Number of Lawyer-Legislators Increases to Nineteen
Control of the State Assembly has shifted from
Republican to Democratic hands this year as a result of the November 4
election, but the balance of power will remain unchanged in the Senate.
Nineteen 2009-10 Session legislators are also attorneys (up from 17 last
session).
Democrats now hold a 52-46-1 majority in the
Assembly (Jeff Wood, who had previously served as a Republican was
reelected to the Assembly as an Independent). Senate Democrats will
continue to hold an 18-15 majority this session.
While all incumbents won reelection in the Senate,
three incumbent Republicans lost Assembly seats (Frank Lasee, 2nd
District; J. A. Hines, 42nd District; and Terry Moulton, 68th District).
Democrats also picked up open Republican seats vacated by Steve Wieckert
(57th District) and Terry Musser (92nd District). Republicans held a
52-47 majority in the 2007-08 Assembly.
“I congratulate Wisconsin's
newly-elected and re-elected legislators,” said State Bar
President Diane Diel. “They face enormous challenges in the months
ahead, including Wisconsin's growing budget deficit –
currently projected to reach $5.4 billion. The state’s fiscal
problems are exacerbated by tight local and county budgets. But we
cannot allow these constraints to diminish our commitment to fair and
effective courts. Bar leaders will work at the state and local
government levels to assure that Wisconsin adequately funds
prosecutors, public defenders, and other key elements of our justice
system. Reaching these goals will require all hands on deck as we work
with the 2009-10 Legislature to deliver justice to
all.”
Attorney legislators who will serve during the
2009-10 Session are:
STATE ASSEMBLY
Pedro
Colon (D-Milwaukee)
David
Cullen (D-Milwaukee)
Mark
Gundrum (R-New Berlin)
Gary
Hebl (D-Sun Prairie)
Mary
Hubler (D-Rice Lake)
Bill
Kramer (R-Waukesha) – not a licensed attorney in
Wisconsin
Fred
Kessler (D-Milwaukee)
Louis
Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point)
Mark
Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls)
Jon
Richards (D-Milwaukee)
Kelda
Helen Roys (D-Madison)
Gary
Sherman (D-Port Wing)
Tony
Staskunas (D-West Allis)
Jim
Ott (R-Mequon)
Rich
Zipperer (R-Pewaukee)
STATE SENATE
Glenn
Grothman (R-West Bend)
Fred
Risser (D-Madison)
Lena
Taylor (D-Milwaukee)
Jim
Sullivan (D-West Allis)
