America's Longest-Serving Legislator, Fred Risser, Retires
March 26, 2020 • South Central Region
![Sen. Fred Risser speaks from the Senate floor Feb. 26, 2015. Sen. Fred Risser speaks from the Senate floor Feb. 26, 2015.](https://wisconsinpublictv.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/risser3-1536x864.jpg)
Sen. Fred Risser speaks from the Senate floor Feb. 26, 2015.
Wisconsin’s, and the nation’s, longest-serving legislator Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, announced Thursday he will retire after serving 64 years in the state legislature.
The 92-year-old was first elected to the Assembly in 1956, and won a Senate seat in 1962. According to a release from his office, Risser served under 13 different governors and is the last World War II veteran in any of the country’s legislative bodies.
![](https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wisconsinpublictv/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/risser2.jpg)
Sen. Fred Risser sits down for an interview with Here & Now in his Capitol office Sept. 10, 2014.
Among those who would possibly fill the vacant seat, state Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, announced Thursday as well that she would not seek re-election to the Assembly, nor to the Senate.
“There is still much more I want to accomplish on the long march to a more just, equitable society,” Taylor said in a statement. “I will continue to use all that I have learned throughout my career as an attorney, advocate and legislator to keep pressing towards that world.”
Another potential candidate to fill the seat, state Rep. Lisa Subeck, D-Madison, thanked Risser for his service.
“As I continue to serve the people of the 78th Assembly District, I look forward to working closely with our next Senator,” she said in a statement.
Three candidates already filed paperwork in their intention to face Risser: William Henry Davis III, Nada Elmikashfi, and Aisha Moe. They will force an August 11 primary for the heavily Democratic seat.
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