Two longtime state lawmakers who have held leadership positions within their chamber's agriculture committee are about to retire. On Monday, Senators Fred Risser of Madison and Dave Hansen from Green Bay are stepping down as the new legislative session begins. Both Democrats announced their intentions of retiring prior to the 2020 election.
Risser, who is 93, is finishing 64 years in office and is the longest serving state or national legislator in U.S. history. He is also a World War II veteran.
First elected to the Assembly in 1956, Risser ran for the State Senate in 1962. During his tenure, he served as Senate Minority Leader and 25 years as Senate President. He was also a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee during the past legislative session.
Senator Hansen served for most of his tenure on either the Senate Agriculture or Natural Resources committees. He was first elected to his District 30 Senate seat in 2000 and served as Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader and Joint Finance Vice Chair. He also authored more than 50 bills that became law, including several pro-ethanol policies.
In 2001, Hansen helped negotiate a reimbursement package for Northeast Wisconsin dairy farmers who lost thousands of dollars when Dixie Dairy, an out-of-state corporation, defaulted on its payments to Liberty Milk Cooperative.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy