He's the longest-tenured state legislator in history - not just Wisconsin history, but American political history. He's been in the Wisconsin Legislature since 1956 and in the state Senate since 1962. That's 54 years as a state lawmaker. And counting. Risser, who has served under 12 governors, is just
continuing a family tradition: His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all once Wisconsin legislators. He's been president of the Senate on several occasions.
He authored more than 200 bills that have become laws.
Over the years, Risser has drawn a few Democratic primary opponents who felt he was not progressive enough. Then, this year, at age 83, he was at the forefront of the historic exodus of Democratic state senators seeking to block Gov. Scott Walker's radical anti-union agenda. If he seeks reelection in 2012, he'll be a shoo-in.
