GOP Senate Candidates Say They'll Stay If Thompson Runs (WI Senate)

MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - The 2 Republicans currently running for the U.S. Senate say they’ll stay in the race, even if Tommy Thompson decides to run. Madison real estate developer Terrence Wall says he’s “way too invested” in the campaign to drop out. He has spent $275,000 of his own money on the campaign, and he might throw in more. Watertown businessman Dave Westlake says he’s also in the race for good – even though recent polls showed that only Thompson has a real chance of unseating Democrat Russ Feingold in November. But it might not be until May when Thompson decides whether he’ll take the plunge.

Wall and Westlake spoke at a Milwaukee Press Club forum Wednesday. Both carefully praised Thompson – Wisconsin’s governor for 14 years and the nation’s health secretary for 4 years. Westlake offered the only real criticism. He said Thompson had previously endorsed the new national health care reform law, and state government expanded under his watch. Wall said he talks with Thompson about once a month, and said the former governor has given him political advice. Wall refused to say if he would seek Thompson’s endorsement if Thompson doesn’t run. Westlake and Wall also praised the Tea Party movement, and said it could be a deciding factor this fall.

http://www.wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/mar/25/gop-senate-candidates-say-theyll-stay-if-thompson-/


Comment - Could be a good thing. "only Thompson" may have a real chance... but those chances go down if he is in a competitive primary first.