Wis. Boasts Longest Serving Lawmaker in the Nation

Fred Risser jokes that he’s been in the Wisconsin Legislature so long, the state is tearing down buildings that he voted to construct.

The Madison Democrat officially became the nation’s longest serving out of 7,500 current state lawmakers on Jan. 3, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

His 50 years in the Legislature is longer than Robert Byrd’s record 48-year service in the U.S. Senate, although Byrd previously served in the House and the West Virginia Legislature.

Risser was elected to the Assembly in 1956, when Dwight Eisenhower was president and Joseph McCarthy represented Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate. He won a special election to the state Senate in 1962 and voters have returned him to office every four years since 1964.

Risser is a proud liberal who has pushed for regulations on smoking, to protect abortion rights and to increase funding for the University of Wisconsin and state employees. Although his ethics have never been questioned, he has irritated opponents by tying up the Senate with procedural maneuvers when he opposes a bill.

“There’s a reason why Fred’s the longest serving legislator in the country: He absolutely represents his district’s interests and the best of Wisconsin progressivism,” said Stuart Levitan, a Madison historian. “Fred stands for good government.”

At 79 and in good health, Risser shows no signs of slowing down.

Topics Legislation Wisconsin