Feingold Fuels Speculation Of 2016 Senate Run

There’s increased speculation that Russ Feingold may once again run against the man who beat him in 2010.

The former Democratic U.S. senator said on Facebook he’s leaving the U.S. State Department. He said he will first teach at Stanford University, then travel around Wisconsin to listen to the concerns of fellow Wisconsin residents:

The post certainly wasn’t a campaign announcement, but it did fuel speculation that Feingold might be considering a rematch against Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

Marquette Law School pollster Charles Franklin said both parties have their eyes on the 2016 race

“On the Republican side, you’ve seen them begin to prepare for what they would say in a race against Feingold,” said Franklin.”And on the Democratic side, (they’re) looking at the race here in Wisconsin as one of the most competitive potential races for 2016.”

In 2010, Feingold lost to Johnson in a Republican midterm sweep. Since 2013, he has served as a special envoy to the Great Lakes region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.