Only two candidates remain in the race for the Republican nomination for US Senate. However, UW Political Scientist Charles Franklin says businessmen Ron Johnson and David Westlake will need to overcome their outsider status if they hope to compete.
Franklin says both candidates have little experience running campaigns or winning elections, so they haven’t really had to deal with the pressures that come with this type of contest. He says little mistakes or controversial policies are open to a lot more scrutiny now, so both candidates will need to think carefully about their positions.
Right now, Franklin says Johnson is the likely frontrunner for the nomination and has the endorsement of the Republican Party. Although, he remains relatively unknown among voters and only recently entered the race. So, Franklin says Johnson will have to prove he has the political skills that go with his “sudden ascension” in the GOP primary.