Wisconsin Republican Rep. Sean Duffy will not challenge Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin in 2018, leaving the GOP without a top-tier candidate at this point as they try to prove that President Trump’s Wisconsin victory was no fluke and that the Dairy State is now firmly in their column.
The rising star, who just won a fourth term in November, would have cleared the primary field. Now that he has passed, numerous state lawmakers and prominent businessmen will likely announce their candidacies.
“After much prayer and deliberation, Rachel and I have decided that this is not the right time for me to run for Senate,” Duffy stated on Thursday. “We have eight great kids and family always comes first.
“Baldwin will be beat because her radically liberal Madison record and ideas are out of synch with Wisconsin,” the one-time reality TV star stated. “I look forward to helping our Republican nominee defeat her. I’ll continue to work my heart out for the families of the 7th district, and I’m excited about the great things we will accomplish with our united Republican government.”
State and national Republicans consider Wisconsin one of their best Senate pick-up opportunities this cycle.
