Democrats pick Risser, Decker as co-leaders
10:48 PM 10/21/02
Tom Sheehan State government reporter

Senate Democrats bounced Chuck Chvala from his leadership post Monday, but they had trouble deciding whether they wanted budget negotiator Russ Decker or Senate President Fred Risser to take over.

They chose both.

Decker of Schofield and Risser of Madison together will assume the duties of Senate majority leader until the group decides on a more permanent replacement after the Nov. 5 election.

The unanimous decision came during a Senate Democratic caucus meeting, after two tie votes and more than three hours of open deliberations mixed with private hallway conversations at the Capitol.

The group, which isn't considered a formal part of the Legislature and doesn't have to meet openly, also voted by secret ballot to remove Chvala from the Senate's top post. They resisted efforts by Sen. Gwendolynne Moore of Milwaukee to close the meeting.

Chvala was charged in Dane County Circuit Court last week with 20 felonies, including extortion, misconduct in public office and violation of campaign finance laws. Decker and Senate Assistant Majority Leader Rod Moen of Whitehall appeared to be finalists heading into Monday's meeting.

But Moen said Monday he dropped out when it became clear he wouldn't get the necessary 10 votes for a majority. Decker declared last week he had enough votes, but his voting margin dwindled as a reluctant Risser entered the race Monday.

Risser said he would have preferred to wait for the group to pick a new leader but campaigned for himself at the prompting of others. Democrats hope to retain a majority in the Senate, where they hold an 18-15 edge.

"My goal is to see we do what is best for our Democratic candidates," Risser said. "We want to make sure they have every chance to win and don't get bogged down in the caucus."

Risser could be viewed as a less volatile choice for Senate Democrats seeking re-election and who want to distance themselves from Chvala. Chvala and Decker, who serves on the Joint Finance Committee, handle much of the party's budget negotiations.

Sen. Kim Plache, D-Racine, who faces a tough re-election bid, first nominated Risser alone to serve as majority leader. Plache also made the motion to remove Chvala from leadership and proposed the final compromise involving both Decker and Risser.

Supporters of Decker said his election as majority leader would have sent a decisive message to voters and Republicans about who will lead the party for the long term. Monday's vote was a short-term solution to a leadership crisis and doesn't necessary reflect a lack of confidence in Decker, several senators said after the meeting.

Although party leadership votes have been contentious and resulted in ties before, Monday's vote was unique because of the criminal charges against Chvala and the fast-approaching Nov. 5 general election, Risser said.