MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For more than four years, the leaders in the Assembly for both parties have been from Northeast Wisconsin, but that soon will no longer be the case for either party.
While each says it has been beneficial to the area, they admit leadership roles can mean less time spent in the home district.
After 12 years in office, Republican State Rep. Jim Steineke, of Kaukauna, says it’s time to head back to the private sector.
“I think it’s just time for somebody new to pop up and take the reins while I go back to the private sector.”
The decision means state Republicans will need to find a new leader for the Assembly, a position Steineke has held since 2014.
“So much representation in the Capitol is from our cities, specifically in Southeastern Wisconsin. Having somebody up in Northeast Wisconsin highlighting out issues I think is critically important.”
Steineke will be in the role the rest of his term.
His announcement comes a month after Democratic State Rep. Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh announced he’d be stepping down as Assembly Minority Leader, which took effect Jan. 10.
“I never stopped working for my district, but leadership is definitely a different ballgame in terms of your time and working in Madison,” said Hintz.
Hintz says his decision was made with family in mind. He says his leadership position provided a platform for his district, but it also kept him away more than he’d like.
“It’s a balancing act because you don’t have any less work than you had when you’re a rank and file member. You have a lot more, but you have to continue to do those things.”
Both Hintz and Steineke believe Northeast Wisconsin will still be well represented, even if it is with less representation in leadership.
“This is an important part of the state economically and certainly politically,” said Hintz.
“We’re lucky that we have really good representation throughout Northeast Wisconsin,” said Steineke.
Steineke, who has maintained a real estate business, says he isn’t sure what he’ll do next but it likely won’t be in politics or real estate.
Hintz says he is still deciding whether to run again for his Assembly position.
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