Fred Risser

This article is about the Democratic state senator and former assemblyman. For his father, the Progressive state senator, see Fred Risser (Progressive).
Fred A. Risser
President of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
July 17, 2012 – January 7, 2013
Preceded by Michael Ellis
Succeeded by Michael Ellis
In office
January 8, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Alan Lasee
Succeeded by Michael Ellis
In office
January 4, 1999 – January 6, 2003
Succeeded by Alan Lasee
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 26th district
Assumed office
December 1, 1962
Preceded by Horace W. Wilkie
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 26th district
In office
1957–1962
Personal details
Born (1927-05-05) May 5, 1927
Madison, Wisconsin
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Nancy Risser
Profession Legislator

Fred A. Risser (born May 5, 1927) is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 26th District since 1962.[1] His district includes most of the west side and central neighborhoods of Madison, including the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly from 1957 to 1962. Risser has never lost an election and is the longest-serving state legislator in American political history,[1][2][3] but he is not yet the longest-serving state senator in American history.[4][5]

Early life, education and career

Risser was born in Madison on May 5, 1927, into one of the most prolific families in Wisconsin political history. Risser's father (Fred E. Risser), grandfather (Ernest Warner), and great-grandfather (Clement Warner) served at various times as Wisconsin legislators representing part or all of Dane County, although none as Democrats. He was educated in the Madison public schools, attended Carleton College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (where he earned a B.A.), and the law school of the University of Oregon, becoming a practicing attorney in Madison and is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and Oregon State Bar. He served in the United States Navy during World War II (1945–46).[6]

Wisconsin legislature

Risser was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1956, succeeding fellow Democrat Ivan A. Nestingen (who had resigned in April of that year). He was elected to the state Senate in a 1962 special election triggered by the appointment of Horace W. Wilkie to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He was elected to a full term in 1964 and has been reelected every four years since.

In his 2004 electoral victory, he received more than 80% of the vote, facing opposition only from a Green Party candidate and no Republican opponent. In the 2007–08 session of the Wisconsin State Senate, Risser was elected as President of the Senate. He held this position on several prior occasions. He also has been President Pro Tempore, Minority Leader (1967–1973) and Assistant Minority Leader in the State Senate.[1] In 2008 and 2012 he was re-elected without opposition.

2011 Wisconsin protests

During the protests in Wisconsin, Risser, along with the 13 other Democratic State Senators, left the state to deny the State Senate a quorum on Governor Scott Walker's "Budget Repair" legislation.

Personal life

Risser is married to Nancy Risser, a retired Spanish teacher. He has three children and four grandchildren.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Biographical page at State Legislature website.
  2. ↑ Frank Bures, "Backstory: The iron man of state politics", The Christian Science Monitor, March 1, 2007.
  3. ↑ Sen. Risser outraged that Capitol has become an "armed fortress", John Nichols, The Capitol Times, March 3, 2011
  4. ↑ "Remember the longest-serving senator". Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  5. ↑ "State Sen. Michael Kinney". 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
  6. ↑ Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958 Madison: State of Wisconsin, 1958; p. 37
Wisconsin State Senate
Preceded by
Horace W. Wilkie		 Wisconsin State Senator - 26th District
1962 – Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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