MONROE - Rep. Steve Hilgenberg, D-Dodgeville, announced Friday he won't seek another term in the Wisconsin Assembly.
"I'm thankful to the people in the 51st District for allowing me to work for them," he said. "I believe I did the best I could."
Hilgenberg cited health reasons as the impetus behind his decision not to run in the November election. Hilgenberg, who is a prostate cancer survivor, said he didn't feel he could do the things necessary, such as going door-to-door, for another campaign.
He made the decision a few weeks ago, he said.
"This was a very, very difficult decision for me," Hilgenberg said.
Hilgenberg said he was proudest of his work for his constituents.
"Legislators usually want to list the laws they've sponsored, but I'm most proud of the work I did on behalf of my constituents," he said. "Being the conduit between the district and the state isn't a partisan thing."
Hilgenberg also said he was proud of how he and other legislators faced the state's economic crisis and budget deficit.
"We were able to get a budget through despite the deficit, and we were able to soften the blows when it came to cuts," he said. "We did it without making huge increases in taxes."
Hilgenberg will continue to hold office until January. He plans to work on a resolution to try to solve the school funding problems.
Hilgenberg was elected to the Assembly in 2006. He is chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and is vice chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs. He also serves on the Education Committee and the Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee.
Hilgenberg lives in Dodgeville with his wife, Mary Mayo.
According to the Associated Press, Hilgenberg is the fourth Democrat and 11th Assembly member overall to announce they will not be seeking another term. Two Republicans and one Democrat in the state Senate are also not running for re-election.
Democrats hold a 52-46 majority in the Assembly and an 18-15 majority in the Senate.
"I'm thankful to the people in the 51st District for allowing me to work for them," he said. "I believe I did the best I could."
Hilgenberg cited health reasons as the impetus behind his decision not to run in the November election. Hilgenberg, who is a prostate cancer survivor, said he didn't feel he could do the things necessary, such as going door-to-door, for another campaign.
He made the decision a few weeks ago, he said.
"This was a very, very difficult decision for me," Hilgenberg said.
Hilgenberg said he was proudest of his work for his constituents.
"Legislators usually want to list the laws they've sponsored, but I'm most proud of the work I did on behalf of my constituents," he said. "Being the conduit between the district and the state isn't a partisan thing."
Hilgenberg also said he was proud of how he and other legislators faced the state's economic crisis and budget deficit.
"We were able to get a budget through despite the deficit, and we were able to soften the blows when it came to cuts," he said. "We did it without making huge increases in taxes."
Hilgenberg will continue to hold office until January. He plans to work on a resolution to try to solve the school funding problems.
Hilgenberg was elected to the Assembly in 2006. He is chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and is vice chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy and Rural Affairs. He also serves on the Education Committee and the Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee.
Hilgenberg lives in Dodgeville with his wife, Mary Mayo.
According to the Associated Press, Hilgenberg is the fourth Democrat and 11th Assembly member overall to announce they will not be seeking another term. Two Republicans and one Democrat in the state Senate are also not running for re-election.
Democrats hold a 52-46 majority in the Assembly and an 18-15 majority in the Senate.