Zipperer Resigns Senate Seat to Join Walker Staff

A series of changes is leaving the Senate Democrats with a 17-15 majority and shuffling staff in the Walker Administration.

Sen. Rich Zipperer, who currently represents the 33rd District, will resign his Senate seat and take on the role of Walker’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel on August 6. The heavily Republican district will hold a special election to fill the open seat. Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Village of Pewaukee) has already announced he will run for Zipperer’s seat, and Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) is reportedly considering throwing his hat in the ring.

Walker’s current Deputy Chief of Staff, Ryan Murray, will take over as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. He will begin his new role on July 30.

WEDC’s current COO, Mike Klosinski, is being reassigned as WEDC’s chief financial officer. Eric Schroeder, the current CFO, is leaving the agency for the private sector.

Walker is also bringing in a new communications director. Jocelyn Webster, currently the communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Administration, will leave that position to join the Governor’s staff. Her first day will be July 24.