Judy Robson

Judith Biros Robson (born November 21, 1939) is a retired American nurse, nursing instructor, and Democratic politician from Beloit, Wisconsin. She served 12 years in the Wisconsin Senate and 12 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Rock County. She was the first female Democratic Senate majority leader in Wisconsin history.

Judy Robson
Robson in 2009
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
In office January 1, 2007 – October 24, 2007
Preceded by	Dale Schultz
Succeeded by	Russ Decker
Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate
In office January 3, 2005 – January 1, 2007
Preceded by	Jon Erpenbach
Succeeded by	Scott Fitzgerald
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 15th district
In office January 4, 1999 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Timothy Weeden
Succeeded by	Timothy Cullen
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 45th district
In office June 17, 1987 – January 4, 1999
Preceded by	Timothy Weeden
Succeeded by	Dan Schooff
Personal details
Born	(1939-11-21) November 21, 1939 (age 85) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Beloit, Wisconsin
Alma mater	St. John's College (BSN) University of Wisconsin–Madison (MA)
Profession	Registered Nurse

Biography

Robson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and now lives in Beloit, Wisconsin. She received a B.S.N. degree from St. John's College in Cleveland, and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1976.^[1] She is a registered nurse. Before being elected to public office, Robson worked as a nurse and as an instructor, primarily at Blackhawk Technical College.^[2]

Robson was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in June 1987 in a special election to replace Timothy Weeden (who had been elected to the state Senate). She was reelected to her seat several times and served in that house until 1999. In 1998, she was elected to the Wisconsin Senate and reelected in 2002. Robson was selected by her peers to be the Senate Democratic leader in 2005. She was reelected in 2006 and became the Majority Leader of the Wisconsin State Senate in 2007 following the Democratic takeover of the Senate in the 2006 elections.^[3] The day after passage of the 2007-2008 state budget, the Senate Democratic Caucus elected Russ Decker to replace Robson as Majority Leader.^[4]

Robson did not seek reelection in 2010^[5] and was succeeded by Timothy Cullen, who had held the senate seat prior to Tim Weeden.

Committee assignments

• Committee for review of Administrative Rules
• Joint committee for review of Administrative Rules
• Committee on Education, Ethics and Elections
• Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care
• Special Committee on Improving Wisconsin's Fiscal Management
• Special Committee on The Public Health System's Response to Terrorism and Public Health Emergencies (chair)
• Wisconsin Artistic Endowment Foundation
• Women's Council

Further reading

• Gibbons, Jessie (2021). "Wisconsin's 'Nurse Legislator'". Wisconsin History Project. 3 (3). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.

References

1. NAO Archived 2006-08-28 at the Wayback Machine, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing. Fall 2000, p. 8.
2. "Robson, Judith Biros". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
3. Robson's State Senate website Archived 2004-08-04 at the Wayback Machine
4. JS Online: NewsWatch Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine
5. "Sen. Robson: Grateful to have served". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-01-28.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Wisconsin State Legislature - Senator Judy Robson official WI Senate website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Judith Biros 'Judy' Robson (WI) profile
• Follow the Money - Judy Robson
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 1998 campaign contributions
• Wisconsin Democracy Campaign - Judy Robson campaign contributions

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Timothy Weeden	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 45th district June 17, 1987 – January 4, 1999	Succeeded by Dan Schooff
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Timothy Weeden	Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 15th district January 4, 1999 – January 3, 2011	Succeeded by Timothy Cullen
Preceded by Jon Erpenbach	Minority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate January 3, 2005 – January 1, 2007	Succeeded by Scott Fitzgerald
Preceded by Dale Schultz	Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Senate January 1, 2007 – October 24, 2007	Succeeded by Russ Decker