WASHINGTON — The chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee said Monday that he's confident that former state Assembly Speaker John Gard will seek a rematch with U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-Wis., next year.
"I believe he's going to run," said the NRCC chairman, Tom Cole, R-Okla. His comments came a couple of weeks after Gard said he was taking the first steps for a run at the seat, although he won't make a final decision until later this year.
In a conference call with reporters, Cole called Gard "an exceptional candidate," adding, "I think frankly he was the best candidate who was not successful on our side the last time."
Gard, of Suamico, lost a narrow race to Kagen last year to represent the state's 8th Congressional District after Republicans held the district for most of the past three decades.
"We think John Gard is going to be an excellent candidate for us," Cole said, adding that it would be one of the Republican Party's top races. "He'll certainly get strong support from us."
Other Republicans, such as state Reps. Frank Lasee of Bellevue and Steve Wieckert of Appleton, and former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin, are also possible candidates for the seat.
"I start with the assumption that if multiple Republicans — particularly credible Republicans — want to run then there must be a pretty good opportunity there," Cole said.
Cole said that Kagen has "given us a lot of opportunities," saying that the freshman lawmaker said some things about President Bush and first lady Laura Bush that were inappropriate .
That was a reference to a report that quoted Kagen as telling a group of peace activists that he taunted the Bushes and others at a White House reception for new lawmakers last November. The White House denied Kagen's version of events, and he later apologized to constituents.
Kagen's office referred requests for comment to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In a statement, DCCC spokesman Ryan Rudominer said that Kagen "has worked tirelessly to stand up for his constituents and move America in a new direction, and that clearly has the NRCC and Mr. Cole worked up."
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Whoever runs this race will again be a tossup.
