Assembly Speaker Robin Vos just announced that he won’t run for reelection in November. His voice cracking, he revealed that he suffered a minor heart attack in November.
Vos’s looming retirement marks an end of the era. Prized for his abilities to keep the Assembly majority in Republican hands, and with a 92 percent lifetime CPAC rating as a conservative, Vos’s retirement will usher in a major change in state politics. He is the longest serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin political history.
Talk show host and podcaster Mark Belling called Vos, along with Scott Walker, “the most consequential Republican in state government of this century.” Talk show host Jay Weber called Vos “a historically consequential figure in WI and GOP. His right wing critics will miss him when he’s gone. Most will never know how adept and skilled Vos was at making things happen and moving parts of the conservative agenda against long odds.”
WATCH:
“I first met Robin Vos in 1994 when he was a legislative aide,” wrote for talk show host Jeff Wagner. “It was clear from the start that he was destined to be a star. With the possible exception of Scott Walker, I can’t imagine anyone who has had a greater impact on Wisconsin politics than Robin.”
Gov. Tony Evers said, “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.”
More Reactions
State Representative Jerry O’Connor (R- Fond du Lac) released the following statement on Speaker Robin Vos’ announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2026: “First and foremost, I want to thank Robin for his many years of service to our state and the people of Wisconsin. He retires as one of the most consequential political figures in our state’s history. I have worked with Robin for the past four years and I commend him for the leadership and friendship we enjoyed during this time. He has been a force for good in our legislature and he will be missed.”
Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) issued the following statement:
“Speaker Vos’ legacy is unmatched and his mark on the state is permanent.
He led Wisconsin through the most important fiscal turnaround in the state’s history, going from financial chaos to a multi-billion-dollar surplus while bringing taxes to historic lows. Regardless of politics, every Wisconsinite should be appreciative of his dedication to serving the state.
We thank Speaker Vos for his dedication to public service, wish him good health and relaxation in retirement, and look forward to continuing to work closely with the next Speaker of the Assembly.”
Table of Contents
