Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, one of former President Donald Trump’s biggest backers, announced Sunday that he will seek reelection in the battleground state, ending months of speculation about whether he would go for a third term.
The race is sure to be one of the most hotly contested in the country next year in purple Wisconsin. President Joe Biden won the state by fewer than 21,000 votes in 2020 after a similarly narrow win by Trump in 2016. Johnson won by nearly 5 points in 2010, his first race for office, and then by just over 3 points in 2016. Both times he defeated Democrat Russ Feingold.
But Johnson rescinded the pledge in the lead-up to announcing his reelection bid, saying circumstances have changed after Democrats won the White House and control of Congress. on Friday that there is “zero chance” of the Legislature taking over the awarding of the state’s 10 presidential elector votes in 2024.“Having already experienced a growing level of vitriol and false attacks, I certainly don’t expect better treatment in the future,” he said in his announcement. “An extension of that promise is that I don’t conduct myself worrying about re-election," he wrote.
Johnson’s decision also has ripple effects on Wisconsin’s governor’s race. Kevin Nicholson, a former Marine who ran for U.S. Senate and lost in the GOP primary in 2018, has said he would run for governor if Johnson sought reelection.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson will seek reelectionMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, one of former President Donald Trump’s biggest backers, announced Sunday that he will seek reelection in the battlegr…
Read more »
Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson to run for re-electionNEW: Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson to run for re-election after previously saying he'd only serve two terms
Read more »
GOP Sen. Ron Johnson announces re-election bid with midterms looking favorable for RepublicansThe loyal Trump ally, elected in 2010, previously pledged to serve only two terms.
Read more »