Honadel To Resign From State Legislature

State Rep. Mark Honadel has announced he will resign from the Legislature in September to "pursue an opportunity in the private sector." 

Honadel, a Republican who has represented Oak Creek and South Milwaukee in the state Assembly since winning a special election in 2003, released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Today I am announcing my resignation from the Wisconsin State Assembly. I am proud to have represented the 21st Assembly District for ten years. I will be stepping down in mid-September to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. 
"It has been an extreme honor and pleasure to serve my constituents as their voice in Madison. On their behalf I helped enact significant reforms that balanced the state budget without raising taxes, held the line on property taxes, and created a state surplus. 
"I am pleased to have worked hard on many other meaningful bills that have benefited our state’s economy and way of life for the people of Wisconsin.  Most recently, The Mining for Jobs Act passed earlier this year will allow responsible and safe use of our natural resources and create thousands of good-paying jobs around our state. 
"I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle throughout my six sessions in the Assembly. I will always treasure my time serving with them to work on the pressing issues facing our state. 
"Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, and neighbors in the 21st Assembly District for their constant trust and support. Serving my state in this way has truly been a unique and special opportunity."

After Honadel's announcement, Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi told Patch he would seek the seat in a special election, which will likely be held sometime in late November or early December.

Colleagues praise Honadel
Honadel is a long-time presence in the Oak Creek-South Milwaukee area.

He grew up on his family's apple orchard in Oak Creek and graduated from Oak Creek High School. 

He later moved to South Milwaukee and worked as a welder and small businessman before running for the Assembly seat in a 2003 special election.

He went on to win re-election five times. His last victory in 2012, when he got 60 percent of the vote, was his most decisive.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Honadel's election in 2003 came at a time "some called the beginning of the property tax revolt," with Honadel making a property tax freeze the centerpiece of his campaign.

“He brought a wealth of knowledge as a small business owner to the public sector and became a voice for manufacturing, a critical industry of Wisconsin's economy," Vos said in a statement. "Mark will be missed in the Assembly by Democrats and Republicans alike; the private sector is lucky to have him back."

Republican state Rep. Bill Kramer, noting Honadel was also elected in the wake of the Milwaukee County pension scandal, said Honadel "represented a new wave of fiscally responsible politicians in and from Milwaukee County."

"I couldn't be happier for Mark as he pursues new opportunities outside of the Wisconsin State Assembly," Kramer said in a statement. 

Scaffidi also praised Honadel, saying he has served the district well for the past 10 years.

"He's accomplished a lot in his career," Scaffidi said.