Wisconsin GOP Senate candidates make final push before primary
MADISON (AP) -- Four Republican U.S. Senate candidates in Wisconsin are making a final push across the state in advance of Tuesday's primary election. Tuesday's election will determine who will take on Democratic challenger Tammy Baldwin in the general election. Baldwin is running unopposed in Tuesday's primary.
Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, businessman Eric Hovde, former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann and state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald each vying for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Herb Kohl.
The race was overshadowed earlier this year by the recall campaign against Gov. Scott Walker. Then on Saturday Wisconsin's political scene blew up again with Mitt Romney's selection of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.
All four Senate candidates joined Romney and Ryan at a campaign stop in Waukesha on Sunday, August 12th. The candidates were spread out across the state on Monday -- making stops to rally with supporters and to generate excitement.
Hovde's Wauwatosa campaign headquarters was staffed with volunteers Monday who were busy making last-minute phone calls.
Considered one of the race's front-runners, Hovde himself spent the day before the primary in Wausau and LaCrosse, visiting a business and Republican supporters.
Hovde was expected to campaign in Wauwatosa Monday evening.
Each candidate spent time shaking hands with voters at Sunday evening's Romney/Ryan rally in Waukesha.
"We have to turn this country around for our children and grandchildren and now, with Mitt Romney -- and Paul Ryan as the vice-presidential nominee, you need a U.S. Senate that knows how to get things done. I am the conservative that can get elected. I've done it five times and I know I can win," Thompson said.
Thompson made some of his final campaign stops in Wausau Monday.
Neumann barnstormed the LaCrosse and Green Bay area Monday. Then, he helped volunteers in Waukesha reach out to voters by phone.
"The Tea Party endorsement last week, and the Tea Party bus tour we ran last week, and we've been all over the state again today just talking to voters face-to-face. It's been great. What I was able to do for Gov. Walker, and get our reforms through we need to do on a national stage," Neumann said.
Fitzgerald stopped by the FOX6 News studio Monday on his way to Green Bay to campaign. He says he hopes his message of spending cuts and smaller government will resonate with voters.
"Still have a big undecided factor, plus I've been the only candidate that the last polling showed is kind of on an upward trend right now -- while the other guys are trying to hold on. To tell you the truth, the three other guys kind of going negative on each other kind of boosted our campaign," Fitzgerald said.
On Election Day Tuesday, each candidate has plans to vote, and then prepare for a victory party.
FOX6's Mike Lowe has profiled all five U.S. Senate candidates. CLICK HERE to view the profiles.
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