Wisconsin GOP leader Robin Vos, who clashed with Trump, leaving office after reshaping the state

Wisconsin’s Longest-Serving Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Announces Retirement

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a dominant force in state Republican politics for more than a decade, announced Thursday that he will retire at the end of the year, concluding his record 14-year tenure as speaker and 22 years in the legislature.

Speaking from the Assembly floor, Vos revealed his decision to step away from a position that has made him one of the most influential Republicans in Wisconsin’s recent political history. His announcement marks the end of a consequential era in Wisconsin politics that saw major conservative policy victories alongside fierce partisan battles.

“I’ve been tenacious and I’ve fought for what our caucus wants,” Vos told lawmakers in his announcement. Later, in an interview with The Associated Press, he acknowledged Democrats would likely celebrate his departure, but had a message for critics within his own party: “You’re going to miss me.”

Vos rose to power during a transformative period in Wisconsin politics. Working closely with former Republican Governor Scott Walker, he helped shepherd the controversial 2011 Act 10 legislation that effectively ended collective bargaining for most public workers, fundamentally altering the state’s labor landscape. His leadership was instrumental in passing voter ID requirements, tax cuts, and “right to work” laws that reshaped Wisconsin’s political and economic framework.

After Democrat Tony Evers defeated Walker in 2018, Vos emerged as the Republican Party’s de facto leader in state government. Before Evers could take office, Vos orchestrated a lame-duck session to pass legislation limiting the new governor’s powers. Throughout Evers’ administration, Vos consistently blocked the governor’s agenda, ignored special sessions called by Evers, and successfully fought to constrain his authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vos led the lawsuit that resulted in Wisconsin becoming the first state where courts invalidated a governor’s coronavirus restrictions, a victory for Republicans who opposed pandemic-related mandates. This combative approach to divided government helped cement Vos’ reputation among supporters as a shrewd tactician who effectively advanced conservative priorities despite Democratic control of the governor’s office.

However, Vos’ relationship with fellow Republicans wasn’t without conflict. His most notable intra-party dispute came with former President Donald Trump, who criticized Vos for not doing enough to investigate claims of fraud in Wisconsin’s 2020 presidential election. Though Vos eventually hired former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to conduct an investigation, he later fired him amid bipartisan criticism over Gableman’s promotion of conspiracy theories without evidence of widespread fraud.

Vos has since called the hiring of Gableman his “biggest mistake” and is advocating for the revocation of Gableman’s law license. The episode prompted Trump to endorse Vos’ primary challenger in 2022, though Vos survived the challenge and subsequent recall attempts, dismissing those targeting him as “whack jobs and morons.”

Under Vos’ leadership, Republicans maintained a strong Assembly majority thanks to favorable district maps until the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered new boundaries in 2023. The redrawn maps contributed to Democratic gains in the last election, reducing the Republican advantage from as many as 64 seats during Vos’ tenure to 54 in what will be his final year.

Democrats now see potential to gain majority control in the upcoming election, though Vos expressed confidence Republicans would maintain power even after his departure. The changing electoral landscape reflects broader shifts in Wisconsin’s political environment as the swing state continues to be a crucial battleground in national elections.

Vos, 57, revealed he suffered a mild heart attack in November that he hadn’t previously disclosed publicly. While he described it as “the tap on the shoulder that I needed” to confirm his decision to retire, he insisted it wasn’t the primary reason for his departure. When asked about his future plans, he said another run for office was “unlikely” but didn’t completely rule it out.

Governor Evers, despite their contentious relationship, acknowledged Vos’ impact, saying his retirement “marks the end of an era in Wisconsin politics.” He added, “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.”

Even Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, who served with Vos in the legislature and maintained a friendship despite their political differences, called him a “formidable opponent” and “probably the most intelligent and strategic Assembly speaker I have seen.”

As Wisconsin prepares for its political future without Vos at the helm of the Assembly, his legacy as a conservative champion who dramatically reshaped the state’s political landscape will continue to influence Wisconsin politics for years to come.