U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Wisconsin, formally announced Sunday he will run for governor in the 2006 election.
Green announced the initiation of his campaign at a news conference held at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, promising to improve Wisconsin’s economy by reducing the state tax burden.
“We can build a Wisconsin with a vibrant economy that takes advantage of our historic strengths, at the same time we embrace new ideas and technologies,” Green said in a release. “The first step is lowering the barriers that hold entrepreneurs back and push working families down — which means a full-out attack on the tax burden that smothers so many Wisconsin dreams.”
According to Green, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle broke several promises to voters, including his refusal to sign a property tax freeze into law.
Cutting taxes stands as one of Green’s top priorities, and he pledged to do a better job than incumbent Doyle to help reduce Wisconsin’s $1.6 billion deficit.
“Elect me as your governor, and Wisconsin’s tax burden will improve, or I won’t run for re-election,” Green said. “I’ll keep my promise … or step aside for someone who will.”
Green served as a Congressman for six years. Prior to his work in the U.S. House of Representatives, Green was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for six years as well, where he chaired the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
In addition to tax relief, Green also said he would reinforce the “Wisconsin way of life,” again expressing distaste with Doyle for not defining marriage as between one man and one woman, according to a release.
Green will face Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker in the Republican primary in about 18 months. Walker, a Wauwatosa native, also placed tax burden relief as a primary platform in his campaign for governor.
Former College Republican Second Vice Chair Jessi Schober said both Green and Walker would make excellent candidates, and both have the potential to beat incumbent Doyle.
“These are two candidates that are going to stand for what the state is calling for,” Schober said.
Schober believes both of the candidates will center on issues Wisconsinites care about, which is something she believes Doyle has not accomplished.
“[Doyle] hasn’t focused on issues that are definitely in the forefront of the constituents of his own state, such as the photo ID bill … and the property tax freeze,” Schober said.
Green Bay was the kickoff location in his tour across Wisconsin that he said would demonstrate why Doyle is leading Wisconsin in the wrong direction. Green continued his tour in Milwaukee Sunday afternoon and will travel to Milwaukee, Onalaska, Eau Claire and Wausau Monday.
