Another Friday News Dump Blast!
U.S. Rep. Tom Petri said he will formally announce Monday that he will not run for re-election,giving the tea party an eye-popping victory in forcing out two Republicans decried as moderates on a single day.
Petri, 73, has been a congressman since 1979 representing east-central Wisconsin but was facing a legitimate GOP primary challenger. He made his decision only hours after Senate President Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) — another GOP official who spent a generation in office — announced his own retirement.
His decision comes a week after state Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) was taking on Petri. Grothman, who learned of Petri's move from a reporter, said he was committed to staying in the race but that Petri's decision made it "harder."
Republican extremist State Senator Glenn Grothman plans on carpet-bagging himself into Petris district where he doesn't live.
Another candidate for Petris seat has announced his intention to run within minutes of Petris announcement.
Within 15 minutes of Petri announcing his plans, state Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) issued a news release saying he would consider a run.
"Out of love and respect for my family and country, I will take time over the next couple of days to consider, discuss and pray about how and where I can best use my time and talent to improve the quality of life for our state and nation," Leibham said in a statement.
Not waiting until the ink is dry on the announcement tells you how self-obsessed Wisconsin Republicans are about jumping on political opportunities.
And Liebham won't have the spotlight to himself for long:
State Rep. Duey Stroebel (R-Town of Cedarburg) said earlier this week that he might run for the seat if Petri chose not to run again.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), another potential contender for the seat, didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. Like Grothman, Fitzgerald lives outside the district.
This could turn into quite a pie fight among Republicans.
Republican incumbents running for re-election are dropping like flies here in Wisconsin.
Stay tuned. It's still early on Friday News Dump Day.
MORE!
Well Scott Walker got his wish: another 6 months to squeeze donations from both sides for his re-election campaign make a decision on approving a Menomonee Nation casino in Kenosha. Last year he said the decision would be "imminent" on a couple of occasions, but as the decision dates he gave came and went (and campaign donations piled up) he seemingly developed a problem with the decision-making part of his brain.
He asked the federal Department of the Interior, that has already given it's approval, for another 6 months to decide, and today they granted his wish.
His campaign war chest is still wide open and ready to accept a continuing flood of bribes donations.
If Scott Walker can't make a decision on approving a casino, how can he present himself as a candidate for President who is required to make decisions on more earth shattering matters?
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It's still early in Friday News Dump Day.