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, serving 58 years in the Wisconsin State Senate and six years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing 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]

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
Preceded by	Brian Rude
Succeeded by	Alan Lasee
In office January 8, 1996 – January 5, 1998
Preceded by	Brian Rude
Succeeded by	Brian Rude
In office April 3, 1979 – January 9, 1995
Preceded by	Russell Olson
Succeeded by	Brian Rude
President pro tempore of the Wisconsin Senate
In office January 6, 1975 – April 3, 1979
Preceded by	Robert P. Knowles
Succeeded by	Vacant until 1983 William A. Bablitch (1983)
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 26th district
In office December 1, 1962 – January 4, 2021
Preceded by	Horace W. Wilkie
Succeeded by	Kelda Roys
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 26th district
In office January 7, 1957 – December 1, 1962
Preceded by	Ivan A. Nestingen
Succeeded by	Edward Nager
Personal details
Born	May 5, 1927 Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Nancy Risser
Father	Fred Risser
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin University of Oregon
Profession	Legislator
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1945–1946
Battles/wars	World War II

As of 2019, Risser was the last World War II veteran to serve as a state legislator in the United States.[4]

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]

He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946.[6] Risser was sworn into the United States Navy shortly before his high school graduation and Victory in Europe Day. The end of his basic training coincided with Victory over Japan 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 arts and law school degree at the University of Oregon School of Law, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws, and became a practicing attorney in Wisconsin; he is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Oregon State Bar.[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

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. 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 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.

External links

• Profile at Vote Smart
• Fred Risser at Ballotpedia
• Fred Risser recalls his 1959 vote to give public employees in Wisconsin the right to join unions and bargain collectively, Wisconsin Eye, February 22, 2011, video interview
• Appearances on C-SPAN