House Speaker Paul Ryan will appear at a campaign rally on Friday for Wisconsin state Sen. Leah Vukmir, who is vying for the right to challenge Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s bid for a second term.
Ryan, a Republican who represents Wisconsin’s Janesville area, endorsed Vukmir last week in the state’s upcoming Republican primary.
Ryan called Vukmir “a longtime friend, a conservative ally, and the right person to take-on Tammy Baldwin this fall.”
Vukmir is among five Republicans seeking a spot on the November ballot, but analysts consider Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson her most formidable GOP opponent. Nicholson has the backing of the conservative group Club for Growth as well as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Either candidate will have a difficult time winning in November. Baldwin is favored to win re-election, according to the non-partisan Cook Political report, which analyzes congressional races. Cook rates Baldwin’s seat as “likely Democrat.”
