With Democratic U.S. Senator Herb Kohl retiring when his term ends next year, several names have been floated as possible contenders for the seat. Western Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) is among those considering a run.
However, Kind says a decision on whether he’ll leave the House of Representatives is not coming soon. In a statement, the La Crosse Democrat says the campaign to elect Wisconsin’s next senator must not overshadow the current debate in Wisconsin over Republican policies and priorities.
Kind says he’s “appalled” at the damage to the state being done by Governor Scott Walker. Instead of focusing on 2012, he’s urging for his supporters to help with this summer’s recall elections targeting nine state senators.
Other Democrats have also put off announcing a run for now. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has said she’ll announce her plans sometime in July, while former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is expected to make a decision “before Labor Day.”