Herb Kohl Endorses Tammy Baldwin for US Senate

Retiring Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) is throwing his support behind Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) as she runs to fill the seat Kohl will leave vacant when he retires at the end of his term.

Baldwin is the only Democrat, so far, running against a field of at least three Republicans: former Congressman Mark Neumann; State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald; and former Governor Tommy Thompson.

Kohl's Senate seat has been held by a Democrat since 1957.

The formal endorsement announcement will take place on Jan. 9 when Baldwin opens her Milwaukee campaign headquarters. Here is the full release:

U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl will endorse Tammy Baldwin in the election to succeed him to the United States Senate at the opening of the Baldwin for Senate statewide campaign headquarters tonight in Milwaukee.

"Herb Kohl is one of the most trusted, respected and beloved public servants in Wisconsin history, and I am honored to have his support," said Baldwin.  "His leadership transcends the partisan politics that too often divide us, and his legacy of always putting the people ahead of the special interests is one I will continue in the U.S. Senate."

"Tammy Baldwin has served our state and our country with conviction, compassion and common sense, and she will be an excellent senator who will make Wisconsin proud," said Sen. Kohl.  "We can all trust Tammy to stand up for the people of our great state and for the values we all share."

Sen. Kohl will announce his endorsement of Tammy Baldwin at the opening of the Baldwin for Senate statewide campaign headquarters tonight in Milwaukee. Congresswoman Gwen Moore and other Milwaukee area leaders will join supporters at the grand opening event.