Robyn Vining

Robyn Vining
Robyn Vining
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly; from the 14th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 7, 2019
Preceded by	Dale Kooyenga
Personal details
Born	Robin D. Beckley; November 11, 1976 (age 48); Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jim W. Vining
Children	2
Residence	Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Alma mater	James Madison University (BA, BS); Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MA)
Occupation	photographer, pastor, politician
Website	Official website; Campaign website

Robyn Beckley Vining (born November 11, 1976) is an American photographer, nonprofit executive, and Democratic politician from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Wisconsin's 14th Assembly district since 2019.^[1]

Early life and career

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]

Wisconsin state assembly

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 then-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

Wisconsin Assembly, 14th district (2018–2022)

Year	Election	Date	Elected				Defeated				Total	Plurality
2018	General^[6]	Nov. 6	Robyn Vining	Democratic	16,597	48.58%	Matt Adamczyk	Rep.	16,459	48.18%	34,162	138
							Rick Braun	Lib.	691	2.02%
							Steven Shevey	Ind.	402	1.18%
2020	General^[7]	Nov. 3	Robyn Vining (inc)	Democratic	21,370	53.99%	Bonnie Lee	Rep.	18,186	45.95%	39,579	3,184
2022	General^[8]	Nov. 8	Robyn Vining (inc)	Democratic	17,703	63.35%	Keva Turner	Rep.	10,219	36.57%	27,946	7,484

Wisconsin Assembly, 13th district (2024)

References

^ ^a ^b "Representative Robyn Vining". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
^ "Robyn Vining's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c 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 - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 13. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
^ Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. pp. 10–11. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
^ Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 12. Retrieved January 30, 2024.

External links

[legis-1] "Representative Robyn Vining". Wisconsin Legislature. Retrieved May 2, 2019.

[2] "Robyn Vining's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 2, 2019.

[jtbio-3] 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.

[4] Anderson, Chris (June 1, 2018). "Chris Rockwood Withdraws From WI-14 Race, Endorses Robyn Vining". Patch Media. Retrieved May 2, 2019.

[5] 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.

[2018gen-6] Canvass Results for 2018 General Election - 11/6/2018 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. February 22, 2019. p. 13. Retrieved January 31, 2024.

[2020gen-7] Canvass Results for 2020 General Election - 11/3/2020 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 18, 2020. pp. 10–11. Retrieved January 31, 2024.

[2022gen-8] Canvass Results for 2022 General Election - 11/8/2022 (PDF) (Report). Wisconsin Elections Commission. November 30, 2022. p. 12. Retrieved January 30, 2024.

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