The race for the 2nd Congressional District began Wednesday when two state representatives announced their candidacies.
State Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and State Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, will run for the seat U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., will vacate.
Pocan, who replaced Baldwin as state representative in 1998, announced his intentions to run for her Congressional seat Wednesday morning in front of his signs store on Madison's south side.
Pocan likened his experience challenging Gov. Scott Walker to how he would fight for Wisconsin families in Washington.
""If standing up to Scott Walker was the first battle, standing up to Paul Ryan and his brand of anti-government radicalism may well be the defining one,"" Pocan said.
Roys, one of the youngest members of the state Assembly, said she would be the ""bold"" and ""progressive"" voice Washington lacks.
""I want to make sure the community I grew up in remains strong and vibrant for middle class families like mine,"" Roys said in a statement.
Roys and Pocan are the first to announce formally their candidacies for the 2nd Congressional District. State Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, is expected to announce his plans to run within the next week.
State Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Monona, also announced her candidacy for Pocan's seat in the 76th Assembly District. Due to redistricting, her residence lies outside of her current district.
