Sean Duffy - No 2018 Senate Run

I'm disappointed that Sean Duffy has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

He was my first choice to take on Tammy Baldwin.

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

Republican Congressman Sean Duffy’s announcement Thursday that he won’t run for the U.S. Senate in 2018 sets up another potentially crowded GOP primary for the seat.

The names of at least five potential candidates have emerged in recent weeks, with four of them — state Sen. Leah Vukmir, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, Madison businessman Eric Hovde and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson — telling the Wisconsin State Journal on Thursday they are considering a run.

The fifth, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, didn’t respond to an interview request but tweeted praise for Duffy’s leadership. He previously said he would await Duffy’s decision before deciding whether to get in the race.

Republicans see U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Madison Democrat, as vulnerable, especially after Donald Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since 1984.

“The one thing that we learned during the entire presidential election cycle is the regular rules of thumb were thrown out the window,” Vukmir said.

...

In a statement, Duffy said he’s not running for family reasons.

“After much prayer and deliberation, Rachel and I have decided that this is not the right time for me to run for Senate. We have eight great kids and family always comes first,” Duffy said. “Baldwin will be beat because her radically liberal Madison record and ideas are out of (sync) with Wisconsin. I look forward to helping our Republican nominee defeat her.”

...

It’s possible Duffy is looking ahead to an open Senate seat in 2022 when U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson’s second term ends, Scholz said. Johnson, an Oshkosh Republican, said during his recent re-election campaign that he wouldn’t run for a third term.

“It’s likely by that time everybody will be looking to him as the candidate,” Scholz said. “Young. Money in the bank. Leader in the state. The Republican Party will wrap its arms around him.”

I respect Duffy's decision not to run for the Senate in 2018. While I'm sorry he won't be the one to challenge Tammy Baldwin, I do hope he's considering a run in 2022.

Duffy's early announcement allows other candidates to get in the race.

It's official: I am seriously considering running against Tammy Baldwin for U.S. Senate. #wiright #wisen #maga https://t.co/NrjXIrZcJH

— Senator Leah Vukmir (@LeahVukmir) February 17, 2017