Fred Risser

Fred A. Risser (born May 5, 1927) is a retired American Democratic politician. He holds the record as the longest-serving state legislator in American history, having served 58 years in the Wisconsin State Senate and six years in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Risser represented districts in central and western Madison, Wisconsin, including the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was president of the Senate for 26 years and never lost an election.[1][2][3] By 2019 Risser was the last World War II veteran serving as a state legislator in the United States.[4]

This article is about the Democratic state senator and former state representative. For his father, the Progressive state senator, see Fred Risser (Progressive politician).

Fred A. Risser
Risser in 2011
President of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
July 17, 2012 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byMichael Ellis
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
In office
January 8, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byAlan Lasee
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
In office
January 4, 1999 – January 6, 2003
Preceded byBrian Rude
Succeeded byAlan Lasee
In office
January 8, 1996 – January 5, 1998
Preceded byBrian Rude
Succeeded byBrian Rude
In office
April 3, 1979 – January 9, 1995
Preceded byRussell Olson
Succeeded byBrian Rude
President pro tempore of the Wisconsin Senate
In office
January 6, 1975 – April 3, 1979
Preceded byRobert P. Knowles
Succeeded byVacant until 1983
William A. Bablitch (1983)
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 26th district
In office
December 1, 1962 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byHorace W. Wilkie
Succeeded byKelda Roys
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 26th district
In office
January 7, 1957 – December 1, 1962
Preceded byIvan A. Nestingen
Succeeded byEdward Nager
Personal details
Born (1927-05-05) May 5, 1927
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNancy Risser
Parent
RelativesErnest Warner (grandfather)
Clement Warner (great-grandfather)
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin
University of Oregon
ProfessionLegislator
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1945–1946
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life, education and career

Risser was born in Madison, Wisconsin on May 5, 1927[5] into a prolific Wisconsin political family. 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 were Democrats.[2]

Risser served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946.[6] He was sworn into the Navy shortly before his high school graduation and Victory in Europe Day. He was a medic and served in Newport, Rhode Island and the Panama Canal Zone.[7]

Risser used the G.I. Bill to attend college, attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota before earning a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Oregon School of Law. He became a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Oregon State Bar and practiced law in Wisconsin.[7][8]

Wisconsin Legislature

Wisconsin Assembly

Risser was first elected to the Wisconsin State 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 succeeded in the Wisconsin Assembly by fellow Democrat Edward Nager.[5]

Wisconsin Senate

Risser was elected to a full term in 1964 and was reelected every four years until his retirement.[7] He rose through the ranks quickly, becoming the Minority Leader in 1967,[5] which he credits to his intense study of parliamentary procedure.[2]

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]

2011 Wisconsin protests
See also: 2011 Wisconsin protests § Legislative walkout

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.[9][10]

Retirement

On March 26, 2020, Risser announced that he would not run for re-election in November 2020.[11][12][13]

Other political involvement

Risser was a delegate to both the 1960 Democratic National Convention and the 1964 Democratic National Convention. He served as the Chair of Wisconsin's Presidential electors during the 1964 presidential election.[5]

Personal life

Risser's first wife, Betty, died after 21 years of marriage.[14] Risser is married to Nancy Risser, a retired Spanish teacher. He has three children and several grandchildren.[1]

References
  1. "Fred Risser". Wisconsin Senate Democrats.
  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. "In Memoriam: New Mexico Senator John Pinto". The NCSL Blog. National Conference of State Legislatures. May 29, 2019. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  5. Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V., eds. (1973). "Biography" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book 1973-1974. Wisconsin's Legislative Reference Bureau. p. 72. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  6. "The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958". January 24, 1958 – via digicoll.library.wisc.edu. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. Wolf, March (July 15, 2013). "Six Who Served". State Legislatures Magazine. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  8. "Bar People: Among Ourselves". Oregon State Bar Bulletin. September 1, 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  9. Rhodes, Dawn; Branson-Potts, Hailey; Meyer, Erin (February 21, 2011). "Wisconsin senators living day-to-day south of border". Chicago Tribune.
  10. Ivey, Mike (April 27, 2017). "The lifer". Isthmus. Madison, Wisconsin.
  11. Johnson, Shawn (March 26, 2020). "Fred Risser, Nation's Longest-Serving State Legislator, To Retire". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  12. Sigfusson, Lauren (March 26, 2020). "Longest-Serving Legislator Fred Risser Won't Seek Reelection". WUWM. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  13. Risser, Senator Fred [@SenRisser] (March 26, 2020). "After 64 years representing Madison in the State Assembly and State Senate, I have decided not the stand for re-election" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. Sommerhauser, Mark (May 19, 2017). "In 60-year legislative career, Fred Risser has learned to take the long view". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
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