Vinehout Says She Won’t Run For Governor

Update – 5:28 p.m.: Read more about Vinehout’s departure from the gubernatorial race here.

State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout announced on Friday that she won’t seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Vinehout issued a statement that cited her recovery from a recent car crash as the reason she won’t run for governor.

“After careful consideration I have decided not to run for governor this year,” the statement said, according to reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Wisconsin State Journal. “The severity of the injury received in the car accident last month — a splintering of the bone in my upper right arm — and the time required to recover and rehabilitate make it impossible for me to run the intense, grass roots campaign that I want to run and would be necessary to win.”

Mary Burke, the former Trek Bicycle exectuive, is the only announced Democratic candidate and Vinehout’s dropping out might clear her path to the nomination.

In her statement, Vinehout wished Burke success in her campaign.

State Democratic Party Chair Michael Tate released his own statement praising Vinehout.

“Although she has made the decision not to pursue a run for governor at this time, Kathleen Vinehout remains a vital force in this Party and this movement,” Tate said in the statement.

Stay tuned to Wisconsin Public Radio for continuing coverage.