The Wisconsin State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
"I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve had to meet people in the State Capitol and throughout Wisconsin who share my love for the state we call home," Cowles said in his statement. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who wakes up every day working to make our great state an even better place."
He did not address the new maps in his statement.
Cowles has been active on environmental policy, currently serving as chair of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He was also the former co-chair of the Senate's Audit Committee, which ordered and reviewed audits of state agencies and programs.
With Cowles' departure, Democratic Sen. Bob Wirch, of Kenosha, will be the longest-serving senator. He was first elected in 1996, after spending four years in the Assembly.
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Democratic Sen. Tim Carpenter, of Milwaukee, has more seniority in the Legislature. He was first elected to the Assembly in 1984, but he wasn't elected to the Senate until 2002.
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