Governor Scott Walker confirms his appointment of state Senate Republican Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls as Wisconsin’s new agriculture secretary. The possibility has been discussed for weeks, and the speculation picked up steam the past few days. The 61-year-old Harsdorf is resigning her Senate seat today (Friday) after 25 years in the Legislature — and she’ll start Monday as Wisconsin’s first female agriculture secretary, a job once held by her brother Jim Harsdorf — and by another former legislator, Ben Brancel who retired in August. A special election will be held to replace Harsdorf in the Senate. There’s talk that Assembly Republican Adam Jarchow of Balsam Lake might seek a promotion to the upper house.