Former Wisconsin Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson today endorsed Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald’s run for the 5th CD.
“The voters of the 5th Congressional District will be well served with Scott Fitzgerald as their congressman. I hope others will join me in supporting him,” Nicholson said in a release.
The Marine Corps veteran, who lost to former state Sen. Leah Vukmir in last fall’s Republican primary, was considered to be a potential rival in the 5th CD. But Nicholson said he was focused on “growing the conservative movement in Wisconsin” and “preparing to win a statewide race in 2022.”
Statewide seats up in 2022 include the governorship and a Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh. Johnson in 2016 pledged to retire after his current term but walked those comments back at this year’s state GOP convention.
Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, is the only Republican to enter the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, though a number of prominent conservatives have passed on a bid.
They include: Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow; former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch; State Rep. Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee; Ben Voelkel, an aide to GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson; and Matt Walker, son of former Gov. Scott Walker.
A source close to state Sen. Chris Kapenga told WisPolitics.com in September that the Delafield Republican intends to mount a bid.
On the Dem side, Tom Palzewicz has announced plans to run. He lost to Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls, last year with 38 percent of the vote.
See the release:
https://www.wispolitics.com/2019/fitzgerald-campaign-announces-nicholson-endorsement-for-fifth-congressional-bid/
