GOP Caucus Leadership Elections Alert

Assembly Republicans Caucus

Assembly Republicans caucused today to vote on leadership as they head into the new legislative session. Following the adjournment of last session, Assembly Republican Leadership was certain to have at least 4 changes for the 2023-2024 session.

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At their caucus today, Republicans elected the following to Assembly Leadership for the 2023-2024 session:

Speaker of the Assembly – Robin Vos (R-Rochester / 63rd AD)

Picture of Representative Robin VosRobin Vos (R-Rochester) has been the speaker of the Assembly since 2013, the longest serving speaker in Wisconsin history. Speaker Vos was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2004 and served as the Assembly Chair for the Joint Finance Committee prior to being elected speaker. In addition to working as a legislator, Speaker Vos owns several small businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Majority Leader – Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva / 32nd AD)

Picture of Representative Tyler AugustTyler August (R-Lake Geneva) was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010, and is currently serving his sixth term. Before joining the Legislature, Rep. August worked as former State Rep. Tom Lothian’s chief of staff. Rep. August has served as the Speaker Pro Tempore since 2013. He now moves up to majority leader, a position vacated by former State Rep. Jim Steineke when he decided to retire from the Legislature. Rep. August’s legislator page can be viewed here.

Speaker Pro Tempore – Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca / 40th AD)

Picture of Representative Kevin PetersenKevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) was first elected to the Assembly in 2006. He is currently in his 8th term and has served as Assistant Majority Leader since 2021. Petersen served in the U.S. Navy veteran from 1983 until 2008. He also served as a Town of Dayton supervisor from 2001 to 2007. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Assistant Majority Leader – Jon Plumer (R-Lodi / 42nd AD)

Picture of Representative Jon PlumerJon Plumer (R-Lodi) was first elected to the Assembly in 2018. Plumber retired after 30 years of service as a route salesman for Kraft Foods. Currently, he owns and operates seven statewide locations of a martial arts schools. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Rep. Plumber served as the Chair of the Committee on Transportation. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Caucus Chair – Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer / 67th AD)

Picture of Representative Rob SummerfieldRob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) was first elected to the Assembly in 2016. For the past 15 years, Rep. Summerfield has helped operate the family business, Two Acres Supper Club. He is also co-owner of Chippewa Valley Land Title. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Rep. Summerfield served as the Chair of the Committee on Housing and Real Estate, as well as Chair of the Committee on Science, Technology and Broadband. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Caucus Vice Chair – Cindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield / 99th AD)

Picture of Representative Cindi DuchowCindi Duchow (R-Town of Delafield) was first elected to the Assembly in 2015. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rep. Duchow worked in management and as a Fashion Specialist for several national retailers. Rep. Duchow has also served on the Town of Delafield Board of Supervisors since 2012. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Rep. Duchow served as the Chair of the Committee on Financial Institutions. Her legislator page can be viewed here.

Secretary – Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah / 70th AD)

Picture of Representative Nancy VanderMeerNancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) was first elected to the Assembly in 2014. Rep. VanderMeer and her family owned and operated VanderMeer Motor Company for over 38 years in Tomah. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, she served as the Chair of the Committee on Rural Development. Her legislator page can be viewed here.

Sergeant at Arms – Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi / 92nd AD)

Picture of Representative Treig E. PronschinskeTreig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi) was first elected to the Assembly in 2016 and is currently serving in his third term. Alongside serving as the State Representative of the 92nd Assembly District, he has owned and operated a small business as a general construction contractor. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, he served as the Chair of the Committee on Sporting Heritage. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Senate Republicans Caucus

Senate Republicans caucused today to vote on leadership as they head into the new legislative session. Following the adjournment of last session, Senate Republican Leadership was certain to have at least 1 change for the 2023-2024 session with Senator Kathy Bernier, who served as Vice Chair, not seeking re-election.

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At their caucus today, Republicans elected the following to Senate Leadership for the 2023-2024 Session:

Senate President – Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield / 33rd SD)

Picture of Senator Chris KapengaChris Kapenga (R-Delafield) was first elected to the Senate in 2015. Prior to that he served one term in the Assembly from 2010-2012. He has served as president of the Wisconsin State Senate since 2020. In addition to serving as an elected official, Sen. Kapenga is a business owner and certified public accountant. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Majority Leader – Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg / 9th SD)

Picture of Senator Devin LeMahieuDevin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) was first elected to the Senate in 2014. He has served as majority leader of the Wisconsin State Senate since 2021. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Sen. LeMahieu served as a supervisor on the Sheboygan County Board from 2006–2015. He is the publisher and owner of Lakeshore Weekly, a community shopper publication. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Sen. LeMahieu served as Chair of the Committee on Senate Organization. His legislator page can be viewed here.

President Pro Tempore – Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point / 24th SD)

Picture of Senator Patrick TestinPatrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) was first elected to the Senate in 2016. He has served as president pro tempore since 2021. Prior to to that, he served as the majority caucus vice chair. In addition to legislating, Sen. Testin works for a local wine distributor. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Sen. Testin served as Chair of the Committee on Health. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Assistant Majority Leader – Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac / 18th SD)

Picture of Senator Dan FeyenDan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) was first elected to the Senate in 2016. He has served as assistant majority leader since 2019. Following graduation from Fox Valley Technical College, Sen. Feyen obtained a job at a printing company in Fond du Lac and recently retired as the Press/Bindery Coordinator after 29 years at the same company. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Sen. Feyen served as Chair of the Committee on Economic and Workforce Development. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Caucus Chair – Van Wanggaard (R-Racine / 21st SD)

Picture of Senator Van H. WanggaardVan Wanggaard was first elected to the Senate in 2010. He has served as majority caucus chair since 2017. Prior to that, he served one term as the majority caucus vice chair. Sen. Wanggaard is a retired traffic investigator with the Racine Police Department. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Sen. Wanggaard served as Chair of the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. His legislator page can be viewed here.

Caucus Vice Chair – Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan / 14th SD)

Picture of Senator Joan BallwegJoan Ballweg (R-Markesan) was first elected to the Senate in 2020. Her public service began in Markesan, where she served as alderperson on the Markesan City Council for 4 years, and then served as mayor for another 6 years. Later, she sat on the Waupun Memorial Hospital Board of Directors and was Chair from 2002-2004. From 2003-2004, she also served on the management committee of Agnesian HealthCare Enterprises. Most recently, Sen. Ballweg served as the state representative for the 41st Assembly District from 2004 through 2020. During the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, Sen. Ballweg served as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Tourism. Her legislator page can be viewed here.

Democratic Caucuses

Legislative Democrats plan to caucus on the following days to vote on leadership:

    • Senate Democrats –Tuesday, November 15th
    • Assembly Democrats – Thursday, November 17th
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