In 2011, Wisconsin Republicans held complete control of state government and passed a partisan redistricting plan that drastically redrew the State Assembly map. The 7th Assembly district, previously dominated by the Milwaukee suburb Greenfield, was redrawn to stretch from West Allis and West Milwaukee, across part of Greenfield, containing neighborhoods of the city of Milwaukee's south side. The new district contained just 1/3 of the previous constituents.[3] Riemer launched a primary challenge against Democrat Peggy Krusick in 2012 for her more conservative positions and stances on abortion, with her being endorsed by Wisconsin Right to Life.[4][5] At the time, Krusick had been in the Assembly for nearly 30 years—longer than Riemer had been alive.
Riemer prevailed in the primary with 67% of the vote and there were no other major party candidates appearing on the general election ballot.[6] Krusick decided to run a write-in campaign for the general election, touting her moderate record,[7] but Riemer won a large majority in the new district.[8]
Riemer returned to law school on a part-time basis during the Fall of 2012; he ultimately graduated with his J.D. in December 2013 and was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin in April 2014.
Riemer has been reelected five times.[9] In 2021, Riemer began a brief run for Mayor of Milwaukee in 2021 following the resignation of Mayor Tom Barrett, but withdrew from the race before the filing deadline.[10]
Riemer made 2022 his last campaign for office, as he announced he would retire from the state assembly at the end of the 2023 session to spend time with his family.[11]
Personal life
Riemer married Paula Phillips on July 30, 2017.[12] His wife was elected to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors while she and Riemer were engaged, in April 2017,[13] but she did not run for re-election in 2021.[14] Riemer and his family live on Milwaukee's south side.[1]
