(The Center Square) – Wisconsin state Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, announced Monday he will be running for reelection in the 17th Senate District.
Marklein is a co-chair of the state’s Joint Finance Committee and his announcement comes after a flurry of Republicans announced that they would not run again, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu.
“I am running again to keep investing in our shared priorities, protect Wisconsin’s checkbook, continue working across the aisle to solve problems, and move Wisconsin forward,” Marklein said in a statement.
Others who won’t be running include Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac, Sen, Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine.
The State Senate Democratic Committee pointed to the recent state Supreme Court race, when Judge Chris Taylor won all of the counties in Marklein’s district.
“Sen. Marklein talks about investments in our schools, investments in hospitals, in our healthcare system — ignoring the fact that while he’s been in office, schools in his district have closed their doors, hospitals in his district have closed their doors, and health care costs have skyrocketed,” State Senate Democratic Committee Communications Director Will Karcz said in a statement. “Sen. Marklein sat back and did nothing as veterans’ housing facilities in Eau Claire and Green Bay closed their doors. When he could have acted.
“The people of Wisconsin’s 17th Senate district deserve better than the failed leadership Howard has brought to Madison. This November, they will reject the failures of Howard Marklein and elect Jenna Jacobson as the new State Senator in Southwestern Wisconsin.”
Marklein pointed to the nearly 20 bills he authored that have been signed into law and nearly 100 that he co-authored.
“We have made a lot of progress, but there is more work to do. I am running again to keep investing in our shared priorities, protect Wisconsin’s checkbook, continue working across the aisle to solve problems, and move Wisconsin forward,” Marklein said.
