Former Wisconsin Secretary of Commerce Dick Leinenkugel formally launched his Senate campaign as a Republican at an event in Janesville Monday.
After weeks of rumors surrounding his intentions to join the race, Leinenkugel said he plans to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., in November.
Leinenkugel, who recently resigned as commerce secretary under Gov. Jim Doyle, joins challengers Dave Westlake and Terrence Wall in the race for the Republican nomination. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson announced he would not seek nomination earlier this month.
Leinenkugel has faced criticism from Democrats for changing his opinion on high-speed rail funding and clean energy legislation and from Republicans for working for a Democratic governor.
After showing support for the high-speed rail line during his term in Doyle's administration, Leinenkugel has since said the rail line should not be a priority.
""Now that he's becoming a Republican, I think Secretary Leinenkugel will face challenges as he seeks to explain his past support [for] Gov. Jim Doyle, tax increases, the stimulus boondoggle and an expensive high-speed rail project,"" Wall said in a statement in response to Leinenkugel's announcement.