Wisconsin

MADISON - Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced his retirement at the opening of the final meeting of the body Thursday afternoon, marking the end of his decades-long political career.

In an emotional speech at the start of the session, Vos, 57, said he decided to retire after a mild heart attack in November.

"Luckily, my doctors say I'm perfectly fine, but I do need to reduce my stress," he said. "And let me tell you, this job is stressful."

He said spending the past 13 years as the speaker has been the "greatest professional honor" of his life.

"I am struck by how much this work has shaped me, how honored I am to play a small part in democracy," he said. "And how proud I am to know that the state of our Legislature is strong."

Vos has served in the Assembly for more than two decades and as speaker since 2013.