(The Center Square) – The list of Wisconsin lawmakers who are not running again continues to grow.
Two more Republicans recently announced plans to step away from the Wisconsin Capitol.
State Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac, called it quits.
“Serving as your Assembly Representative has been more rewarding than I could have imagined,” O’Connor said. “While I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing personal interests, I remain committed to completing my term through the end of the year and focusing on the work I was elected to do,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor served just two terms.
Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, announced his retirement after 12 years in the Assembly.
“While I am stepping away from office, I still care deeply about the future of Wisconsin,” Brooks said. “Strong leadership in Madison matters, and it is important that we continue to elect people who understand our communities and are willing to stand up for them,” Brooks said.
Brooks and O’Conner join other Republicans like Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, and Sen, Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, in retiring this year.
In all, nine state lawmakers have announced that they will not run again in November.
Some of the retirements, like in Vos and LeMahieu’s districts, will likely not end with a Democrat replacing a Republican. But that’s the case for every retiring Republican.
Hutton’s decision not to run has touched off what could be the most intense race in the state legislature this year.
Pewaukee doctor Mike Roberts is running against Democratic state Rep. Robyn Vinning, D-Wauwatosa.
Roberts has said his race is the key for Republicans to hold the Senate majority.
There will also be a crucial race in Racine.
Longtime Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, last month announced that he won’t run for re-election. He said he is stepping away from the Capitol to spend more time with his family.
Democrats partially redraw Wanggaard’s district in 2022 and see his seat as a possible pick-up.
Candidates for state legislative seats can begin to gather signatures in their races next week.
