Russ Decker
Encyclopedia
Russell Decker was a Democratic
member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 29th District from 1991 to 2011. He served as Majority Leader from 2007 until leaving office in January 2011.
Born in Athens, Wisconsin
, Decker graduated from Athens High School, afterward attending Northcentral Technical College
in Wausau, Wisconsin
as an apprentice bricklayer
. He now lives in Schofield, Wisconsin.
Decker was first elected to the Senate in 1990. The day after passage of the 2007-2008 state budget, the Senate Democratic Caucus elected Decker to replace Judy Robson as Majority Leader.
On November 2, 2010, Republican Pam Galloway
defeated Decker in his reelection bid.
. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving with a prohibited blood alcohol content
and had to give up his driver's license for six months.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 29th District from 1991 to 2011. He served as Majority Leader from 2007 until leaving office in January 2011.
Born in Athens, Wisconsin
Athens, Wisconsin
Athens is a village in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,095 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Decker graduated from Athens High School, afterward attending Northcentral Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Northcentral Technical College is a technical college in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA. The district of the college includes all of, or portions of, Marathon, Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Langlade, Menominee, Clark, Portage, Shawano and Waupaca counties. The main campus is located in Wausau...
in Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
as an apprentice bricklayer
Bricklayer
A bricklayer or mason is a craftsman who lays bricks to construct brickwork. The term also refers to personnel who use blocks to construct blockwork walls and other forms of masonry. In British and Australian English, a bricklayer is colloquially known as a "brickie".The training of a trade in...
. He now lives in Schofield, Wisconsin.
Decker was first elected to the Senate in 1990. The day after passage of the 2007-2008 state budget, the Senate Democratic Caucus elected Decker to replace Judy Robson as Majority Leader.
On November 2, 2010, Republican Pam Galloway
Pam Galloway
Dr. Pam Galloway is a Republican member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 29th District since 2011.Galloway graduated with a BA from the University of Chicago in 1976, and earned her MD from the University of Virginia in 1980. Pam is a member of a number of medical committees, and was the...
defeated Decker in his reelection bid.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Senate Organization (Chair)
- Joint Committee on Legislative Organization
- Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions
- Joint Committee on Employment Relations
- Joint Legislative Council
Controversy
In April 2005, Decker was arrested and charged with OWIDriving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of driving with a prohibited blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content , also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes....
and had to give up his driver's license for six months.