State Sen. Bob Welch, R-Redgranite, officially resigned from the Senate Friday to become Chief Operating Officer of media production company Discover Mediaworks.
Welch said the decision to join Discover Mediaworks would grant him more time with his family while allowing him to promote Wisconsin in a different venue.
“The people of Central Wisconsin elected me 20 years ago, and it has been an honor and privilege to serve them,” Welch said in a statement. “Now I am beginning a different chapter of my life, and I begin it enriched with the memories and pride that go along with having enjoyed the honor of representing my friends and neighbors over the past two decades.”
Welch, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, has long been considered one of the legislature’s truest fiscal conservatives. He was among the leaders in reforming Wisconsin’s welfare system and recently authored legislation calling for a freeze on the state’s property taxes.
Mark Rose, CEO of Discover Mediaworks, said in a statement Welch’s addition is a “tremendous coup” for the Milwaukee-based company, which specializes in corporate videos and commercials. The company also produces the television series “Discover Wisconsin,” “Into the Outdoors” and “Kitchens of Biró.”
The move caps a 20-year career in the state legislature for Welch. He was first elected to the state Assembly in 1984 and was later elected to the state Senate in a special election in 1995.
Most recently, Welch vied for Democrat Russ Feingold’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Welch’s run met an abrupt end in the September Republican primary, however, when he finished third behind winner Tim Michels and Russ Darrow.
Welch did not seek re-election this year, instead focusing exclusively on his run for the U.S. Senate. State Rep. Luther Olsen, R-Berlin, who ran unopposed in the November election for Welch’s seat, will represent the 14th Senate District when the legislature returns to session in January.
Welch said his decision to join Discover Mediaworks was recent.
“They just popped up in the last few weeks,” Welch said.
Welch’s resignation is the latest in a series of moves leaving the Senate’s leadership bearing little to no resemblance to last session.
Accused of being too moderate, former Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, in the September primary. Senate Republicans later nominated Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, to take over Panzer’s leadership role.
Senate Minority Leader Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, stepped down from his leadership position last week, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and focus on his district. Erpenbach spokesperson Julie Laundrie said Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar; Sen. Judith Robson, D-Beloit, and Sen. Russell Decker, D-Schofield, have all expressed interest in succeeding Erpenbach.
“It was a challenging session and an exhausting job,” Laundrie said of Erpenbach’s decision to step down. “The Senate certainly has a different face than last session.”