State Senator Robert Cowles retires after 42 years in legislature

GREEN BAY, WI – (WISS & WGBW) – After 42 years serving residents of Wisconsin, Republican Sen. Robert Cowles, has decided to retire.

Cowles was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1982 and resigned in 1987 when he won a special election to the Senate. 

Cowles currently represents Senate District 2. When the maps were redrawn he was moved into Senate District 30 along with fellow Republican incumbent Senators Eric Wimberger and Andre Jacque. Cowles did not mention the redistricting in his press release announcing his retirement.

Meanwhile, Wimberger has said he will move to Senate District 2 to run there.  Jacque is running for the 8th Congressional District this fall and currently represents Senate District 1. Jamie Wall, a Democrat from Green Bay, is the only candidate who has officially announced his run for the newly drawn Senate District 30.

Press Release:

Sen. Cowles: Sends his thanks to northeast Wisconsin 

GREEN BAY – Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) released the following statement announcing that he will not seek reelection to the Wisconsin State Senate:

“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided not to seek reelection to the Wisconsin State Senate.

“Many of the amazing individuals that I’ve collaborated with do their work in the background. I want to thank some of these great people who I’ve had the privilege of working with during my time in the Legislature.

“First, our state government truly wouldn’t function properly without the dedicated nonpartisan staff serving the Legislature, including Joe Chrisman and his team at the Legislative Audit Bureau, Anne Sappenfield and her team at the Legislative Council, Bob Lang and his team at the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Rick Champagne and his team at the Legislative Reference Bureau, and everyone in the Chief Clerk’s Office, Sergeants’ Office, Human Resources Office, and Technical Services Bureau. Thank you to these people who helped me do my job better. 

“Second, few people have the chance to get to know the elected officials representing Wisconsinites at the state and local level on a professional and personal level like I have over the years. Despite policy disagreements at times, I’ve met some outstanding individuals who serve their constituents with honor and respect. I wish my colleagues all the best in their efforts to serve the people of Wisconsin in the coming sessions.

“Third, my staff, past and present, have been dedicated to helping advance my work and assist the people of Northeast Wisconsin. I’ve been grateful to have these individuals willing to work in my office, and I want to wish them all the best as they go forward in their careers.

“Last but certainly not least, the people of Northeast Wisconsin have been endlessly kind to me. From entrusting me with an amazing responsibility to serve them, the civility they’ve largely showed even in disagreement, and the countless times I’ve been welcomed into events, meetings and tours, I’ve met so many exceptional people that always reminded me what the work of a legislator is truly all about. Thank you for this privilege!

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve had to meet people in the State Capitol and throughout Wisconsin who share my love for the state we call home. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who wakes up every day working to make our great state an even better place.”