Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher, Wisc., is opting not to run for Senate in 2024.
On Friday, the Wisconsin Congressman said he would not challenge Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and will remain focused on helping the 8th District.
“As the representative of Northeast Wisconsin and Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, I have a rare, bipartisan opportunity in the 118th Congress to help restore American strength, prevent war in the Pacific, and defend our basic freedoms from communist aggression,” Gallagher said in a statement.
“Accomplishing this mission and serving Wisconsin's 8th District deserve my undivided attention,” he added. “Therefore, I will not run for the Senate in 2024 and will pursue re-election to the House.”
Republicans had been pushing for Gallagher to jump in the race against the three-term Democrat senator but now the primary field remains wide open.
“Mike Gallagher would be a great candidate,” Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. The head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) previously told Politico. “He's the kind of candidate that with his distinguished service and then time in Congress, could win both the primary and general election.”
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