Preceded by Don Hanaway Name Robert Cowles Religion Episcopalian | Political party Republican Preceded by Gervase Hephner Party Republican Party | |
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Born July 31, 1950 (age 74)
Green Bay, Wisconsin ( 1950-07-31 ) Education University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Residence Allouez, Wisconsin, United States | ||
Recall Robert Cowles
Robert L. Cowles (born July 31, 1950) is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 2nd District since 1987. In August 2011, Cowles faced a recall election, but defeated the Democratic challenger, Nancy Nusbaum, 60 percent to 40 percent.
Contents
- Recall Robert Cowles
- Signatures submitted to recall republican senator robert cowles from green bay wisconsin
- Early life and education
- Elections
- Recall effort
- Committee assignments
- References
Signatures submitted to recall republican senator robert cowles from green bay wisconsin
Early life and education
Cowles was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 1975. He was formerly a director of an alternative energy division for a communications construction company, but is now a full-time legislator.
Elections
Cowles was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1982 and re-elected until 1986, when he resigned to run for the state senate. He was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in a special election in April 1987. He ran unopposed in 2008.
Cowles supported Walker's budget repair bill, including the section that removed collective bargaining. In July, a businessman alleged that Cowles did not like the bill, but supported it because Walker threatened to run a tea party candidate against him otherwise.
Recall effort
Cowles was subject to a recall effort as part of the 2011 Wisconsin protests. On March 2, 2011, the "Committee to Recall Cowles" registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. On April 28, roughly 26,000 signatures to recall Cowles were filed with the Government Accountability Board. In late May 2011, the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board verified petitions against Cowles, overruling his challenges. The recall election was held on August 9, 2011, with Cowles defeating the Democratic challenger, Nancy Nusbaum, 60 percent to 40 percent.
Committee assignments
Cowles chairs the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Information Technology and sits on the Joint Committee on Audit and the Joint Committee on Finance.