Robin, for everything."
State Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam):
"Speaker Vos has dedicated years of service to the people of Wisconsin, and our state is stronger because of his leadership. I want to sincerely thank Robin for his commitment to advance policies that promote fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and opportunity for Wisconsin families.
"I am personally grateful for the trust Speaker Vos placed in me to serve as Co-Chair for the Joint Committee on Finance, but also for his friendship and mentorship over the years. He has been a trusted leader and someone I have been proud to work alongside.
"Robin’s steady leadership has helped shape the direction of our state for more than a decade. I wish him and his family all the best in the next chapter."
Devin Remiker, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair:
"Vos leaves behind a legacy of a state government he tried his best to make dysfunctional and leave working people with higher costs and fewer rights. He spent his career shoveling dirt on the grave of the American Dream to do the bidding of the most wealthy and powerful.
"History will not remember him as the giant in lifted heels he sees himself as. It will remember him as a little man who was only remarkable for his gift of still managing to punch down despite his own smallness."
Brian Schimming, Republican Party of Wisconsin chair:
"Speaker Robin Vos has been influential to Republican politics for decades. We thank him for his tireless service and dedication to Republican successes. As speaker, Vos was dedicated to the people of Wisconsin and doing the best thing for our state, while keeping a Republican majority, and we look forward to continuing that success for years to come."
The Source: FOX6 News was in Madison on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed to this report.