Vos passes on 1st CD GOP primary bid, others consider running

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he’s passing on a bid for the 1st CD following House Speaker Paul Ryan’s retirement announcement earlier this week.

Vos, R-Rochester, said in a statement this morning he’ll instead seek re-election to the Assembly and “continue to focus on maintaining the strong, historic majority” in that chamber.

“While I know that our nation’s capital desperately needs more conservative reformers from Wisconsin, Michelle and I have decided that we can do more good continuing to push state-based conservative reforms,” he said.

Other possible GOP candidates include: state Sen. Dave Craig, a former aide to Ryan; UW Regent Bryan Steil, the general counsel at a plastic film manufacturing firm; state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, of Salem; and former Racine County Exec. Jim Ladwig, who now works at SC Johnson as the director of Global Community Affairs.

Reps. Tyler August and Amy Loudenbeck are taking a pass.

August, R-Lake Geneva, said he was “humbled” by the encouragement he’s received about a possible bid, but he will seek re-election to his Assembly seat.

“After much consideration and prayer, I have concluded my path forward will be to continue to serve in the state Assembly,” he said.

Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, said she feels her Assembly seat is the right place for her skill set.

“I am firmly committed to re-election in the 31st in my Assembly District,” she said.

Declared Dems are ironworker Randy Bryce and long-time school teacher Cathy Myers.