WC Wisconsin News

State Rep. Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) won't seek re-election, he announced.

"One of the best parts of serving in the Assembly was the incredibly smart and talented staff that I’ve been able to work with," the majority leader tweeted. “From beginning to end, I’ve had the best staff in the Capitol, which made this decision difficult."

The legislator was first elected to the assembly in 2010 and became majority leader four years later, a position he held for four terms, Steineke said in a news release.

“As I refocus my efforts on returning to the private sector in the weeks and months ahead, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to advance conservative policies and serve as a check against the governor and his administration to prevent extreme ideologies from being enacted," Steineke said in a statement. “Serving as an elected representative has been one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. However, I firmly believe the time has come to pass the torch and allow for others in our community to step forward and serve their neighbors.”

He cited right-to-work legislation, expanded access to mental health care for children and fighting homelessness as among his legislative accomplishments.

“Through bold, conservative leadership, we’ve been able to accomplish so much," he said. "From reforming government to work smarter and more efficiently, to turning our state’s bleak budget picture around into continuous surpluses, I’m extremely proud of the results legislative Republicans have been able to deliver over the past decade.”