The field of candidates vying to challenge Gov. Scott Walker in his likely recall election will expand Thursday when Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette declares his candidacy.
The seven-term Secretary of State and relative of former Wisconsin Gov. Robert M. La Follette pointed to his statewide recognition, the strong support he has among independents and record of winning as reasons he would make a good candidate.
“Tomorrow morning on my way to work ...I’m going to stop at the Government Accountability Board and file for a possible run for governor,” La Follette said Wednesday.
La Follette said he has been getting a lot of support on his Facebook page and website from around the state, but added to really gage his popularity among voters he needs to officially declare candidacy.
“The statewide polls so far have only included two or three candidates because some of them have made the formal step of filing papers,” La Follette said. “I’ve not been included in those polls, so it is hard to assess my total strength across the state.”
In a speech on Feb. 1, La Follette said he would limit any campaign contributions to him to $20 if running for governor.
The recall election has not been confirmed, as the GAB is still verifying that enough valid signatures were gathered, but it will likely take place this summer.
State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, and former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk are the only other candidates to officially declare their candidacy so far. Speculation surrounding Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett entering the race intensified when he made an appearance on “Up Front with Mike Gousha” Sunday.
Barrett, who lost to Walker in the 2010 election, said he is “seriously considering” running in the likely recall election.
