Doyle is not running for re-election
August 16, 2009
Jim Doyle is expected to announce Monday that he will not seek re-election as Governor of Wisconsin. This is not all that surprising given the budget that Dotle recently passed that increased quite a few taxes. Wisconsin has also experienced higher unemployment than most of the country and other economic indicators have been lagging behind much of the country. Doyle was also going to have to face off against Scott Walker or Mark Nuemann who are strong candidates for the Republicans.
This is good news for business. Doyle is an anti-business governor, but he’s also a very good politician and beating him in 2010 was no sure thing even with his low polling numbers.
It will be interesting to watch what the Democrats do with this open seat. Lt. Governor Barabara Lawton will make a run, but she’s extremely left wing and lacks Doyle’s political skills. Congressman Ron Kind is rumored to run, but he has a safe congressional seat that he’d have to give up in order to run. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will be mentioned, but he also has a very safe job right now. Unlike Ron Kind, Barrett would not have to give up his current job in order to run. However, a failed run may make him a target in a mayoral race.
