A few months ago, Wisconsin Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) began to question whether he should run for office in 2022. He said that made him think it was time to give up the District 27 seat after 23 years of holding the office.

"It's time for something different, time for something new," he said.

Erpenbach said he first ran for the seat because he was part of the State Assembly staff and wanted to make a bigger difference in the lives of Wisconsinites.

"My kids were small at the time, and I come from a politically active family–my parents were on the Middleton City Council. I knew I had to run for office now or find some other way to help," he recalled.

There are two pieces of legislation that Erpenbach said he is proud to have worked on. The first was a health care act for the state, which became moot when the federal government passed the American Care Act.

The second, and probably his most famous piece of legislation, was a statewide, "Do Not Call List," which received bipartisan support. It was also a forerunner to the federal Do Not Call List.

He said he is most frustrated by the state's inability or unwillingness to pass the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Something he has worked toward for years.

"Those in leadership still see it as a gateway drug," he added. "Everyone knows someone that uses it for medical purposes, and if you don't, you aren't paying attention."

He said that the use of CBD oil is legal, but manufacturing and bringing it across state lines is not. "Law abiding citizens are forced to break the law," he said.

He said he is also dismayed with the legislature blocking Gov. Tony Evers' legislation. "We need to move forward, attract jobs and provide opportunities for the kids in our state," he reminded.

Looking back, Erpenbach said that when he started the Wisconsin Supreme Court was not partisan, but he has watched as it has increasingly become a matter of Republican or Democrat, although the seats are considered non-partisan.

There has been an increase in far left and far right ideologies, and Erpenbach said this is leading to the decay of our democracy and less contested primaries. "Then you take them and put them in a room together expecting them to get along," he stated. "They all want some kind of future for our kids, but by listening, you would never know. It's that extreme ideology that is holding us back, and they hide behind misinterpretation of the law."

He said he also favors full disclosure for political action committees (PACs) and said money in politics has always been a problem, but has worsened.

"A lot of things need to change, in my opinion. Not to be an alarmist, but our democracy is barely hanging on right now," he stated.

Still, Erpenbach believes in the system and believes that as a senator he represents everyone in the district, whether they see eye to eye or not. "Not all of my constituents agree with me, not all of them like me, I know that, but I still represent them. I still work for them," he said. "It's important to talk with people we disagree with."

In his final year in office, Erpenbach is working on a bill to extend license plate renewal to include the entire month of an owner's birthday. Currently, plates expire on a specific date, whereas other states give the registrant their entire birthday month to renew.

"Technically, you can get a ticket for it, but most everyone I talked to had no idea," he said.

Erpenbach said he has worked closely with the Transportation Committee Chair Jerry Petrowski on the bill, which has bi-partisan support.

The committees Erpenbach currently serves on include the Committee on Agriculture and Tourism; Committee on Finance; Committee on Health; Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges; Joint Committee on Finance; and Joint Legislative Council.

The best part of the job, he said is helping people. "If someone is taking the time to call us, they are really in need of help. I have the best staff, and the district is better off for those that work in my office than they are me."

As for what the future holds for Erpenbach, he isn't sure. "I don't know, I just know I'm not going to be in the state senate anymore. Maybe I'll go back to radio," he said referring to his time as a radio personality.

"The increase in technical jobs and growth, it's been great to see. It's a great district and I love it. I am extremely grateful that they (voters) have given me 24 years," he concluded.