Senator Robert L. Cowles has served as a State Legislator since 1983 when he was elected to the State Assembly. In April 1987, he was elected to the Senate in a special election to serve the
Second Senate District which includes parts of Brown, Oconto, Shawano, Outagamie and Waupaca County’s in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Prior to serving in the State Legislature Robert Cowles graduated from the University of Green Bay where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He then gained solid private sector experience as a director of an alternative energy division for a communications construction company.
Senator Cowles 2011-2012 Committee assignments include: Committee on Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection (chair), Joint Legislative Audit Committee (co-chair), membership on the committee on Workforce Development, Small Business and Tourism and membership on the Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology.
As shown through is co-chairmanship on the Legislative Audit Committee Senator Cowles has a strong reputation for being a fiscal conservative and always looking out for the taxpayers of this state. Senator Cowles is also known for his ability to balance environmental protection with business needs and has guided sound environmental/business policy for the State of Wisconsin.
Other groups Senator Cowles has received recognition from include; the Vietnam Veterans of America, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Wisconsin Counties, Wisconsin Farm Bureau - Friends of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, Brown County Conservation Alliance, the Lower Green Bay and Fox River Remedial Action Plan, and the American Cancer Society.
Past committee assignments represent how the Senator’s interests reflect the concerns of his district and the state. Among the committees he has served on are the Joint Committee on Audit; Urban Affairs, Financial Institutions and Environmental Resources; Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules; Judiciary and Consumer Affairs; Legislative Council Committee on State Fire Programs; Educational Financing, Higher Education and Tourism; Science,
Technology, Communications, and Energy; Economic Development, Housing, Government Operations and Cultural Affairs; Family and Economic Assistance; and Revenue.
In addition to Senator Cowles legislative appointments, he is a member of National Conference of State Legislators and serves on the Science, Energy, and Environmental Resources Committee. Senator Cowles is also involved in several community groups including the Brown County Taxpayers Association, Allouez Kiwanis, and Trout Unlimited.