Robin Vos, Victorious. Again.

Monday, January 6, 2025

In the last few years, a primary challenge, two recalls, a third party candidate and a much publicized coup all fizzled.

Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, secured another term as the Speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly today with a vote of 52-44, despite two GOP colleagues abstaining.

Freshman Rep. Lindee Brill of Sheboygan Falls and Rep. Chuck Wichgers of Muskego did not cast votes in the election. One Democrat, freshman Rep. Karen Kirsch from Greenfield, was absent during the roll call. The vote otherwise followed party lines, with members choosing between Vos and Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine.

This election comes two years after Vos’s last reelection, where four Republicans also abstained.

In the recent leadership contest within the GOP caucus, Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha challenged Vos for the speakership. However today Allen supported Vos.

Last year, Vos faced two unsuccessful recall attempts by critics who accused him of not supporting the impeachment of Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe.

Prior to today’s vote, opponents of Vos held a rally at noon to protest his reelection. However, despite the rally being widely publicized on social media by Vos’ critics, the turnout was low, with less than a dozen people present at the Capitol to distribute anti-Vos literature–echoing the remarkable lack of success seen in the recall efforts.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos still stands as one of the most prominent and influential Republicans in Wisconsin, orchestrating the legislative agenda around conservative priorities and managing committee assignments. First elected to the Assembly in 2004, Vos hails from Burlington and is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he notably served as a student representative on the UW Board of Regents.

Before his tenure in the Assembly, Vos worked his way up in grassroots politics and policy circles, earning experience as a legislative assistant for Representative Jim Ladwig and his successor, his wife, former State Rep. Bonnie Ladwig. He later served as the first district director for former Congressman Mark Neumann of Janesville, and then as a member of the Racine County Board.

As Speaker, Vos holds significant sway over the Assembly’s operations. Through the Assembly Rules Committee, he decides which bills reach the floor for debate. He also assigns lawmakers to committees, and makes crucial staffing and budgetary decisions for the chamber. Additionally, as the presiding officer, Vos manages the flow of debate, with all speeches from members directed towards him.

Vos has etched his name in state history as the longest-serving Assembly Speaker, having first been elected to this position by his peers in 2013, marking him as the 75th individual to serve in this capacity in Wisconsin.

Other Assembly leadership positions filled today include: