Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson will face U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, in the general election after winning the primary for the Republican candidacy with 84 percent of the vote, according to the Associated Press.
""We all got involved in this campaign because Senator Feingold and his allies in Washington are leading our nation and Wisconsin down the wrong path,"" Johnson told his supporters.
Johnson handedly defeated Watertown businessman David Westlake and Milwaukee plumber Stephen Finn Tuesday night, who received 11 percent and five percent of the vote, respectively.
Despite entering the race late, Johnson received the GOP's endorsement and was the heavy favorite to win the nomination. He has run a mostly self-financed campaign that has focused on cutting government spending and lowering taxes.
According to a Rasmussen report issued in August, Johnson has a slight lead over Feingold in the polls, with 47 percent of respondents favoring Johnson and 46 percent backing Feingold.
""I congratulate Ron Johnson and look forward to having an honest debate of the issues with him,"" Feingold said in statement.
Feingold has challenged Johnson to six debates before the November election, including one in Madison on October 22nd should Johnson accept.
—Adam Wollner
