Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin's ambition
to become the first openly gay U.S. senator got a boost Thursday with
the announcement that Rep. Ron Kind won't seek the Democratic
nomination.
In a statement to POLITICO.com,
Kind said he has decided to pass on a bid to succeed Senator Herb
Kohl.
“I have been urged by many across
Wisconsin to run for Senate. I thank them sincerely for their
steadfast support and their trust in my commitment to put solving
peoples' problems first and foremost.”
“But that commitment has led me to
this conclusion: Now is not the time to run for the U.S. Senate,”
Kind added.
“At this time a divisive primary
contest will not serve the interests of the state or the real needs
of families. … Most certainly it will not reduce the hyper
partisanship that is needlessly tearing apart our state and our
country.”
Baldwin this month became the first
Democrat to formally declare her candidacy, becoming the first openly
gay Senate candidate with a viable shot at winning.
Baldwin, who has never lost a race but
remains untested in a statewide election, faces stiff competition
from her GOP rivals, former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson and
former Wisconsin Rep. Mark Neumann. Neumann officially entered the
race last month, while Thompson has signaled he will follow. Early
polls show that in a contest aginst either candidate, Baldwin would
lose.