2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

The 2012 United States Senate election in Wisconsin will take place on November 6, 2012 alongside a U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Herb Kohl decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a fifth term.

Background

On November 7, 2006, U.S. Senator Herb Kohl was re-elected to his fourth consecutive six-year term against Robert Lorge after receiving 67.3% of the vote. Kohl's lack of fundraising suggested his potential retirement.^[1] There was speculation that Kohl might decide to retire so as to allow Russ Feingold to run again, having lost his re-election bid in 2010, although Mike Tate, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, dismissed speculation regarding Kohl's potential retirement.^[2] Kohl has since announced that he will not seek re-election in 2012.

Congressman and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan stated he would not run against Kohl if he had sought re-election, but would contemplate a run if Kohl retired.^[3] However, he later stated that he was "95 percent sure" that he would not run.^[4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

Tammy Baldwin, U.S. representative^[5]^[6]^[7]
Kevin Conroy, Biotech Executive^[6]
Kathleen Falk, former Dane County Executive^[6]
Steve Kagen, former U.S. Representative^[5]^[7]^[8]
Ron Kind, U.S. representative^[9]^[5]^[6]^[7]
Tim Sullivan, businessman^[10]

Declined

Russ Feingold, former U.S. senator^[11]
Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee^[12]
Herb Kohl, incumbent U.S. senator^[13]^[14]

Polling

Without Feingold

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin	Jon Erpenbach	Steve Kagen	Kathleen Falk	Ron Kind	Barbara Lawton	Gwen Moore	Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	783	± 3.5%	30%	13%	17%	4%	16%	3%	6%	12%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin	Steve Kagen	Ron Kind	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	387	± 5.0%	37%	15%	21%	—	27%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin	Steve Kagen	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	387	± 5.0%	48%	19%	—	33%
Magellan Strategies	July 12-13, 2011	627	± 3.9%	46%	21%	—	33%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin	Ron Kind	Other	Undecided
Magellan Strategies	July 12-13, 2011	627	± 3.9%	41%	19%	—	40%

Republican primary

Candidates

John Schiess

Potential

Sean Duffy, U.S. Representative^[5]
Jeff Fitzgerald, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[6]
Scott L. Fitzgerald, Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader^[5]^[6]
Mark Green, former U.S. Representative^[5]
Michael Huebsch, former state representative and former Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly^[9]
Ted Kanavas, former state senator^[15]
Rebecca Kleefisch, Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor^[5]
Frank Lasee, state senator^[16]
Tim Michels, businessman and 2004 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate^[9]
Mark Neumann, former U.S. representative^[17]^[6]
Reince Priebus, RNC Chairman^[7]
Tim Sullivan, businessman^[10]
Tommy Thompson, former governor and former Secretary of Health and Human Services^[18]

Declined

Paul Ryan, U.S. representative^[19]
J. B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin Attorney General^[20]

Campaign

According to Politico, former Governor Thompson told friends that he is planning to run for the seat.^[21]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jeff Fitzgerald	Scott Fitzgerald	Rebecca Kleefisch	Mark Neumann	Reince Priebus	Tommy Thompson	J.B. Van Hollen	Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	666	± 3.8%	8%	5%	7%	22%	4%	36%	9%	9%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jeff Fitzgerald	Mark Neumann	Tommy Thompson	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	362	± 5.2%	—	39%	47%	—	13%
Magellan Strategies	July 12-13, 2011	638	± 3.9%	15%	26%	41%	—	18%
Magellan Strategies	July 12-13, 2011	638	± 3.9%	—	36%	44%	—	20%

General election

Polling

with Tammy Baldwin

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin (D)	Jeff Fitzgerald (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	48%	37%	—	15%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin (D)	Mark Neumann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	40%	44%	—	15%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	46%	41%	—	13%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Tammy Baldwin (D)	Tommy Thompson (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	42%	50%	—	8%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	44%	45%	—	11%

with Steve Kagen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Kagen (D)	Jeff Fitzgerald (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	43%	38%	—	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Kagen (D)	Mark Neumann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	38%	45%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	42%	41%	—	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Kagen (D)	Tommy Thompson (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	41%	49%	—	10%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	42%	45%	—	13%

with Ron Kind

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ron Kind (D)	Jeff Fitzgerald (R)	Other	Undecided

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ron Kind (D)	J. B. Van Hollen (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	44%	38%	—	17%

Public Policy Polling May 19-22, 2011 1,636 ± 2.4% 45% 37% — 18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ron Kind (D)	Mark Neumann (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	40%	43%	—	17%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	44%	40%	—	16%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ron Kind (D)	Tommy Thompson (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 12-14, 2011	830	± 3.4%	41%	48%	—	11%
Public Policy Polling	May 19-22, 2011	1,636	± 2.4%	44%	44%	—	12%

