Democrat Tim Cullen Won’t Run For Governor

Former Democratic State Sen. Tim Cullen has announced he won’t run for governor in 2018.

Cullen had been considering a run for months, but said he decided against it when he realized he would not be able to raise enough money to compete in a statewide race.

“I concluded that I could string this out and tell you folks that I’m considering, considering, considering,” Cullen told reporters at an impromptu state Capitol news conference Wednesday. “But I decided that I wouldn’t do that.”

Cullen said he decided Thursday he would not run for governor. “And I just sat on it in my own mind for four days to see how it felt,” Cullen said. “Nothing changed.”

Cullen said he hoped another Democrat would emerge to take on Gov. Scott Walker, who has all but announced he will run for re-election.

“My personal view always was that we need to replace Gov. Walker,” Cullen said. “But I never felt deep inside of me that it had to me.”

Cullen said he has met with other potential Democratic gubernatorial candidates, including Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ, who ran for State Attorney General in 2014, Milwaukee businessman Andy Gronik, Eau Claire State Rep. Dana Wachs, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, Alma State Sen. Kathleeen Vinehout and Milwaukee attorney Matt Flynn.

Cullen is the latest Democrat to consider running for governor before deciding against it. Congressman Ron Kind also ruled out a race for governor.