MADISON — After 24 years in the Assembly, State Rep. Terry Musser, R-Black River Falls, will not seek re-election this fall.

The announcement, confirmed by his staff this morning, leaves Republican Dan Hellman, of Sparta, and Democrat Mark Radcliffe, of Black River Falls, as the only registered candidates in the 92nd Assembly District election this fall.
Musser's victories in recent elections have narrowed from a 3,919-vote margin in 2004 over Democrat challenger Michael Taft to 1,495 votes in 2006 over Democrat D. Curtis Miller.

Musser told John Colbert, of WIBA radio in Madison, that he is “fed up” with Capitol politics, which Musser said have become more “nasty, vicious and petty.”

However, the main reason for not seeking re-election was the rough reception he received earlier this year from fellow Republicans for co-sponsoring a bill to require hospitals to provide the morning-after contraceptive to rape victims.

When signing the bill into law, Governor Jim Doyle singled out Musser for praise, to which Musser quipped, “Don’t remind my caucus.”

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