Rolbiecki announces candidacy to replace Petryk in Assemby

EAU CLAIRE — James Rolbiecki approached State Rep. Warren Petryk, R-town of Washington, two years ago and let him know he would be interested in running for the Legislature whenever Petryk opted to retire. Petryk recalled being impressed by Rolbiecki during that discussion.

“This is an exceptional young man,” Petryk said. “What you see in James is the future of the United States.”

When Petryk made the decision last week to retire, he called Rolbiecki to let him know. He thought Rolbiecki might mull over the idea of running for a few days. He was surprised and pleased that Rolbiecki immediately jumped at the opportunity to run. They talked for more than three hours about the job and what it takes to run.

“I wanted to pick up where (Petryk) left off,” Rolbiecki said. “I look forward to all the people I get to meet in the 93rd. It’s a great honor to have this (opportunity).”

Rolbiecki, 40, announced his candidacy for the 93rd State Assembly District seat Tuesday at the Eau Claire County Republican headquarters. Rolbiecki describes himself as a real estate developer and entrepreneur. He grew up in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School in 2002. He was elected as a town of Washington supervisor in 2023.

“I come from an entrepreneur family. They taught me what work ethic is,” Rolbiecki told a crowd of about 50 people at the candidacy kickoff event. “We need to come together and that’s how I’ve been successful.”

Rolbiecki has three children under the age of eight, and he said funding for education and child care is important to him, but he also wants the state to reduce taxes and be more accountable in spending public dollars.

“We are all feeling the strains of what has happened with inflation,” he said. “I’m a small business guy. We cannot continue to be overtaxed.”

He added that transportation and expanding internet to farming areas are important issues to him.

“I understand these rural needs,” he said.

Rolbiecki is the sole Republican candidate so far. On Monday, local author Nickolas Butler joined Christian Phelps as Democratic candidates for the 93rd Assembly seat; a primary will be held Aug. 13.

Rep. Karen Hurd, R-Thorp, spoke highly of Rolbiecki.

“He is a man of integrity, honesty and common sense,” Hurd told the crowd.

Petryk joked that when he won his Assembly seat in 2010, he had dark hair. He officially announced his retirement Monday morning.

“It has been overwhelming and humbling to hear from you as I step aside,” Petryk said.

The redrawn 93rd Assembly Seat, which covers parts of Eau Claire, is now considered to lean toward Democrats.

“This is going to be a very challenging election,” Petryk said. “Our current governor wants to raise taxes; we stopped him.”

Currently, Republicans hold 64 of the 99 Assembly District seats and 22 of the 33 Senate District seats. The new Legislative maps that Gov. Tony Evers signed into law in February mean Republicans could hold about 52 seats in the Assembly after the November general election, and the Senate will be closer to an even split as well.

Each Assembly district has roughly 59,000 Wisconsin residents.