WI Assembly Majority Leader Announces Early Resignation

KAUKAUNA, WI — Wisconsin Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, a Republican, announced Monday he will retire from the state Assembly on July 27.

Steineke, who had already announced he won't seek re-election in January, said he is leaving public office to pursue interests in the private sector "now that it is clear that there will likely be no further legislative sessions."

Steineke's position as majority leader is the second-ranking position in Wisconsin Assembly, just below the speaker. Steineke said he was honored to represent the 5th District.

Steineke's premature leave from the Wisconsin legislature comes as a record number of his Republican colleagues are also retiring, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

Steineke's statement on the lack of legislative sessions comes just weeks after republicans gaveled in and out of a special legislative session called by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to confront Wisconsin's 173-year-old abortion law. Wisconsin's 2022 legislative session has since ended.

Steineke's office will remain open and staffed for constituent relations and can be contacted at 608-266-2418, according to the news release.