Romaine Quinn

Romaine Quinn
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 25th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJanet Bewley
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 75th district
In office
January 3, 2015 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byStephen J. Smith
Succeeded byDavid Armstrong
Mayor of Rice Lake
In office
2010–2012
Preceded byDaniel Fitzgerald
Succeeded bySteve Harrington
Personal details
Born (1990-07-30) July 30, 1990
Rice Lake, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRachel
Children2
Residence(s)Cameron, Barron County, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Eau Claire – Barron County
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (BA)
WebsiteOfficial website
Campaign website

Romaine Robert Quinn (born July 30, 1990) is an American Republican politician from Rice Lake, Wisconsin. He is member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 25th Senate district since January 2023. He was previously mayor of Rice Lake and served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly (2015–2021) representing the 75th Assembly district.

Early life and education

Quinn was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin on July 30, 1990. During his childhood, he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and later graduated from Rice Lake High School in 2009.[1][2] Following his graduation he began attending University of Wisconsin–Barron County.[3] In 2012, Quinn began attending the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, where he received his bachelor's degree in political science and public leadership in May 2014. During his time in college Quinn was a coca-cola salesman.[1]

Political career

During Quinn's senior year of high school he was elected to the Rice Lake City Council for a single term, serving from 2009–2010.[1] In 2010, Quinn became the youngest mayor for the city when he was elected at 19 years old, defeating incumbent mayor Daniel Fitzgerald.[3] In 2012 Quinn declined to seek re-election as mayor as he would be attending the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay to pursue a bachelor's degree. Shortly after graduating in 2014, Quinn lauched a campaign for state assembly, challenging incumbent Democrat Stephen J. Smith.[4] Quinn defeated Smith by a 9 point margin.[5]

In 2015, Quinn, alongside representative Bob Gannon, co-sponsored an amendment to the state constitution to institute term-limits.[6] From 2017–2019, Quinn was the Assembly majority caucus vice chair for the Republican Party.[1] Quinn was re-elected in 2016 and 2018 with 62% of the vote each time. In March 2020, Quinn announced he would not run for re-election to the Wisconsin State Assembly.[7]

In 2019, following the resignation of U.S. Representative Sean Duffy, Quinn expressed interest in running in the special election for this seat, but later declined to run, endorsing state senator Tom Tiffany in the primary election.[8][9]

After his service in the state assembly Quinn became a liscensed realtor.[10]

In October 2021 Quinn announced a campaign for Wisconsin's 25th senate district, then held by Democrat Janet Bewley.[11] During the campaign, Quinn expressed support for using the budget surplus to cut taxes in the state.[12] The race also came into focus as it would determine whether Republicans would enter the 106th Wisconsin Legislature with a supermajority in the state senate.[12] Additionally, Quinn outraised his opponent, Kelly Westlund, by around $140,000.[13] On election day, Quinn defeated Westlund by a 14 point margin, securing Republicans a veto-proof majority in the state senate going into the 106th legislature.[14]

Quinn took office on January 3, 2023.

In 2024, Quinn and fellow Republican Treig Pronschinske authored legislation that would have removed the ability of local governments to enact certain regulations for animal welfare on farms.[15]

In 2025, Quinn and fellow Republican Chanz Green authored legislation which would remove restrictions on Superior Water & Light Company from utilizing funds for replacing lead service lines used in the city of Superior, Wisconsin.[16] The bill was signed into law by governor Tony Evers.[17]

Personal life

Quinn resides in Birchwood, Wisconsin with his wife Rachel and their two kids.[2]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (2014–2018)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2014 Primary[18] Aug. 12 Romaine Robert Quinn Republican 2,231 54.86% Ken Mandley Rep. 1,208 35.11% 3,441 1,023
General[19] Nov. 4 Romaine Robert Quinn Republican 11,730 97.06% Stephen Smith (inc) Dem. 9,643 45.10% 21,382 2,087
2016 General[20] Nov. 8 Romaine Robert Quinn (inc) Republican 17,786 62.00% Joe Huftel Dem. 10,894 37.97% 28,689 6,892
2018 General[21] Nov. 6 Romaine Robert Quinn (inc) Republican 14,925 62.18% Ali Holzman Dem. 9,078 37.82% 24,004 5,847

Wisconsin Senate (2022)

Year Election Date Elected Defeated Total Plurality
2022 General[22] Nov. 8 Romaine Robert Quinn Republican 47,293 56.99% Kelly Westlund Dem. 35,652 42.96% 82,984 11,641

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Senator Romaine Robert Quinn". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Romaine's Biography". Romaine Quinn - State Senator (Wisconsin Legislature). Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Rice Lake elects 19 year old mayor". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 7, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Kremer, Rich (October 20, 204). "In Northwestern Wisconsin Assembly Race, One-Term Incumbent Faces 24-Year-Old Mayor". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Marley, Patrick (November 6, 2014). "GOP increases its majorities in Wisconsin Legislature". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  6. ^ "Two GOP lawmakers propose term limits; hunter killed by stray bullet; Arcadia mayor recalled; more Wisconsin news stories". Republican Eagle. November 25, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "Quinn won't seek reelection to northern Wisconsin Assembly seat". WisPolitics. March 16, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  8. ^ Schulte, Laura (August 30, 2019). "Sean Duffy's resignation leaves Democrats optimistic in strongly Republican 7th District". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "Quinn Is Out, Endorses Tiffany For Congress". Dryden Wire. September 11, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "4 Question Friday: Real Estate Solutions Agent, Romaine Quinn". Dryden Wire. October 13, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "Former Rep. Romaine Quinn to run for state senate, District 25". Spooner Advocate - APG Media. October 12, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Spears, Baylor (October 26, 2022). "Twelve competitive legislative races could determine whether Republicans win a supermajority". Wisconsin Examiner. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "Republican Quinn outraising Democrat Westlund in NW Wisconsin Senate seat vital to control of state government". The Badger Project. November 4, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "Democratic victories block Republican supermajority in the Wisconsin Assembly". PBS Wisconsin. November 9, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  15. ^ Kaeding, Danielle (March 6, 2024). "GOP bill aims to limit local regulation of farms, animal welfare". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "Quinn and Green propose bill for Superior lead pipe replacement funding". Northwoods Reporter. February 24, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  17. ^ Kaeding, Danielle (July 9, 2025). "New law, last-minute deal may help Superior residents replace lead pipes". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  18. ^ Canvass Results for 2014 Fall Partisan Primary - 8/12/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 29, 2014. p. 45. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  19. ^ Canvass Results for 2014 General Election - 11/4/2014 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Government Accountability Board. November 26, 2014. p. 25. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Wisconsin Elections Commission.
  20. ^ Canvass Results for 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 22, 2016. pp. 25–26. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  21. ^ Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 27. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  22. ^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 7. Retrieved July 9, 2025.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.