Robert Lewis Cowles III (born July 31, 1950) is a retired American Republican politician from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

After graduating, he briefly pursued his master's in public administration at University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, but did not complete that degree.

[5] Despite his parents being prominent local Republicans, Cowles became active in politics with the Democratic Party during his college years.

[8][9] Cowles prevailed in the primary, receiving 57% of the vote, but was defeated in the general election by Republican Gary T.

[13][14] While Cowles was being re-elected to the assembly in 1986, his district's state senator, Don Hanaway, was being elected Attorney General of Wisconsin.

Much of the controversy was caused by a provision of the law which removed the rights of public employee unions to engage in collective bargaining with state and municipal governments.

[18] Just before the 2024 election, Cowles announced that he would vote for the Democratic Party presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, and stated that Donald Trump "has to be defeated".

In announcing his decision, Cowles said, "I really think this is one of the most important things I've done... Hopefully, people will accept that and listen to me, those that have trusted me and believed in me will think about that, and if they're undecided, that we have to make a change here... Trump has to be defeated, and we have to protect the Constitution.

[21] Through his paternal grandmother, Emily Cone Harris (née Murphy) Cowles, Cowles was an heir to a portion of the ownership of Horseshoe Bay Farms, Door County Wisconsin, Penobscot Mines Minnesota,The Pacific Lumber Company California, The Morley-Murphy Company, founded by her father, Frank Emery Murphy.

Her uncle, William Herbert Murphy, was also a prominent businessman, and was one of the founders of the Lincoln Motor Company.