Glenn Grothman says he'll challenge US Rep. Tom Petri

MILWAUKEE (AP) — State Sen. Glenn Grothman says he plans to run for Congress, challenging fellow Republican Tom Petri for the seat representing east-central Wisconsin.

Grothman on Thursday called Petri a "very good human being" but says he represents a time when Republicans stood for expanding government.

Petri is a 73-year-old moderate who's held his seat for 35 years. He won most of his elections handily, facing little or no competition from fellow Republicans.

Tom Petri

But Grothman says Republicans in Congress have been lacking. He says he's concerned about a culture of dependency in the U.S., and the federal government is overreaching into everything from health care to education.

At least two other Republicans are considering challenging Petri, including state Rep. Duey Stroebel and John Hiller, a close confidante of Gov. Scott Walker.