State Sen. Jennifer Shilling Will Not Seek Re-Election

Democratic state Sen. Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse announced Thursday on Twitter she wouldn’t be seeking re-election.

“Today I announce I will not seek re-election to the State Senate. It was not an easy decision, but I know it is time to put my family first and look to a future where I can put away my little red suitcase that has accompanied me on my weekly travels to Madison for the past 20 yrs,” she wrote in the tweet.

Shilling said her decision was influenced by her sons growing up, stating “the time with our boys at home is fading.”

Shilling, the Senate’s Democratic minority leader, has represented La Crosse in the state Senate since being elected in a 2011 recall election. Prior to that, she served as a state representative for 10 years.

“From dairy breakfasts, community events, and business tours to parades, school visits, and disaster recovery efforts, you showed me what perseverance, ingenuity, and strength looks like across the Driftless Region,” Shilling said of her constituents in the 32nd Senate District.

Former Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke of La Crosse had already announced earlier this year that he planned to run for Shilling’s seat. Shilling defeated Kapanke to win the district in 2011.

Shilling is just the latest Wisconsin Democrat to announce plans to leave the Senate. Already, Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Gay, Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison have announced their retirements. Miller and Risser represent safely Democratic seats, but Hansen and Shilling’s districts are more competitive.

Editor’s note: This story will be updated.