Democrat Joe Parisi Won’t Run For Governor In 2018

Another Democrat has announced he won’t run for governor in 2018.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi told The Capital Times that while he considered the race, it was an easy decision not to run.

“If I ran for governor and even if I became governor, it would have been extremely difficult considering the huge Republican majority,” Parisi told the paper. “I love what I do and I’m able to accomplish so much right now, much more than I believe as governor.”

Parisi is just the latest Democrat to decide against running for governor in a likely race against GOP incumbent Gov. Scott Walker. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind briefly mulled a race before announcing last month he wouldn’t run. Former state Sen. Tim Cullen had all but launched his campaign before he decided against it, too.

Other Democrats have sent signals they’re still considering running for governor, including Alma state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, Eau Claire state Rep. Dana Wachs, Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik, Milwaukee attorney Matt Flynn and Jefferson County attorney Susan Happ. Recent Stanford graduate Bob Harlow, 25, is the only Democrat to officially announce plans to run for governor.

Walker has given every indication he plans to seek a third term but said he will formally announce his plans after work is finished on the new state budget.