Johnson Responds With Bravado On Possible Feingold Rematch

Incumbent Republican Sen. Ron Johnson is commenting on speculation that he may face a rematch against Democrat Russ Feingold in 2016. Johnson is calling his former opponent “a career politician.”

Speculation that Feingold would run for the Senate was fueled by his decision to step down from his State Department post as a special envoy to the Great Lakes region of Africa. Speaking to reporters in a conference this week, Johnson said if he faces Feingold again, he will portray him as an advocate for big government.

“Certainly, if it’s a head-to-head matchup between Sen. Feingold and myself, you’re certainly looking at a citizen legislator, somebody who’s had a full life, full career in the private sector versus, let’s face it: Feingold is the consummate career politician. And, bottom line, big government is not selling too well today,” Johnson said.

Johnson beat Feingold in the 2010 midterm elections as part of a Republican wave.

A rematch would take place during a presidential election year, when more Democrats historically go to the polls.