Shilling won’t seek re-election in 32nd Senate district

Jennifer Shilling has decided to not seek re-election after serving in the Wisconsin state legislature for 20 years.

The state Senator from La Crosse has held many roles, including her work on the Joint Finance Committee and Senate Democratic Leader more recently.

Shilling wrote in an on-line statement it was time to put her family first, as her sons are now in Middle and High School.

She also thanked voters and colleagues in the legislature, and ended by saying she leaves with no regrets.

Representative Jill Billings and Senator Gordon Hintz thanked Shilling for her service and dedication in press releases.

Shilling attended UW-L, and was elected to the La Crosse County Board while in college.

She joined the legislature in 2000, representing the 95th Assembly District before unseating Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke in a 2011 recall race which followed the passage of the Act 10 collective bargaining bill.

In the 2016 election, she narrowly defeated Kapanke again to maintain her Senate seat.

A few weeks ago, Kapanke announced his plan to challenge Shilling once again in November.