Luther Olson Won’t Seek Re-Election

He survived a 2011 recall attempt, and also served as head of the Senate’s Education Committee. Now he has decided to step away from the political spotlight and won’t run for re-election. 

Luther Olsen announced Monday that it’s time to let other people take charge in Madison. Olson says his proudest work for the state was the state’s graduated licensing law, which helped reduce teen driving crashes and deaths by 15 percent.

Olsen was first elected to the assembly in 1994, and moved to a senate seat in 2004. Assemblywoman Joan Ballweg has already announced her candidacy for the seat.