Milwaukee Democrat Plans Progressive Campaign To Challenge Republican Scott Walker
(AP)---Milwaukee businessman and entrepreneur Andy Gronik tells The Associated Press he will launch his run for governor as a Democrat on Tuesday.
The 60-year-old is a political newcomer who says his decades in the private sector are in sharp contrast with Republican Gov. Scott Walker's long career in public office.
Gronik said he will fight to restore collective bargaining rights to public workers lost under Walker. He also vowed to reinstitute the nonpartisan elections board Walker dissolved, stop further expansion of the private school voucher program and accept federal money Walker rejected to help pay for health insurance for more poor people.
He calls himself a "progressive businessperson."
Gronik is the most prominent Democrat to enter the race among about a dozen who are considering a run.
Shortly after Gronik made his bid official Tuesday, Walker sent a fundraising email calling Gronik "another far-left and out-of-touch candidate."
Walker's campaign also released a memo hours the governor has $2.4 million cash on hand for his re-election bid. That's more than he had at this point in 2013.
Editor's Note: This story will be updated as WPR learns more.
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