Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann said Thursday he is planning to run for governor in 2010.
Neumann, a Republican, confirmed his intentions to run in an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal.
He served in Congress from 1995 to 1998, representing the 1st Congressional District of Wisconsin. In 1998, Neumann narrowly lost to U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., in the race for the U.S. Senate seat.
Neumann will likely vie for the GOP nomination against Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, who is expected to announce his candidacy next week.
Neumann's announcement comes only days after Jim Klauser, former secretary of administration to former Gov. Tommy Thompson, penned an open letter backing Neumann as a gubernatorial candidate.
""I have been heavily involved in four successful Republican gubernatorial campaigns. Based on that experience I have concluded that of the prospective candidates, Mark Neumann is best able to win and govern well,"" Klauser wrote.
Gov. Jim Doyle has not announced a run for re-election, but has been raising funds.
