Luther Olsen, a moderate GOP senator who sometimes clashes with his party, announces retirement

MADISON - The Wisconsin state Legislature's shrinking group of moderate Republicans will grow even smaller when a prominent voice for public schools leaves the Senate next year.

Sen. Luther Olsen of Ripon, chairman of the Senate's education committee and member of the Legislature's budget-writing committee, said Monday he won't seek re-election — retiring from the Legislature after 26 years.

"If I run again, within two months of being sworn in I'll be 70," Olsen said in an interview. "It's just time to do something else and enjoy life while my health is good."

Olsen leaves as somewhat of a misfit within his own caucus, which has just a handful of moderate Republicans — a marked shift from levels when Olsen entered the Legislature in 1994. 

"Both parties are going to the right and the left ... it's really pretty awesome that personally and professionally that the time to retire matches," Olsen said. 

Olsen's reputation was built in part on his positions on education, which have drawn criticism from his own colleagues, like his advocacy for more funding for public schools and skepticism of the expansion of a taxpayer-funded private school program. 

"One of the biggest roadblocks to school reform and accountability in the legislature is finally gone," Republican Rep. Joe Sanfelippo of New Berlin tweeted on Monday about Olsen's retirement. 

Olsen, a former Berlin school board president, supports a private school voucher program that serves families who are living in poverty but has criticized his party's effort to expand the taxpayer-funded subsidies to wealthier families. 

"I get concerned (when at) any amount of income kids will be able to go to a private school and I don't think the state's got enough money to do that," he said Monday. "Expanding it too much is going to be really expensive."

Olsen also became the target of his party in 2014 after he blocked legislation that could lead to the repeal of the academic standards known as Common Core.

At the Republican Party of Wisconsin's convention that year, Republicans in the 6th Congressional District — where Olsen lives — drafted a no-confidence resolution against him over his support of the academic expectations, which were viewed by some as allowing federal control over local schools. 

Democrats also have gone after Olsen, who survived a recall attempt in 2011 brought over his vote to approve legislation known as Act 10, which effectively eliminated collective bargaining for most public workers — including public school teachers. 

While Olsen's relationship with public school advocates has been complicated, most view him as one of the most effective advocates within the GOP-controlled Legislature for more school funding. 

But Olsen leaves without passing legislation he has called for to overhaul the way schools in Wisconsin are funded, by spending more on students who live in poverty — an idea unsuccessfully proposed five times by Tony Evers when he was state superintendent and now as governor. 

"People say 'well, if you give (schools) more money, then you should see better results, but there are other factors," Olsen said about opposition from his GOP colleagues, referring to the effects hunger and unstable housing can have on students' performance. "It costs more to educate students who come from poverty."

As soon as Olsen made his announcement, Rep Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan, said she would get in the race for Senate. She touted her work on suicide prevention and mental health and said she would emphasize how responsive she has been to her constituents since she was elected to the Assembly in 2004.

“Providing that good service is something that will continue in the Senate district, just like it’s been kind of my hallmark in the 41st Assembly District — that promise to folks that I will work with people, will represent them and be their voice in Madison,” she said.

Ballweg, a former mayor of Markesan, owns a farm equipment business in Waupun and a lawn equipment store in Beaver Dam. 

Rep. Jon Plumer, R-Lodi, also said he and his family would spend the next few days talking about whether he should run for Olsen's seat. He said he talked to Olsen on Sunday and was surprised he wasn't seeking another term.

"It's short notice and we're thinking it over," he said. 

Olsen is the third senator and first Republican to announce he will not seek re-election this fall. Democratic Sens. Mark Miller of Monona and Dave Hansen also are not running for another term.

More turnover is likely. Four senators are seeking other offices, and if they win would likely leave the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, is running for a congressional seat in suburban Milwaukee, Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua is running for a congressional district in the North Woods, Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, is running for Milwaukee County executive, and Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, is running for Milwaukee mayor.

Olsen cited Fitzgerald's departure from the Senate as a factor in his decision. Fitzgerald in a statement called Olsen "a fighter" for his district.

"His constituents were always well represented by his voice in Madison and he played an important role in our conservative reforms during the last decade," Fitzgerald said. I’ve greatly enjoyed serving with him in the Legislature, and wish him well in retirement with his family."

Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.