Fred Risser
Encyclopedia
Fred Risser is a Democratic
member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 26th District since 1962. His district includes most of the west side and central neighborhoods of Madison
, including the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
.
.
Since being elected to the Wisconsin Senate by special election in 1962, Risser has never lost an election. Risser is the longest serving state legislator in American political history.
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. In 2008 he was re-elected without opposition.
's "Budget Repair" legislation.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 26th District since 1962. His district includes most of the west side and central neighborhoods of Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, including the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
.
Early life, education and career
Risser was born in Madison, into one of the most prolific families in Wisconsin political history. Risser's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather served at various times as Wisconsin legislators representing Madison, although not with the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Wisconsin legislature
Risser was first elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in 1956.Since being elected to the Wisconsin Senate by special election in 1962, Risser has never lost an election. Risser is the longest serving state legislator in American political history.
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. In 2008 he was re-elected without opposition.
2011 Wisconsin protests
During the protests in Wisconsin, Risser, along with the 13 other Democratic State Senators, fled the state to deny the State Senate a quorum on Governor Scott WalkerScott Walker (politician)
Scott Kevin Walker is an American Republican politician who began serving as the 45th Governor of Wisconsin on January 3, 2011, after defeating Democratic candidate Tom Barrett, 52 percent to 47 percent in the November 2010 general election...
's "Budget Repair" legislation.
Personal life
Risser is married to Nancy Risser, a retired Spanish teacher. He has three children and four grandchildren.External links
- Senator Fred Risser at the Wisconsin State Legislature
- 26th Senate District, Senator Risser in the Wisconsin Blue BookWisconsin Blue BookThe Wisconsin Blue Book is a biannual publication of the Wisconsin's Legislative Reference Bureau. The Blue Book is an almanac containing information on the government, economics, demographics, geography and history of the state of Wisconsin. The book was first published in 1853...
(2005–2006) - Campaign 2008 campaign contributions at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
- Sen. Risser outraged that Capitol has become an "armed fortress", John Nichols, The Capitol Times, March 3, 2011
- 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