Ron Johnson officially kicks off campaign for re-election to Senate, says he "can't quit this country"
OSHKOSH -- Senator Ron Johnson on Monday, May 2nd officially kicked off his campaign for re-election to the United States Senate.
Johnson said he is running for re-election because he "can't quit this country."
Johnson's campaign event was held on Monday morning at Pacur -- an Oshkosh custom sheet metal maker he led for years before his run for U.S. Senate in 2010.
On Monday, Johnson said he is "more panicked" for the future of the country than he was during his first campaign.
Johnson is facing former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold.
"Senator Feingold, let`s face it, he`s a career politician. Literally, what did he do in 18 years? I`ve accomplished a fair amount in five-and-a-half, and I think another term -- with a serious president willing to tackle these problems, is going to need somebody like me to work with," Johnson said.
Feingold's campaign issued a statement in response, saying:
"Senator Johnson has spent the last six years as a partisan shill who thinks our economy should only work for billionaires and CEOs like himself. Russ is fighting for an economy that works for middle class and working Wisconsin families."
Feingold is leading this race in all of the latest polls.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin also weighed in on Johnson's announcement Monday -- criticizing him for obstructing a hearing on President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland.
"I call on my Senate colleagues to do their jobs and do this very straightforward constitutional duty of advise and consent to the president`s nominee," Baldwin said.