Former state Senator Van Wanggaard, who lost the seat in a 2012 recall, made it official Wednesday; he’s running for election next year. Surrounded by Republican leaders from Racine and Kenosha Counties and several of his former legislative colleagues, Wanggaard told a crowd in Union Grove he wants to give a voice to the thousands of citizens who couldn’t vote in the recall election that cost him his seat.
“There’s about 70,000 people that didn’t have an opportunity to vote for a senator in this recall. So those are the people I’m going to be meeting over the next 15 months up this election,” he said, referring to the 21st District boundaries that now include additional areas of Southeast Wisconsin.
The Republican controlled Legislature drew new electoral boundaries favorable to the GOP, changes which took effect after Wanggaard’s recall.
Wanggaard said he plans to continue efforts he started during his two years in the legislature including lowering taxes, protecting our communities and families, and creating jobs.
Lehman has not confirmed he’s running again. The election will be in November of 2014.
AUDIO: WRJN’s Janet Hoff reports (1:13)