Shelia Stubbs

After State Sen. Fred A. Risser (D-Madison) announced today that he would be retiring after 64 years in office, State Rep. Shelia Stubbs said Thursday afternoon that she is seriously considering a run for that open Senate seat to represent Wisconsin’s 26th District.

“Let me say that I have the utmost respect for Sen. Risser and Rep. Chris Taylor,” Stubbs tells Madison365. Taylor announced today that she will not seek re-election to the state Assembly after almost a decade of serving. “I wish them both the best in the next chapter of their lives.

“I am very interested and very excited about the idea of running for the Senate seat but I need to talk to my family and to people in the community first,” Stubbs adds. “I’m very excited about following Sen. Risser’s history-making service by making a little history myself and possibly becoming the first African-American female state senator from Dane County.”

Risser, 92, is the longest-serving state or national legislator in U.S. history. Stubbs is currently the first African-American to represent Madison and Dane County in the Wisconsin Assembly.

“I was very surprised to hear the news of Sen. Risser today and my phone has been ringing off the hook,” Stubbs says. “This is a big day. Two amazing people – Sen. Risser and Rep. Taylor. I wish them all the best!”

Aisha Moe and Nada Elmikshafi have already announced their candidacies for the Democratic primary for Wisconsin’s 26th district.