Robin Kreibich
Rob Kreibich | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Gae Magnafici |
| Constituency | 28th Assembly district |
| In office January 4, 1993 – January 3, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph C. Hisrich |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Smith |
| Constituency | 93rd Assembly district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 4, 1959 Wabasha, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Malinda |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | New Richmond, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Politician, news reporter, businessman |
| Website | Official website Campaign website |
Robin G. "Rob" Kreibich (born June 4, 1959) is an American businessman and Republican politician from New Richmond, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 28th Assembly district since January 2025. He previously served 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, from January 1993 until January 2007, representing Wisconsin's 93rd Assembly district.
Early life and career
[edit]Kreibich was born in Wabasha, Minnesota, but later moved to River Falls, Wisconsin. He graduated from River Falls high school and initially attended the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in 1979.[1] He then attended the Brown Institute, a for-profit college in Minnesota, from 1981 to 1982, when he graduated. He then decided to attend the University of Minnesota, where he got a B.A. in journalism.[1]
In 1990, Kreibich began working for WEAU after moving into Eau Claire.[2] As part of his work as a reporter, he accompanied the New Richmond High School Marching Band on its trip to the Soviet Union as part of his work as a reporter for WEAU.[3] During his time in Eau Claire he was a member of the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce.[4]
Political career
[edit]State Legislature
[edit]In 1992, Kreibich began first campaign for public office, running against incumbent representative and Democrat Joseph C. Hisrich.[5] During the campaign, Kreibich attacked Hisrich for drawing both a legislative salary and a salary from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Kreibich also proposed various reforms to Wisconsin's tax law, supporting efforts to provide property tax relief and job creation.[5] Kreibich defeated Hisrich by a 19 point margin and took office January 4, 1993.
In 2006, Kreibich proposed a plan to reform the University of Wisconsin System, which would guarantee Wisconsin high school graduates admission to any University of Wisconsin campus.[6] This guarantee was on the condition that said students complete three years of math and science classes, graduate in the top 10% of their class, and score a 25 or higher on the ACT. The proposal was meant to ensure easier access to the UW system, but was criticized as being unlikely to make higher education more affordable.[6]
In the 2006 election, Kreibich was defeated by Democrat Jeff Smith.[7]
Out of office
[edit]Following his defeat Kreibich moved to Marshfield, Wisconsin, working for the Marshfield Clinic as a Public Relations Specialist between 2007 until 2014, when he moved back to New Richmond, Wisconsin.[3] In 2014, the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce picked Kreibich as its executive director.
In 2017, Kreibich was appointed to the Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program Board and served in this capacity until 2021.[8]
Return to office
[edit]Due to the 2024 redistricting, incumbent Republican Gae Magnafici was drawn out of her district, being left within the new 75th district. Instead of running for re-election in either the new 28th district or new 75th district, she decided to retire. On March 26, 2024, Kreibich announced he would run for the 28th Assembly district to succeed Magnafici in the 2024 Wisconsin State Assembly election.[9] Another Republican, Brady Penfield, a student as the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, also ran for the Republican nomination.[10] During the campaign Penfield ran to the right of Kreibich on various issues, but in the primary election, Kreibich won a narrow 45 vote victory over Penfield. He then advanced to the general election, where he defeated Democrat Danielle Johnson by a wide margin.
Kreibich took office on January 7, 2025.
Personal life
[edit]Kreibich is married to Malinda Kreibich, and they have three children together.[5]
Electoral history
[edit]Wisconsin Assembly, 93rd district (1992–2006)
[edit]Wisconsin Assembly, 28th district (2024)
[edit]| Year | Election | Date | Elected | Defeated | Total | Plurality | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Primary[11] | Aug. 13 | Rob Kreibich | Republican | 2,888 | 50.30% | Brady Penfield | Rep. | 2,843 | 49.53% | 5,741 | 45 |
| General[12] | Nov. 5 | Rob Kreibich | Republican | 23,979 | 66.14% | Danielle Johnson | Dem. | 12,245 | 33.77% | 36,256 | 11,734 | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1993-1995,' Biographical Sketch of Robin Kreibich, pg. 83
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2005-2006,' Biographical Sketch of Robin Kreibich, pg. 81
- ^ a b Foley, Michael (September 18, 2014). "Chamber picks Rob Kreibich as new executive director". Republican Eagle. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Kreibich, Robin G. 1959". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ a b c Eau Claire Leader Telegram Newspaper Archives October 30, 1992 Page 2A
- ^ a b Babe, Ann (February 9, 2006). "Kreibich pushes for UW System reform". The Badger Herald. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight - November 7, 2006 General Election Preliminary Results". Wisconsin Legislature. November 17, 2006. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Senate approves Darling, Kreibich appointments to college savings board". WisPolitics. October 31, 2017. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Kreibich campaign: New Richmond Chamber President Rob Kreibich launches bid for newly created, vacant Assembly District 28". March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Schulte, Jason (July 4, 2024). "Penfield running to make a change in local politics". Baldwin Bulletin. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ County by County Report - 2024 Partisan Primary (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. August 26, 2024. p. 127. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ County by County Report - 2024 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 27, 2024. p. 28. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
External links
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- 1959 births
- Living people
- Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- People from Wabasha, Minnesota
- University of Minnesota alumni
- 21st-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature
- 20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature
- Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly stubs