On Nov. 7, Gov. Tony Evers appointed Randy Romanski as interim secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection following unprecedented actions by Senate Republicans on Nov. 5 to fire Evers’ DATCP appointee Brad Pfaff after 10 months on the job.

“Our farmers are experiencing a growing dairy crisis, devastating flooding and an unpredictable trade war. The last thing they need is Republican politicians playing political games with our leading agricultural agency,” Evers says. “I’m disappointed by the actions Senate Republicans decided to take on Tuesday, but I believe the agency and our farmers will be in good hands with Randy leading the way.”

NEW LEADER: On Nov. 7, Wisconsin Deputy Ag Secretary Randy Romanski became interim secretary at DATCP.

Romanski has held leadership roles across various Wisconsin state agencies, and previously served as DATCP deputy secretary and secretary under former Gov. Jim Doyle. Romanski was DATCP deputy secretary in July 2010 when then-Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen drowned while swimming in Lake Superior near Marquette, Mich. Romanski served as agriculture secretary until January 2011, when Scott Walker became governor and Ben Brancel was appointed ag secretary.

In a letter to Romanski, Evers thanked him for his willingness to serve as interim secretary of the Wisconsin DATCP. Evers wrote: “As we are in the midst of rising trade tensions on the federal level, a growing dairy crisis that is threatening family farms across the state and a majority party determined to hinder our ability to solve problems, your commitment to this work is admirable.”

Evers went on to praise Romanski and Pfaff for the work they have done at DATCP.

“The farmers and agricultural stakeholders who have voiced their commitment to agency leadership is a testament to that work, and your institutional knowledge will serve the agency well. I trust your ability to lead the agency during these times of political retaliation and uncertainty,” Evers added.