Fred Risser

Infobox State Senator


honorific-prefix =
name =Fred Risser
honorific-suffix =
state =Wisconsin
state_senate =Wisconsin
district =26th
term_start =1962
term_end =present
preceded =Horace W. Wilkie
succeeded =Incumbent
party =Democratic
date of birth =birth date and age|1927|05|04
place of birth =Madison, Wisconsin
residence =
profession =
religion =
spouse =Nancy
website =

Fred Risser (born May 5, 1927) is a Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 26th District since 1962. [http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=Senate&district=26&display=bio Biographical page at State Legislature website] .] His district includes most of the west side and central neighborhoods of Madison, including the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He has held many leadership positions. He was first elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature in 1956, and moved to the Senate after a special election to fill a vacant seat in 1962. He is the longest-serving state legislator in the United States. [Frank Bures, [http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0301/p20s01-lihc.htm "Backstory: The iron man of state politics"] , "The Christian Science Monitor", March 1, 2007.]

Personal background

Fred Risser was born in Madison. The Risser family is one of the most prolific in Wisconsin political history. Risser's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather also served at various times as Wisconsin legislators representing Madison, although not with the Democratic Party.

Election history

Since being elected by special election in 1962, Risser has never lost an election. Risser is the second-longest serving state legislator in American political history, and the longest in Wisconsin political history. In his most recent electoral victory (2004), 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.

Risser announced on May 31 2008 that he would run again in the 2008 election. [ [http://www.wsaw.com/politics/headlines/19457724.html "Nation's Longest-Serving Lawmaker - State Senator From Madison - Wants More"] , Associated Press (wsaw.com), June 2, 2008.]

References

* Historic Madison Inc. [http://www.madison.com/tct/features/index.php?ntid=91387 "Risser's family a part of history"] , "The Capital Times". July 17, 2006.

External links

* [http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senate/sen26/ Wisconsin State Legislature - Senator Fred Risser] official WI Senate website
*"Follow the Money" - Fred A Risser
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200648&c=415843 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200448&c=403148 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200248&c=42498 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200048&c=386722 2000] campaign contributions
* [http://www.wisdc.org/pro08-100332.php Campaign 2008] campaign contributions at "Wisconsin Democracy Campaign"

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