Wisconsin Senate leader Scott Fitzgerald edges closer to bid for Congress
Molly Beck
MADISON - The leader of the state Senate is expected to announce in the coming days his candidacy for Congress — a campaign that may have already begun at a Sunday parade in Jefferson County.
Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, a Republican from Juneau, hasn't yet answered definitively whether he will launch a campaign to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, but all signs point to a congressional bid. The latest clue: "Fitzgerald for Congress" is listed as an entrant in Sunday's Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade in Jefferson.
Parade chairwoman Sarah Bieck also confirmed Fitzgerald entered the event under the congressional campaign slogan. A parade announcer introduced Fitzgerald as someone who may be running for U.S. Congress.
Aides to Fitzgerald didn't respond to a request for comment.
An announcement from Fitzgerald would coincide with the departure of three top Republicans from the field to replace the dean of Wisconsin's federal delegation.
Former state Sen. Leah Vukmir, who unsuccessfully ran against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in 2018, bowed out as did Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow and state Sen. Dale Kooyenga.
Still considering bids are former U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson; Rep. Adam Neylon; Sen. Chris Kapenga; Matt Walker, son of former Gov. Scott Walker; and Matt Neumann, son of former congressman Mark Neumann.
Democrat Tom Palzewicz, who challenged Sensenbrenner in 2018, also plans to run again. The seat is in a Republican stronghold; last year, Sensenbrenner beat Palzewicz 62% to 38%.
Fitzgerald could run for Congress and keep his seat in the state Senate should he be unsuccessful — his term expires in 2022.
The parade entry itself does not pose a violation of Federal Elections Commission requirements governing when a potential candidate must create a campaign committee; however, it does constitute as campaigning under FEC guidance.
Fitzgerald must register as a candidate for Congress once he has raised or spent more than $5,000, according to the FEC.
Contact Molly Beck at molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.