WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Jennifer Shilling Sworn in as 32nd State Senator

Jennifer Shilling Sworn in as 32nd State Senator

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Jennifer Shilling is now officially the state senator for District 32.

She was sworn in Saturday morning after winning a recall election against Dan Kapanke earlier this month.

 Shilling was sworn in by Wisconsin's Chief Supreme Court Justice and told a room full of spectators she feels a bit like a student "switching schools in the middle of the year."

 The new senator says she's excited about the opportunities and responsibilities that title brings, although Shilling says she is sad to leave her position in the Assembly.

She had served as the representative for La Crosse since 2000. Right now she says she's just trying to "get her senate legs under her."

When she gets to Madison, she's hoping to help diffuse the recent hostilities that have been present between Democrats and Republicans since last spring.

"I've been one that wants to reach across the aisle and work with my colleagues on the other side when there are opportunities for bi-partisanship but it's just those baby steps that we need to take about creating trust amongst our colleagues in both the assembly and the senate. And I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and work with my new democratic colleagues and with my new republican colleagues as well," said Shilling.

The Senate will reconvene on the floor September 13th. Shilling says she hopes to get involved right away with committees for health care and higher education, among other things.

She was actively involved with both of those causes during her time in the assembly.