Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Will Seek Reelection This Year

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson will seek a third term this year. He made the announcement via an opinion piece published Sunday at WSJ.com. The move comes a day after his fellow Republican, South Dakota Sen. John Thune said he too will run in November. 

Today, I am announcing I will continue to fight for freedom in the public realm by running for re-election. It is not a decision I have made lightly. #WISen

Read more about my decision here: https://t.co/mLufNGWYhl

— Ron Johnson (@RonJohnsonWI) January 9, 2022

Unlike South Dakota, where Thune should have little trouble winning a 4th term, the Wisconsin race is expected to be one of the most fiercely-contested in the country. About a dozen Democrats have already entered the race; the early frontrunner appears to be Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes.  

Despite being loathed by Democrats, many in the party hoped Johnson would seek another term. As The Hill reported last week: "Democrats view him as vulnerable, pointing to provocative comments on the coronavirus, 2020 election, racial justice protests and more, and are eager to take another crack at him."

All 34 Senate incumbents holding seats up in 2022 have now made their reelection intentions known. Five Republicans and one Democrat are retiring:  Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Richard Shelby (R-Alabama), Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania). The remaining 15 Republicans and 13 Democrats are running. The Senate is currently evenly split at 50-50; Democrats control by virtue of Vice-President Kamala Harris' ability to break ties.