After John Lehman's victory in the SD-21 recall election gave Wisconsin Democrats control of the Wisconsin State Senate, Tim Cullen was offered to chair the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism, and, instead of accepting the offer, turned it down and left the Democratic caucus altogether!
Cullen, in a letter to Wisconsin State Senate Democrats, made these remarks:
Sen. Miller’s decisions are an insult to me and the people of the 15th Senate District. I came back to Madison to do what I could to help the Rock County area recover and make a difference on issues where I have some knowledge based on my background, which includes 20 years in the private health care industry, experience on the Janesville School Board, and service as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services.
Sen. Miller has made clear that he does not value or need my presence in Senate Committee leadership and, quite obviously, in the Senate Democratic Caucus.
He has made his decision, and now I will make mine. As of the sending of this email, I am no longer a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Senate Majority Leader Mark Miller made this statement about Cullen's hissy fit:
I am disappointed in Senator Cullen and the decision he made today. Senator Cullen turned down the chairmanship of the Committee on Small Business Development and Tourism. He told me that if that was the committee offered to him, he would rather chair no committee at all. It was an important committee as small business is the economic engine for Wisconsin.
I'm just going to let Miller and Cullen's remarks speak for themselves, as I am absoultely disgusted by Tim Cullen's royal fit after being offered a committee chairmanship he didn't want.