After six decades at Capitol, Madison Sen. Fred Risser announces his retirement

Madison Democratic Sen. Fred Risser, the longest-serving lawmaker in the nation's history, is not running for re-election this year after serving more than six decades in the Wisconsin Legislature. 

Risser announced his plans to retire Thursday, the same day that fellow Madison Democrat Rep. Chris Taylor, another fixture of local politics, said she wouldn't be seeking re-election to the chamber "or any other legislative seat in 2020."  

First elected to the state Assembly in 1956, Risser is the last World War II veteran serving in the state Legislature, a job he's held under 13 different governors. 

The fourth-generation lawmaker in his family, Risser's father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the Legislature, though Risser noted he was the only Democrat. 

"The political parties keep changing their ideas, while our family has remained committed to progressive values," he said in a statement. 

Capitol observers have long speculated about when the long-time lawmaker, who will be turning 93 in May, would leave state government behind, and many had thought Taylor would be his natural successor in the Senate. 

Elected to the Assembly in an August 2011 special election, Taylor has served on the Legislature's powerful and highly visible budget panel, the Joint Finance Committee. 

But she said in a statement Thursday that her work life "needs to shift to reprioritize my family."

"There is still much more I want to accomplish on the long march to a more just, equitable society," she continued. "I will continue to use all that I have learned throughout my career as an attorney, advocate and legislator to keep pressing towards that world.” 

With Taylor out, a number of other potential candidates have already emerged including Rep. Shelia Stubbs, whose Assembly seat is within Risser's 26th Senate District, former 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kelda Roys and former head of the liberal One Wisconsin Now Scot Ross.

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Sen. Fred Risser, longest-serving lawmaker in American history, to retire

Sen. Fred Risser, longest-serving lawmaker in American history, to retire

And three Democratic candidates have already officially announced, before Risser's retirement, they'd be running for his seat: Nada Elmikashfi, who previously worked with NextGen America, Aisha Moe, a Capitol staffer, and William Henry Davis III, a write-in candidate for lieutenant governor last cycle. 

Stubbs in an interview said she was "very interested" in the seat but would decide officially after talking it through with her family. 

"I'm very excited by the idea of following up Sen. Risser's history-making service by making a little history myself as possibly the first African-American state senator for Dane County," she said. 

Separately, Roys said she's "likely" going to launch a campaign for the district while Ross said in a statement he's considering a bid. 

"I’ll make a decision soon about running to represent the inspiring and fearless people of this State Senate district and as I’ve always said, you can’t win from the sidelines," he said.

The other lawmaker making up the 26th SD, Rep. Lisa Subeck, ruled out a bid, saying in a brief interview she is planning to seek re-election to the state Assembly.

"I think I’m in the best position to represent my constituents the most effectively in the office that I’m holding now," she added. 

The district is considered an ideal one for Democratic lawmakers due to its strong blue support and the fact that elections for it are held opposite those of the state's constitutional offices. Therefore, a lawmaker could hold the seat and safely attempt a run for governor without having to first leave the seat. 

Risser is the latest Democratic senator to announce his retirement from the chamber. Also in the Madison area, Sen. Mark Miller, of Monona, previously announced his intentions to leave the Legislature, and Madison Rep. Melissa Sargent has since launched a campaign to replace him. 

Meanwhile, Green Bay Sen. Dave Hansen has also announced his plans to retire. 

Republicans currently hold a 19-14 majority in the chamber. Half the chamber's seats are up for election this November, where members serve four-year terms.