Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu of Oostburg has announced his intentions to step down at the end of his current term. The announcement came on Thursday after speculation had circulated for several days. LeMahieu has served in the Senate since 2015 and served as Majority Leader since 2020. Before that, LeMahieu served nine years on the Sheboygan County Board.
In his statement, LeMahieu said that “After careful reflection and prayer, I have made the difficult decision to not seek re-election.” He continued: “Serving in the State Senate has been the privilege of a lifetime, and I’m proud of our accomplishments. The REINS Act has become model legislation in statehouses across the country and since 2020 we’ve enacted the two largest income tax cuts in state history, despite divided government.”
According to Ballotpedia, the REINS act, or Wisconsin Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, requires state legislative authorization of administrative rules that carry compliance and implementation costs of $10 or more over a two year period. It was introduced by LeMahieu in January of 2017 along with eight other Republican Senators, and took effect in August of that year.
LeMahieu said that it was time for a new chapter in his life, and that he was looking forward to spending more time with family in their Madison-area home, and will continue “rooting for bold conservative reform from the sidelines.”
He concluded his statement by thanking the people of Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet and Fond du Lac Counties for the trust placed in him as their State Senator; to the countless colleagues and staff he’s worked with, and “…a special thank you to my mom for her tireless support knocking doors and walking in parades.”
The next election for the seat of District 9 Senator is a primary scheduled for August 11, 2026. A general election follows on November 3rd.
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