References

^ Glauber, Bill (November 3, 2010). "Kohl says he'll work with Johnson". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
^ Hall, Dee (November 4, 2010). "Feingold won't seek office in 2012, official says". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
^ Gilbert, Craig (April 25, 2009). "Ryan shines as GOP seeks vision". JSOnline. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
^ Catanese, David (May 16, 2011). "Ryan telling GOPers he's unlikely to run". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Nir, David (May 13, 2011). "WI-Sen: Herb Kohl Reportedly set to Announce Retirement". DailyKos. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Kleefeld, Eric (May 13, 2011). [http:// http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/wis-dem-chair-russ-feingold-tammy-baldwin-could-run-for-senate-seat.php "Wis. Dem. Chair: Russ Feingold, Tammy Baldwin Could Run for Seat"]. TalkingPointsMemo. Retrieved May 13, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Johnson, Chris (May 13, 2011). "Baldwin for Senate?". Washington Blade. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
^ http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_123/-205677-1.html?pos=hln
^ ^a ^b ^c Bellantoni, Christina; Miller, Tricia; Peoples, Steve; Trygstad, Kyle (November 18, 2010). "'12 Senate Battles on Democratic Turf". Roll Call. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
^ ^a ^b Gonzales, Nathan L. (May 17, 2011). "Businessman Tim Sullivan Mulling Wisconsin Senate Bid". Roll Call. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/russ-feingold-not-running-in-2012/2011/08/19/gIQALSkjPJ_blog.html
^ Burns, Alexander (May 17, 2011). "Barrett closes door on Senate speculation". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/Herb-Kohl-Retiring-Senate-Wisconsin-2012-205591-1.html
^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0511/Herb_Kohl_wont_seek_reelection.html?showall
^ http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_645ab4ee-7dac-11e0-bb24-001cc4c002e0.html
^ Trygstad, Kyle (July 2, 2011). "State Senator Likely To Run for Wisconsin Senate". Roll Call. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
^ http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/04/neumann-eyes-ra.php
^ Allen, Mike; Dovere, Edward-Isaac (May 17, 2011). "Tommy Thompson plans to run for Senate". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
^ http://www.rollcall.com/news/Ryan-Out-Thompson-In-Wisconsin-Senate-205679-1.html?pos=hln
^ http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127969353.html?wpisrc=nl_fix
^ http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55108.html

External links

John Schiess for Senate
Elections & Voting at the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
U.S. Congress candidates for Wisconsin at Project Vote Smart

[js1-1] Glauber, Bill (November 3, 2010). "Kohl says he'll work with Johnson". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 29, 2010.

[ch1-2] Hall, Dee (November 4, 2010). "Feingold won't seek office in 2012, official says". Chippewa Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2010.

[3] Gilbert, Craig (April 25, 2009). "Ryan shines as GOP seeks vision". JSOnline. Retrieved June 29, 2010.

[4] Catanese, David (May 16, 2011). "Ryan telling GOPers he's unlikely to run". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.

[kos-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Nir, David (May 13, 2011). "WI-Sen: Herb Kohl Reportedly set to Announce Retirement". DailyKos. Retrieved May 13, 2011.

[tate-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Kleefeld, Eric (May 13, 2011). [http:// http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/wis-dem-chair-russ-feingold-tammy-baldwin-could-run-for-senate-seat.php "Wis. Dem. Chair: Russ Feingold, Tammy Baldwin Could Run for Seat"]. TalkingPointsMemo. Retrieved May 13, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)

[lgbt-7] Johnson, Chris (May 13, 2011). "Baldwin for Senate?". Washington Blade. Retrieved May 15, 2011.

[8] ttp://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_123/-205677-1.html?pos=hln

[rollcall01-9] Bellantoni, Christina; Miller, Tricia; Peoples, Steve; Trygstad, Kyle (November 18, 2010). "'12 Senate Battles on Democratic Turf". Roll Call. Retrieved November 29, 2010.

[sullivan-10] Gonzales, Nathan L. (May 17, 2011). "Businessman Tim Sullivan Mulling Wisconsin Senate Bid". Roll Call. Retrieved May 18, 2011.

[11] ttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/russ-feingold-not-running-in-2012/2011/08/19/gIQALSkjPJ_blog.html

[12] Burns, Alexander (May 17, 2011). "Barrett closes door on Senate speculation". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.

[13] ttp://www.rollcall.com/news/Herb-Kohl-Retiring-Senate-Wisconsin-2012-205591-1.html

[14] ttp://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0511/Herb_Kohl_wont_seek_reelection.html?showall

[15] ttp://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_645ab4ee-7dac-11e0-bb24-001cc4c002e0.html

[16] Trygstad, Kyle (July 2, 2011). "State Senator Likely To Run for Wisconsin Senate". Roll Call. Retrieved July 2, 2011.

[17] ttp://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2011/04/neumann-eyes-ra.php

[18] Allen, Mike; Dovere, Edward-Isaac (May 17, 2011). "Tommy Thompson plans to run for Senate". Politico. Retrieved May 17, 2011.

[19] ttp://www.rollcall.com/news/Ryan-Out-Thompson-In-Wisconsin-Senate-205679-1.html?pos=hln

[20] ttp://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/127969353.html?wpisrc=nl_fix

[21] ttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55108.html

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Background

Democratic primary

Candidates

Potential

Declined

Polling

Without Feingold

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

Declined

Campaign

Polling

General election

Polling

with Tammy Baldwin

with Steve Kagen

with Ron Kind

See also

References

External links