Wednesday, September 7, 2011
9:07 AM
Roys to run for Congress
State Rep. Kelda Roys of Madison this morning became the first Dem to join the race for the now-open 2nd Congressional District.
In a press release, Roys said the country needs "bold, energetic leaders who will set the right priorities."
"There is a vacuum in the next generation of progressive leaders in Washington, D.C.," Roys said. "Congress has become less responsive to the public, and especially, to the concerns of middle class families."
Fellow Madison Dem Rep. Mark Pocan is expected to announce his candidacy for the seat, which is being vacated by incumbent Tammy Baldwin's Senate bid, later this morning. Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, has also expressed interest in the race.
UPDATE -- 11:03 a.m.: Pocan declared his candidacy this morning at his sign business on Madison's south side.
He vowed to fight for "everyone who struggles to make ends meet, who worries about job security, who wonders whether they can pay their child’s tuition bill and keep paying the mortgage and for those of you who have tried and tried but still cannot find work."
"If standing up to Scott Walker was the first battle, standing up to Paul Ryan and his brand of anti-government radicalism may well be the defining one,” Pocan said in a statement.
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