I can certainly understand why cynicism runs rampant when it comes to evaluating elected officials but its unfair to paint ALL elected officials with the same brush. Our political process has been in place over 200 years and won't be going away soon. Unfortunately the current system does not reward free thinkers. Even now, the Republicans are closely vetting candidates to make sure they tow the party line, before they get ANY support. Moderates need not apply. Granted, there are plenty of slackers holding public office, just as there are in the rest of society. Judy Robson just wasn't one of them.

good riddance !

"contempt is as contempt does. When you approach any politician with such attitude, you will get what you expect."
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Obviously you have not been to DC. Think DMV but without the good cheer. Impressive monuments though. The only high point was seeing all the WW2 vets at the WW2 memorial and the Smithsonian. My point about DC is that you can't approach any politician, they have isolated themselves from the serfs.

How old? The 1987-88 State of Wisconsin Blue Book lists Judy's birthday as November 21, 1939. Doesn't that make her 70? Typical politician!!

Anyone who has been in office since the Reagan administration probably should get out of public life for a while.

Robison's health care stances: Increase requirements that insurance companies have to pay for elective procedures. Steal money from the elderly while lining the pockets of hospitals and other special interest groups in the name of health care reform. Stand strong against advancement of the nursing profession past 1989 by continuing to block education requirements for nurses while requiring increased education requirement for physicians, Physical therapist and certified nursing assistants. Remember last election where even the Gazette a very liberal paper refused to support Robison based on her continued decline in serving the needs of her constituents. While some of you liberal minded may be wishing her well, I am celebrating a victory for common sense.

Bunbun....contempt is as contempt does. When you approach any politician with such attitude, you will get what you expect.

Birdy ...I've lived in both districts during their terms. Panzer did not have a fraction of the integrity of Robson! Panzer always wore her contrived righteousness on her sleeve not only for personal accolades and always for the next election.

"Look at the companies rushing in to take their place and hire all the displaced workers."

Yes, I'm still looking, because we're at the end of a RECESSION. Businesses aren't growing. I can't believe I actually have to explain that.

"Look at the success that Judy and her cronies had in convincing GM that this was the plant that should be reopened after years of buisness bashing rhetoric."

Do you mean the $1 billion that Michigan put into the pot to open a plant for small car prodution, vs. Wisconsin's $400 million? Losing that bid was like dodging a bullet for Wisconsin tax payers. Michigan won't recover anything near that $1 billion.

There is no hatred of Democracy itself but there is a loathing of public “servants” who spend most of their time serving their own interests. The idea that since people may be waking up to how these “servants” have no true interest in their constituents is not to blame for lack of interest in running for office. The process has been corrupted by career bureaucrats and politicians. The system as it has been twisted blocks those who may wish to genuinely serve their country or pounds them into the mold of other political hacks. I wish I could remember the exact line but Douglas Adams summed it up best when he wrote along the lines of those who sought office were automatically disqualified from holding it when discussing the job of president of the galaxy. Makes sense when you see people who make a six figure income (or more) putting so much effort into gaining a five figure salary. We have drifted far from the ideal that leaders would reluctantly put in time in government if asked, then gladly get back to their life as was (kind of a draftee political office holder). The electorate is responsible for this sad state of affairs- this generally comes from the entire “he may be a SOB but he’s our SOB” mentality of political party faithful as well as general laziness of the electorate to even try to understand issues and the ramifications of policies that claim to address them.

I urge people to travel to DC to get the full feel of how politicians have no connection to the public. Walk through the Capitol building and you will feel the contempt in the air for you as a tourist. Why do you think they spent millions for a visitor center where you can take a virtual tour of the Capitol building? It is so the “power elite” don’t have to smell you (actual comment from one of our leaders).

Senator Robson was the first woman to be senate minority leader or senate majority leader? What about Susan Engeleiter and Mary Panzer?

"GM screwed themselves, their workers and our region. Factories were closed all over the nation. Place blame where it belongs"

Look at the companies rushing in to take their place and hire all the displaced workers. Look at the success that Judy and her cronies had in convincing GM that this was the plant that should be reopened after years of buisness bashing rhetoric. The blame is where it belongs.

Severance for Beloit Corp workers? I'm still waiting for mine...

GM screwed themselves, their workers and our region. Factories were closed all over the nation. Place blame where it belongs.

The fact that the area that Robson represents has the highest unemployment in the state is not a coincidence. Words and actions have consequences and when your state senator or state representative takes an anti business stand, business responds either by relocating or choosing not to relocate to that area.

Maybe she is going to open a hookah bar?

Good Riddance!

Well said, PanamaRed. With such irrational hatred of public servants and such distrust of the electorate (even democraacy itself?) as demonstrated on Gazette comment posts, is it any wonder why good people think twice before running for office? It's time to recognize the honorable legislators like Robson and acknowledge they have earned and deserve our sincere thanks for what they have accomplished on OUR behalf.

Well Hank and DiGriz are two individuals who certainly do know what it is to suck, but I feel Ms. Robson has performed admirably representing the 15th Senate District by advocating for workers rights and health care issues. With any luck maybe Hank or DiGriz will run for her Senate seat.

If Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is successful in November, expect to see Robson back in state government. Her pension is based on the salary of her last 3 years of service, not the 22 years she spent in the legislature. Cabinet postions pay $100k, give or take.
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So Robson works for Governor Barrett for 3 years of Barrett's first term, and her pension doubles. She will then be just a year or so away from Social Security age 65 - a double dipper.

Now if only a few more politicians who have held office so long would get the hint and retire for the good of the country, maybe we could break the real root of the partisan logjam that plagues us.

As far as her finances from being in office, it's a public position. With that said, I'm sure those records are at the courthouse.

This is the woman who said most employers were out to screw their employees. The trash is walking itelf to the curb.

Considering the stupidity and the hypocrisy of the people at many town hall meetings it doesn't surprise me. They cry and whine about socialism while on Social Security or Medicaid.

Thanks for serving yourself, Sen. Robson. Best wishes for our future now that you are gone.

Thank you, Judy, for all that you have done for children and families in Rock County.

Like most politicians, Judy was effective for her first and second term, but then became less and less so.

Another testament to term limits.

Just one of MANY legislators who have resigned, or decided not to seek another term. It is happening all over the country at every level of elected governmnet. Who would blame them at this point? The political heat is only going to intensify as things get worse and worse.

Judy Robson's many years of service to southern Wisconsin and will be well-remembered as a very dark and sorrowful time. She should have done this 20 years ago. It is almost sac relig that she compares her retirement to Farve. At least he did something for our state.

Judy Robson's many years service to southern Wisconsin are appreciated and will be well-remembered.

Janesville, and Wisconsin, are truly grateful for Robson's common sense, courage, integrity, and her many years of honorable leadership. Her influence on behalf of her constituency will be sincerely missed and her seat in Madison very hard to fill. Thank you for serving Rock County so well, Judy!

Agreed