Bice: Democratic candidate Randy Bryce's brother donates to opponent after considering his own run for same seat

U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson isn't the only Wisconsin candidate with family issues this election season. 

Consider what is going on with Democratic congressional candidate Randy Bryce and his brother James, a Milwaukee police sergeant.

First, James Bryce gave $100 in March to House Speaker Paul Ryan, the Janesville Republican whom Randy Bryce hoped to challenge. Ryan announced recently that he was not running for re-election.

So James Bryce has now chipped in $25 to Bryan Steil, the top Republican in the contest for 1st Congressional District, GOP officials confirmed. 

But it also turns out that James Bryce, who lives in Muskego, considered running for the same office as his brother Randy. James Bryce and his wife Erica talked with top state and federal Republicans about vying for the office in the weeks after Ryan's announcement. 

"While calls like this are routine, it’s unique to hear from family members of a candidate who’s currently in the race," said Chris Martin, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. 

Eventually, James Bryce decided not to get in the race and chose to back Steil. 

Randy Bryce said this is nothing new for him and his brother.

"My brother is a Republican and we don't talk politics because we have different views," Bryce said via email. "I am focused on beating Bryan Steil in November and flipping the seat blue."

The parents and brother of Republican candidate Nicholson have donated to the campaign of Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat.

RELATED:Parents of GOP Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson gave max donations to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.