MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin state Senate's top Democrat announced Thursday that she's going to leave the body to run for local office in 2024.
Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard of Madison said she will run to replace retiring Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. State law specifically bars her from holding both a Senate office and a county executive office simultaneously for more than two months.
“I’m excited to embark on this next chapter of service to my community, to our community, and I’m humbly asking for your trust and support by electing me to be the next Dane County Executive,” Agard said during a press conference Thursday.
Agard's spokesperson, Aaron Collins, said Agard plans to convene her fellow Democrats for an election to name a new minority leader “in the near future.” He said no date has been set yet, though.
Sen. Kelda Roys of Madison, who attended Agard's announcement event, plans to run for the leadership spot and has begun circulating a letter to her colleagues.
“I feel very encouraged and really appreciate the support of so many of my colleagues," Roys said when asked. "I think it has been challenging so far this session to be in the minority, but at the same time I’m really proud of the work we’ve done together, and I know that we are great collaborators and we’re a strong mighty team, and we’re going to grow that team.”
Other possible candidates include Sens. Dianne Hesselbein of Madison and Jeff Smith of Brunswick.
State Rep. Melissa Ratcliff, a Cottage Grove Democrat, announced Thursday morning that she plans to run for Agard's open seat next fall.
“It would be an honor to represent the people of the 16th Senate District, which includes communities I work in and know well,” Ratcliff said in a statement. “In the Assembly, I have championed reproductive rights, fair maps, expanding broadband, equal rights and safety for our LGBTQ+ residents, and services for veterans and seniors. This is an exciting opportunity to take my leadership to the State Senate and to amplify and expand the work we have been doing.”
The jockeying comes as the state Supreme Court's liberal majority appears poised to invalidate Republican-drawn legislative district boundaries, perhaps by the end of the year. Agard acknowledged that looming ruling played a role in her decision.
“That did weigh into my decision," Agard explained. "Quite frankly I’ve been working very hard for my entire career to get to this point where we can turn this corner and ensure that the will of the people is actually the law of the land in the state of Wisconsin, but I know also that the state government needs strong partners in their local governments to be able to lift up the voices and the values of the people that actually live within those communities.”
The boundaries have helped the GOP maintain control of both the Senate and Assembly since 2012. Republicans currently hold a 22-11 majority in the Senate and a 64-35 majority in the Assembly. New maps could help Democrats gain seats in both chambers.