Lieutenant Gov. Barbara Lawton said Monday in an Associated Press article she would consider running for governor in 2010 if Gov. Jim Doyle decides not to run for re-election.
However, Lawton said she could not imagine a situation where she would run against Doyle, saying he is still undecided about running for re-election.
When asked if I would consider running I said yes because I see tremendous potential for the state of Wisconsin from my front-row seat,"" she said.
Mike Edmondson, Doyle's campaign finance director, said the governor is still undecided on whether he will seek a third term.
""He's focused on protecting education, creating jobs and expanding health care, not on political campaigns that may or may not occur at the end of the decade,"" Edmondson said.
The governor is focused on doing what's right for the people of Wisconsin, according to Edmondson, and campaign operations are in place to make sure Doyle is in the best position to make a decision when the time comes.
Lawton said her focus is on her agenda as lieutenant governor and holding up her record of being proactive and productive.
""I see how we can harvest the talents of the people here and build an extraordinary state, a model for the world,"" she said. ""But, beyond that, this is the first that I've uttered those words.""
Kirsten Kukowski, the communications director of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said the Republican Party would not be concerned if Lawton ran for governor. She said the party is focusing on more timely issues besides the gubernatorial race.
""Lawton would have a hard time in her own primary, so we are not really worried about it at all,"" Kukowski said.
