By: Associated Press//April 25, 2011//
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) — Former state Sen. Pat Kreitlow says he plans to run for Congress, challenging Republican first-year incumbent U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy.
Kreitlow is a Democrat from Chippewa Falls. The 46-year-old worked as a news anchor at WEAU-TV before being elected to the state Senate in 2006.
He’ll be challenging Duffy, a former district attorney. Duffy defeated state Sen. Julie Lassa last year to win the congressional seat held by Democratic Rep. David Obey for 41 years.
Kreitlow said he was angered over Duffy’s support of a budget proposal from fellow Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, a plan that includes a major overhaul of Medicare. Kreitlow said Duffy is disconnected from the needs of northwest Wisconsin.
An email sent to Duffy’s press contact Monday was not immediately returned.