Two GOP Reps Vying For Departing Majority Leader’s Spot

Assembly Republican Majority Leader Scott Suder announced yesterday that he’s leaving the legislature for a job at the Public Service Commission. There are now two GOP lawmakers campaigning to replace him.

Suder got his start in the State Assembly as a legislative aid in the mid ’90s. He was elected a state representative in 1998 and ascended to majority leader at the start of the tumultuous 2011 legislative session.

Suder says whoever replaces him can expect an interesting job where they work directly with the Assembly Speaker, Senate leaders and the Governor.

But, Suder says, the Assembly Majority Leader does not set the agenda – at least not in the way those other leaders do. “It’s more of a role of managing. Making sure the trains run on time. Sometimes people call it herding cats, and we have 59 or 60 cats to herd. It really is making sure people are aware of what’s going on. You’re answering their questions and you’re managing your caucus.”

The two Republicans running to replace Suder come from different parts of the state and have different backgrounds. Rep. Dean Knudson runs a veterinary clinic and was the mayor of Hudson before he joined the legislature. He’s also a member of the legislature’s budget committee: “I’ve got a variety of leadership experiences that I’ll be able to put to work on behalf of our caucus.”

Also running is Speaker pro tem Bill Kramer of Waukesha, an attorney and financial planner. Kramer did not return a call yesterday. As temporary speaker, he oversaw the marathon debate over the contentious Act 10 last session.