Republican Fitzgerald announces run for Congress

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is running for Congress to succeed retiring longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner.

Fitzgerald announced his bid Tuesday on WISN-AM. He is the first Republican to enter the race.

His newly launched campaign website prominently features a picture of Fitzgerald next to President Donald Trump, who is giving a thumbs up.

Fitzgerald was an early and vocal supporter of Trump’s. The 55-year-old Fitzgerald has been in the state Legislature since 1995 and has been leader off and on since 2011.

Numerous other Republicans are eyeing the seat, including fellow state Sen. Chris Kapenga, former Gov. Scott Walker’s son Matt Walker and Matt Neumann, the son of former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann.

Democrat Tom Palzewicz is also running. He lost to Sensenbrenner in the heavily Republican district in 2018, gaining just 38% of the vote.

FItzgerald says he intends to remain the Senate majority leader during his run.