Wisconsin Department of Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel will leave his post Friday to pursue another course.
""I am privileged to have led Wisconsin's Department of Commerce over the past 18 months,"" Leinenkugel said in a statement. ""I want to thank Governor Doyle for this opportunity.""
Although he declined to elaborate further, some believe he is pursuing the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate race this fall. Leinenkugel said he would reveal his plans in the next two to three weeks.
""I don't think there's anything magic about any timing,"" he said. ""[I left at this point because] I wanted to make sure there was proper turnover prior to me moving on to what I'm going to be doing next.""
Graeme Zielinski, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson, said Leinenkugel worked closely with Gov. Jim Doyle on the budget during his time in office.
""Secretary Leinenkugel worked very hard to see stimulus and recovery act money spent here in Wisconsin to help preserve and save jobs,"" Zielinski said. ""He was a very close partner and good friend of Gov. Doyle in this effort.""
If he entered the Senate race, Leinenkugel may compete for the nomination against former Wisconsin governor and national health secretary Tommy Thompson, who is debating whether to run. Developer Terrence Wall and businessman David Westlake have already announced their candidacies.
Trevor Miller, Senate Committee spokesperson for Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., said in an e-mail that the Republican Party will engage in an ""intramural"" fight in the coming months that is likely to produce deep divisions within the party.
""In the meantime the Feingold campaign will continue to build a strong grassroots campaign in every Wisconsin community with unified support from Democrats and strong appeal to independents and conservatives,"" Miller said.
Kristin Ruesch, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said all potential GOP nominees bring a different point of view that will lead to ""vibrant discussion"" throughout the party.
