Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has formed a “testing the waters” committee, in his newest step toward a presidential run. The committee will allow the governor to raise money for the first time that will be under Walker’s complete control.
“Americans want to hear more about what worked in Wisconsin and how Walker’s reforms can work across the country,” Rick Wiley, a Walker adviser, said in a statement widely distributed by Walker’s political group. “In the past several months many have urged him to run for president, and he has decided to take a serious look at running.”
Walker is one of four GOP governors considering a run for higher office that have yet to formally announce a presidential campaign. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are expected to enter the Republican field later this summer, while Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has said he would make an announcement about whether he will run on June 24.
Walker has said he would wait to announce whether he will run until after Wisconsin’s state budget is finalized, and is expected to formally announce his campaign in July. Walker visited Canada this week, and will continue on the nascent campaign trail in Philadelphia, Penn., and Washington, D.C., later this week.
