21 Facts About Fred Risser

Fred A Risser was born on May 5,1927 and is a retired American Democratic politician from Madison, Wisconsin.

Fred Risser holds the record as the longest-serving state legislator in American history, having served 58 years in the Wisconsin State Senate and six years in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Fred Risser was president of the Senate for 26 years and never lost an election.

Fred Risser was the fourth generation of his family to serve in the state legislature.

Fred Risser's father, Fred E Risser, had represented the same state senate district from 1937 to 1949.

Fred Risser was born in Madison, Wisconsin on May 5,1927 into a prolific Wisconsin political family.

Fred Risser served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1945 to 1946.

Fred Risser was sworn into the Navy shortly before his high school graduation and Victory in Europe Day.

Fred Risser was a medic and served in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Panama Canal Zone.

Fred Risser became a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Oregon State Bar and practiced law in Wisconsin.

Fred Risser was elected to the state Senate in a 1962 special election triggered by the appointment of Horace W Wilkie to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Fred Risser was succeeded in the Wisconsin Assembly by fellow Democrat Edward Nager.

Fred Risser was elected to a full term in 1964 and was reelected every four years until his retirement.

Fred Risser rose through the ranks quickly, becoming the minority leader in 1967, which he credits to his intense study of parliamentary procedure.

Fred Risser continued as until a state constitutional amendment in 1979 separated the offices of Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin and President of the Senate.

Fred Risser held the office of president of the Senate continuously for the next 16 years, until Democrats lost the majority in the 1994 election.

Fred Risser was returned to the office of president every time the Democrats held the majority in the subsequent 20 years.

On March 26,2020, Fred Risser announced that he would not run for re-election in November 2020.

Fred Risser was a delegate to both the 1960 Democratic National Convention and the 1964 Democratic National Convention.

Fred Risser served as the Chair of Wisconsin's Presidential electors during the 1964 presidential election.

Fred Risser is married to Nancy Fred Risser, a retired Spanish teacher.