The Wisconsin state Senate's top Democrat has decided to leave the body to run for local office next year. Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard of Madison announced Thursday that she will run to replace retiring Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. State law bars her from holding both a Senate and county executive office. Her spokesperson says Agard plans to call for an election to name a new Senate minority leader. Agard's decision comes as the state Supreme Court appears poised to toss out the state's Republican-drawn legislative district boundaries. New maps could help Democrats make gains in both the Assembly and Senate in 2024.
