WASHINGTON, DC (WSAU) — One day earlier than expected, US Senator Ron Johnson has announced his intentions to run for a third term in Washington.
“In 2010, I promised I would always tell people the truth and that I would never vote with re-election in mind. An extension of that promise is that I don’t conduct myself worrying about re-election. When re-election is not your primary motivation, those are easy promises to keep – and I have faithfully done so. That attitude is relatively unique in Washington, and it may be one reason why many appreciate having me involved in the national debate,” said Senator Johnson in a press release.
“So today, I am announcing I will continue to fight for freedom in the public realm by running for re-election. It is not a decision I have made lightly. Having already experienced a growing level of vitriol and false attacks, I certainly don’t expect better treatment in the future. In order for my campaign to succeed, I will need the support of every Wisconsinite who values the truth and refuses to allow lies and distortions to prevail,” Johnson concluded.
The Oshkosh native had previously said he would not seek a third term in Washington, but his tone on that changed in recent weeks including in an interview with Capital City Sunday in Madison where he recently stated that he was concerned about the direction the country was headed under Democratic leadership.
Democrats currently hold a majority in the House and while the Senate is at an even 50/50 split, they are considered the majority with Vice President Kamala Harris casting all tiebreaking votes.
Johnson’s announcement came Sunday morning, one day earlier than had been previously anticipated. Reports leaked on Friday that Johnson’s announcement would come in a video on Monday.
It also follows a similar announcement from another high-ranking Republican in the upper chamber. South Dakota’s John Thune announced his intention to run for another six-year term on Saturday after it was previously reported that he was contemplating retirement.
Thune’s seat is considered safe for Republicans, as Democrats have seemingly become an endangered species in South Dakota. No Democrat has won a statewide election since 2008 when Tim Johnson defeated Joel Dykstra for a seat in the US Senate.
Thune ran unopposed in 2010 and defeated businessman Jay Williams in 2016 with nearly 72% of the vote.
Johnson will likely face either Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes or State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski in November. They are leading a crowded field for the Democratic primary which also includes former Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson.
Shortly after Johnson’s announcement, Barnes released the following statement: “The only people celebrating Ron Johnson’s announcement are his donors and the corporate special interest groups he’s bailed out time and time again. Let’s get to work and retire this failed senator.”
