Wisconsin Gov. Won't Run for Re-Election

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced Monday that he will not seek re-election next year and does not want to be considered for any positions within President Barack Obama's administration at this time.

Doyle's decision not to seek a third term greatly improves the Republican party's chances of winning the governor's office in Wisconsin, traditionally a Democratic-leaning state that Obama won in 2008.

Flanked by family, members of his cabinet, political supporters and old friends at the elementary school he attended as a child, Doyle said he intends to serve the remaining 16 months of his term and is not interested in any Obama administration positions during that time.

Obama, as well as two former governors and current members of his administration — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — were quick to praise Doyle.

"His tough and fair leadership enabled him to work across the aisle to strengthen education and spur economic recovery," Obama said in a statement.

Doyle said he is focused on getting more done in his final months in office and not what he will do once he leaves. "I'm not even thinking about it," he said of his plans.

His friend and University of Wisconsin Regent David Walsh said he expected Doyle to work as a consultant on energy and education issues.

Doyle said his intention always was to serve just two terms and he wanted to announce his plans to give other Democrats enough time to build campaigns. His departure sets up the first open governor's race in Wisconsin since 1982.

"With him out, it actually allows national forces to come play a bigger role," said University of Wisconsin-Madison political science professor Charles Franklin.

Doyle was the first Democrat re-elected as governor in 32 years. His departure creates a scramble for Democrats who would never dared challenge the incumbent and Republicans who weren't otherwise considering a run.

Some of the more prominent potential Democratic candidates include U.S. Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse, who said Monday he was considering a run, and Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton, whose aide said she was running. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was recovering from getting beaten by a metal pipe over the weekend, has been mentioned as a candidate but has not commented on it.

Republicans already running are Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann. Other Republicans who now may decide to jump in include Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and former Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Doyle did not immediately endorse a candidate.

"It's time for them to go out and make their case," he said.