Prominent GOP Assembly Member John Nygren Stepping Down

State Rep. John Nygren, a prominent Republican who co-chairs the Legislature’s powerful budget committee, announced Tuesday that he is resigning.

In a press release, Nygren, of Marinette, said that he would leave the Legislature effective Wednesday. He has served in the Assembly since 2007.

The release said Nygren’s resignation will, “allow him to pursue career opportunities in the private sector.”

“While the timing will never be perfect, our work over the last 14years has left northeast Wisconsin and our entire state in a better position,” Nygren wrote. “Serving the people of the 89th Assembly District has been the honor of a lifetime.”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos released a statement saying the Legislature, “is losing a strong, fiscal conservative leader.” Vos also praised Nygren’s work on legislation related to the opioid crisis in Wisconsin and said he, “is leaving a legacy of balanced budgets, smaller government and lower taxes.”

Nygren’s departure leaves the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee with entirely new leadership for the first time in years. State Senate leadership recently replaced the committee’s other co-chair, Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, with Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green.