Rep. Ron Kind decides against run for Wisconsin governor

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Democratic Rep. Ron Kind said Friday he has decided not to run for governor in Wisconsin, saying that he wants to focus on protecting his district in Congress.

"Recently, many Wisconsinites have come up to me in the grocery store, at the YMCA, at basketball games, and during my travels throughout Wisconsin to encourage me to run for governor," Kind said in a statement. "... I am extremely humbled and appreciative of their trust, confidence, and support. However, after much consideration and consultation with my family, I’ve decided that I will not run for governor in 2018.

Kind's decision to stay in Congress follows months of speculation that Kind could challenge incumbent Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. Kind has represented his rural western Wisconsin district since 1997 and has long been tipped for statewide office. Kind won reelection unopposed in 2016 as President Donald Trump carried his district.

Kind's decision not to run was first reported by The Associated Press. Other potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates include former state Sen. Tim Cullen, current state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/ron-kind-no-wisconsin-governor-bid-235925

[dembotoz]

1. Little statewide support

[Still In Wisconsin]

2. Damn. I'm not a huge fan of Kind, but I think he could have beaten Walker.

Kind would cut into the massive advantages Walker has had among rural voters, maybe enough to knock him off. The Wisconsin Democratic Party apparatus is in such a state of disarray that I worry we won't have anyone running with a realistic shot of beating Governor Baldspot. Vinehout might be able to do it but our inept Party leader torpedoed her the last two times around.

[riversedge]

3. I was hoping Kind would run. darn. But I also like Kathleen Vinehout--she is in many

ways a policy wonk--intelligent and can out talk anyone intellectually. Wish we could get into the governorship.

[Still In Wisconsin]

4. Senator Vinehout is also a farm woman- literally.

She understands rural voters because she IS a rural voter, as are all her neighbors. I really believe that anyone who can cut into Walker's advantages in the more outlying parts of the state will beat him- and that anyone who can't, won't. One doesn't have to beat him in the rural parts of the state, what's needed is to just cut into his advantage there.

[mascarax]

5. Is Vinehout up for Senate in 2018?

Wondering if she'd be giving up her seat.
I would like to see her run.