NV-Sen, WI-Gov: Porter, Kind Not Running

[ccharles000]

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/5632/nvsen-wigov-porter-kind-not-running

There's one common thread today between the Nevada Senate race and the Wisconsin gubernatorial race: two prominent would-be contenders confirmed that they aren't running.
In Nevada, the news earlier this week that ex-Rep. Jon Porter (who was defeated by Dina Titus in 2008 and is currently a "policy adviser" with a K St. lobbying firm) was once again considering running against Harry Reid was a cause for some alarm. Porter has probably the highest profile of any potential candidate, and a fairly moderate reputation capable of appealing to swing voters, unlike most of the third-tier liliputians threatening to overwhelm Reid. However, it looks like it was never more than a trial balloon:


Squelching rumors that he's reconsidering a Senate campaign against Harry Reid, former GOP congressman Jon Porter definitively said Wednesday night that he's not running.
"I am not running," Porter told Nevada political guru Jon Ralston, as he reported on his Flash blog tonight.

Meanwhile, over in Wisconsin, Rep. Ron Kind was rumored to be very interested in the open seat governor's race, left vacant by Jim Doyle's decision not to seek a third term. However, Kind will announce today that he will run for re-election in WI-03 instead.

That may be for the best, as the GOP fielded a fairly strong candidate, state Sen. Dan Kapanke, probably on the belief that the 3rd would be an open seat; having Kind in the race will make this a much easier hold. And the ambitious Kind is in his early 40s, so he'll still have plenty of shots at a promotion. Without a statewide profile, Kind may not have liked his odds at getting out of the primary; Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is already in the Dem field, plus ex-Rep. and current Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett may get in and, if a recent Republican internal poll is to be believed, would have the inside track on the nomination.

[elocs]

1. Kind is my representative and I'm glad he's not running for governor

because if he does not run for reelection in the WI 3rd there is a good chance that the Republican Kapanke would win. I think it will still be a tough reelection for Kind.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Things are going to get very interesting in Packerstan.

Doyle wasn't all that popular. I expect the Primary race will actually narrow down to Barrett and LT Gov Barbara Lawton. It'll be a Milwaukee versus Upstate battle. I think I'll make my $$ contributions to Lawton; Barrett seems to have tarnished his liberal lustre in the Milwaukeee Mayoralty.

[burning rain]

3. Hmmm, I've long suspected Reid & Ensign have a non-aggression pact.

Though with Reid's unpopularity these days any Joe Shmo Republican might beat him.