Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard announces bid for Dane County Executive

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Democratic leader of the state Senate has announced a bid for Dane County executive, a move that means the top leadership position is now up for grabs.

Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) will seek to replace Dane County Executive Joe Parisi who announced in October he will retire next year after severing nearly 13 years in the job. Parisi said he plans to step down in May 2024, which is before his term concludes in 2025.

Senate Democrats will hold an election to name the next minority leader on Friday at 4 p.m.

It comes as Democrats could have a shot of gaining a majority in the chamber if the current legislative maps, that give Republicans an edge, are overturned by the new-liberal controlled state Supreme Court.

Agard served in the state Assembly from 2012 until 2020, when she was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate. Two years later, she was unanimously elected by her Democratic colleagues to serve as Minority Leader in 2022 after Sen. Janet Bewley's (D-Madison) retirement.

She also previously served as Dane County Board Supervisor from 2010-2014.