Sen. Cullen decides to leave Democratic caucus

Tim Cullen

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Democratic state senator says he has quit his party’s caucus after Majority Leader Mark Miller offered him a weak committee chairmanship post.

Sen. Tim Cullen of Janesville said Miller insulted him by offering him the chairmanship of the Small Business and Tourism Committee. Cullen turned the position down, saying the panel doesn’t matter, and Miller responded by making him the only Senate Democrat without any committee chairmanship.

Cullen said he will no longer join Senate Democrats’ meetings and is considering whether to become an independent.

Miller’s spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

Democrats currently hold a 17-16 edge in the Senate. That will jump to 17-15 next month after Sen. Rich Zipperer, a Pewaukee Republican, leaves to join Gov. Scott Walker’s staff.