Contenders for the Republican Senate primary may be facing a more competitive race, as former Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce Dick Leinenkugel is expected to announce his candidacy in Janesville Monday.
Leinenkugel resigned from his post earlier this month and has since declined to comment on whether rumors of his joining the Senatorial race had any part to play in the decision.
“I am privileged to have led Wisconsin’s Department of Commerce over the past 18 months,” Leinenkugel said in a statement. “I know the team at Commerce will continue to drive economic growth while promoting safe and healthy communities.”
Brian Christianson, spokesperson for Leinenkugel’s campaign, declined to comment on the content of his announcement.
Currently, there are two other Republicans running for the seat: Businessmen Dave Westlake and Terrence Wall. There had been speculation that former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson may join the race, however Thompson announced he would not be running at the Tea Party rally at the Capitol a few weeks ago.
Kristin Ruesch, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said she is not surprised more candidates are deciding to challenge Sen. Russ Feingold.
“Russ Feingold is vulnerable and there’s a lot of people who are recognizing this,” Ruesch said. “I think that the more attention we can draw to Feingold’s record the better, and if more candidates help draw a contrast between the GOP and Russ Feingold’s big spending… the better that will be for Republicans.”
Wall’s campaign issued a statement earlier this month welcoming Leinenkugel to the race and the Republican party. However, Wall said believes he will have to answer to voters for supporting many of Gov. Jim Doyle’s initiatives, like the 2009-2010 state budget and business deal with Spanish train manufacturer Talgo.
He is looking forward to a vigorous campaign that will focus on how to turn the state and country around.
Trevor Miller, spokesperson for Feingold’s Senate campaign, also issued a statement regarding the rumors of Leinenkugel running, and he said Feingold will continue to engage with Wisconsin citizens while Republicans fight internally.
“The Republican Party will be engaged in an intramural fight for the next five months that is likely to expose deep divisions within the party. In the meantime, the Feingold campaign will continue to build a strong grassroots campaign in every Wisconsin community,” Miller said in the statement.
University of Wisconsin political science professor Barry Burden said in an e-mail to The Badger Herald it will be an ?uphill battle? if Leinenkugel decides to run, although he could certainly steal some of the attention away from Wall.
“Although [Leinenkugel] has name recognition, private wealth and government experience, there are a number of factors working against him. He’ll need to raise a lot of money and create a campaign organization in a short period of time. And there will be at least two other Republicans to face in the September primary,” Burden wrote.
