MADISON - Democrat Pat Bomhack, of Spring Green, is dropping out of what would have been a competitive state Assembly race to instead run for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Dale Schultz.
Bomhack announced his candidacy for the southwestern Wisconsin seat on Wednesday. Many had suspected that the former legislative staffer to former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold may get into the Senate race.
"I'm running because I love my community and our way of life in southwest Wisconsin," Bomhack said in a news release. "I want to make a difference for our rural communities, and I believe the best way I can serve is by fighting for our values in the state Senate.
"There's so much work to be done to move Wisconsin forward. We need to reform redistricting. We need to ensure strong, local controls over frac sand mining. And we need to strengthen our rural communities by repairing our roads, expanding access to broadband, and reinvesting in our public and technical schools."
Bomhack's decision leaves well-known farmer Dick Cates as the only Democrat running in the 51st Assembly District. Republican Howard Marklein is running for the state Senate instead of seeking re-election to that Assembly seat.
Marklein is unopposed in the Republican primary for the 17th District state Senate seat.
Bomhack will face former state Department of Transportation official Ernie Wittwer in the Democratic primary.
-The Associated Press and Times staff
Bomhack announced his candidacy for the southwestern Wisconsin seat on Wednesday. Many had suspected that the former legislative staffer to former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold may get into the Senate race.
"I'm running because I love my community and our way of life in southwest Wisconsin," Bomhack said in a news release. "I want to make a difference for our rural communities, and I believe the best way I can serve is by fighting for our values in the state Senate.
"There's so much work to be done to move Wisconsin forward. We need to reform redistricting. We need to ensure strong, local controls over frac sand mining. And we need to strengthen our rural communities by repairing our roads, expanding access to broadband, and reinvesting in our public and technical schools."
Bomhack's decision leaves well-known farmer Dick Cates as the only Democrat running in the 51st Assembly District. Republican Howard Marklein is running for the state Senate instead of seeking re-election to that Assembly seat.
Marklein is unopposed in the Republican primary for the 17th District state Senate seat.
Bomhack will face former state Department of Transportation official Ernie Wittwer in the Democratic primary.
-The Associated Press and Times staff