U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, will celebrate the opening of a new campaign office in downtown Madison Friday evening, beginning a weekend of statewide campaigning for re-election.
The Madison office joins six others in Wisconsin. Campaign spokesperson John Kraus said four more offices will follow in April, totaling 11 with more than six months until the election.
According to Kraus, campaign offices help organize strong grassroots efforts by area volunteers.
""[Campaign offices] provide a hub for our supporters and volunteers to work in communities around the state, to get the word out about Sen. Feingold's record and to continue building the network we're going to need to win in November,"" Kraus said.
The campaign had $3.65 million on hand as of January.
Republicans Terrence Wall and Dave Westlake are currently running against Feingold in his bid for a fourth term. Former Wisconsin Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson is reported to have expressed interest in the Senate seat, and many believe he would be Feingold's toughest competitor.
Former Thompson campaign manager Bill McCoshen has said Thompson may enter the race because he is concerned about the direction in which the country is heading. He said Thompson would oppose the stimulus and health-care bills that Feingold has supported.
McCoshen said Thompson, who was elected governor four times, is still popular with Republicans in Wisconsin.
""The national party doesn't see him as having any weaknesses,"" McCoshen said in early March.
Kraus said Thompson's decision will not affect Feingold's strategy, and he said he was confident that the senator can beat any potential challenger.
""We have been tested, and we've come out on top in the past, so we're ready for whoever we run against,"" Kraus said.
Feingold will announce the office opening on West Mifflin Street at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
