Robyn Vining
Robyn Beckley Vining (born November 11, 1976) is an American politician currently serving in the Wisconsin State Assembly. She represents the northern half of the city of Wauwatosa, in Milwaukee County, as well as the northern half of the city of Brookfield, in Waukesha County.[1]
Robyn Vining | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 14th district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Dale P. Kooyenga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1976 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jim W. Vining |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin |
| Alma mater | James Madison University (B.A.) Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (M.A.) |
| Occupation | photographer, pastor, politician |
| Website | http://www.robynforwi.com/ |
Biography
Robyn Vining was born on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.[1] She attended school in Austin, Texas, before ultimately graduating from James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, in 1996. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Studio Art from James Madison University, and earned a master's degree in Theology and Culture from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2002.[2]
Vining was a pastor for a time. She moved to the Milwaukee area in 2008 and started her own small business as a photographer. In 2012, she co-founded the non-profit organization Exploit No More, focused on ending child sex trafficking. She is also co-founder of the non-profits Help Portrait Milwaukee and The Milwaukee Portrait Project.[3]
In 2017, she was named American Mothers' Wisconsin Mother of the Year.[3]
In 2018, when incumbent state representative Dale Kooyenga announced that he would seek election to the Senate rather than re-election to the Assembly, Vining decided to run for the open seat.[3] She entered the Democratic primary campaign, but her would-be opponent, Chris Rockwood, after meeting with her, decided to withdraw from the race and endorse her candidacy instead.[4]
Her opponent in the general election was incumbent Wisconsin State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk, who had decided to seek election to the Assembly rather than run for re-election as State Treasurer. The election was close, and an error on election night initially showed Adamczyk the winner by 35 votes. However, the error was discovered and the final certified result showed Vining winning the election by 138 votes.[5]
Personal life and family
Vining is married to Jim Vining and has two children. They reside in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robyn Vining | 16,597 | 48.58% | ||
| Republican | Matt Adamczyk | 16,459 | 48.18% | ||
| Libertarian | Rick Braun | 691 | 2.02% | ||
| Independent | Steven Shevey | 402 | 1.18% | ||
| Write-ins | 13 | 0.04% | |||
| Total votes | 34,162 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robyn Vining | 21,370 | 53.99% | ||
| Republican | Bonnie Lee | 18,186 | 45.95% | ||
| Write-ins | 23 | 0.06% | |||
| Total votes | 39,579 | 100.0% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- "Representative Robyn Vining". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- "Robyn Vining's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Pilarski, Karen (May 9, 2018). "Wauwatosa resident and Wisconsin Mother of the Year Robyn Vining seeks state assembly seat". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Anderson, Chris (June 1, 2018). "Chris Rockwood Withdraws From WI-14 Race, Endorses Robyn Vining". Patch Media. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Pilarski, Karen (November 12, 2019). "Robyn Vining declared the winner in Assembly race after election night error in Wauwatosa was discovered". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Canvass Results for 2018 General Election (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 6, 2018. p. 13. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Statewide Results All Offices (pre-Presidential recount) (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. December 1, 2020. p. 10. Retrieved December 2, 2020.