McCabe announces run for Wisconsin governor

Former watchdog head will challenge Gov. Walker in 2018.

La Crosse Congressman Ron Kind didn’t want to challenge Scott Walker for the Wisconsin governor’s seat in 2018.

Mike McCabe, however, appears ready to make that commitment.

It was less than a full-throated announcement, but the former head of the dog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, says that he’s heard from enough people that he needs to get behind them.

McCabe saying he’s “willing” to run for governor seems to be enough for those aching for an alternative the Republican, Walker.

“They’re deciding to get off the sidelines and take matters into their own hands,” McCabe said of his supporters. “That’s inspiring and so, because of that, I feel I owe them my willingness to seriously consider what they’re asking and I’ve told them I am willing to do this.”

Along with plenty of people asking him the past few months, McCabe received an open letter signed by over 200 people asking him to make the run.

Now, that he’s agreed, “It has to be determined that there are people willing to do the work with me,” McCabe said. “I’m willing to do my part but then a whole bunch of other people need to be willing to do their part, too, for this to work.”

McCabe has never held an elected office. He told WIZM he’s not sure whether he would run as a Democrat but acknowledges an independent run against Walker would be unlikely to succeed.

But, all that will be part of the conversation with supporters in the coming months. 

“Those questions have to be answered and people have to step up and that’s what’s going to be determined,” McCabe said. “I think it’s practical and realistic for us to be able to reach a point where some time after Labor Day we could launch a campaign.”