Robert Wirch


Robert W. Wirch is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 22nd district since 1997. He previously served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1993 through 1997.

Early life, education and career

Wirch was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin and graduated from Bradford High School. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside in 1970 and served in the United States Army Reserve from 1965 to 1971. He served as a member of the Board of Supervisors for Kenosha County from 1986 to 1994.

Wisconsin legislature

In 1992, Wirch was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and was re-elected in 1994. In 1996, Wirch chose to run for Wisconsin Senate in the seat vacated by retiring senator Joseph F. Andrea. Wirch was elected to the Senate in 1996 and has been reelected six times, including his 2004 victory over future White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and his 2011 victory against a recall attempt. He served as the Democratic Minority Caucus Chairperson from 2003 to 2005.

2011 Wisconsin protests

On February 20, 2011, it was reported that Wirch, along with 13 other Democratic Wisconsin State Senators, had left the state, allegedly to deny the State Senate a quorum on Governor Scott Walker's Budget Repair legislation. The Budget Repair bill later passed.

2011 recall attempt

On February 24, 2011, Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch officially registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board as a result of the 2011 Wisconsin protests. 13,537 valid signatures of electors residing within the 22nd District had to be collected by April 25, 2011 to generate a recall election.
On April 21, Taxpayers to Recall Robert Wirch filed 18,300 signatures with Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board. On August 16, 2011, Wirch won 57% of the vote in a recall election, defeating Republican Jonathan Steitz.

Personal life

Wirch resides in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
Mary, his wife of 47 years, passed on February 23, 2020 from complications related to gall bladder cancer. They have a son, David, and a daughter, Julia.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1992-1994)

Wisconsin Senate (1996-2016)