# Ron Johnson may not run for re-election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 22, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081 "2021-07-22T21:13:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/1 "2021-07-22T21:13:57Z")
Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, who represents Wisconsin, and who has been widely criticized for a range of controversial and/or dumb statements, has dropped hints that he may not run for re-election next year. It appears he may realize that his unpopularity could doom his campaign. In a story today on [Madison.com](http://Madison.com): > [@](#): > > U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is sending out some mixed signals on whether he’ll run for re-election in 2022. > > In an interview this week, Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he “may not be the best candidate” for the 2022 U.S. Senate race, an indication his re-election bid is not exactly pre-ordained despite the fact he raised $1.2 million in the second quarter of the year, double his effort in the first quarter and more than his Democratic challengers. > > “I want to make sure that this U.S. Senate seat is retained in Republican hands,” [Johnson told conservative commentator Lisa Boothe](https://www.gingrich360.com/2021/07/21/the-truth-with-lisa-boothe-episode-19-not-backing-down-with-sen-ron-johnson/). “You see what the media’s doing to me. I may not be the best candidate. I wouldn’t run if I don’t think I could win, if I don’t think I was the best person to be able to win.” > > He then referenced former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant, who he said retired at the height of his success because “he wanted to live a life.” > > “This is an incredibly frustrating place here,” Johnson said. “Having come from the private sector, running a successful business. Being able to accomplish things. When you just see the dysfunction that is Washington D.C., it can be pretty frustrating.” > **[US Sen. Ron Johnson: 'I may not be the best candidate' for 2022](https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/u-s-sen-ron-johnson-i-may-not-be-the-best-candidate-for-2022/article_b2283e3f-68e6-5b21-b648-c9da4a597d4a.html)** > > "I wouldn’t run if I don’t think I could win," said Johnson, who is undecided on a re-election bid. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/2 "2021-07-22T21:23:14Z")
I seem to recall that he promised during his first campaign to only serve 2 terms. He could fall back on that and keep his promise and save face. I wish he’d do it sooner than later so other potential Republican candidates could raise funds and create recognition. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/3 "2021-07-22T21:26:10Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > who has been widely criticized for a range of controversial and/or dumb statements > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > He then referenced former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant A guy from Oshkosh, just upriver from Green Bay, references the coach of the _Vikings_? It’s like he’s already given up on running again. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/4 "2021-07-22T21:52:29Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > [Johnson told conservative commentator Lisa Boothe](https://www.gingrich360.com/2021/07/21/the-truth-with-lisa-boothe-episode-19-not-backing-down-with-sen-ron-johnson/). “You see what the media’s doing to me. I am so sick and tired of these shitbag “victim” Republicans. When did being a crying, whiny asshole get popular? “The media.” Fuck off, and if you don’t run again Wisconsin and the country will benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/5 "2021-07-22T22:02:15Z")
Also: > “I want to make sure that this U.S. Senate seat is retained in Republican hands.” Not “I want to make sure the people of Wisconsin get excellent representation in Washington.” Not “I want to make sure the Senate carries on its critical role in governing the United States.” No, it’s _the party_ that’s most important to him. Very telling, though not surprising. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/7 "2021-07-22T22:21:32Z")
PredictIt bettors seem to think it will be Rep. Mike Gallagher if Johnson doesn’t run. I’m not sure why. [Who will win the 2022 Wisconsin Republican Senate nomination?](https://www.predictit.org/markets/detail/7194/Who-will-win-the-2022-Wisconsin-Republican-Senate-nomination) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/8 "2021-07-28T17:25:26Z")
I owe you an apology. I somehow had the idea that blue language was not encouraged outside the Pit. I have since learned I am wrong about this. I’m sorry for the mod note and I’ll remove it. Curse away. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/9 "2021-07-28T17:30:15Z")
No need to apologize, I was a bit harsh, and it wasn’t a warning. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/10 "2021-07-28T17:32:02Z")
Thanks for being gracious and kind. Much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/11 "2021-07-28T18:22:11Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Also: > > > “I want to make sure that this U.S. Senate seat is retained in Republican hands.” > > Not “I want to make sure the people of Wisconsin get excellent representation in Washington.” Not “I want to make sure the Senate carries on its critical role in governing the United States.” No, it’s _the party_ that’s most important to him. > > Very telling, though not surprising. I agree. Republicans have no interest in governing. What they want is to keep Democrats from governing. Apart from tax cuts for the rich and confirming right wing judges, there isn’t any legislation that Republicans are in favor of. Name one bill that Johnson wants to pass. I bet he can’t, either. Normally I’d be all for Johnson standing down, but I’ve learned not to underestimate Republicans’ ability to find someone worse. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/12 "2021-07-28T19:37:51Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Republicans have no interest in governing. What they want is to keep Democrats from governing. They’ve made everything in this country – not just politics, but almost every aspect of society – an us-versus-them proposition, and forced us to play the same game just to survive. Of course, then _we’re_ the divisive ones. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/13 "2021-07-28T20:25:06Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I seem to recall that he promised during his first campaign to only serve 2 terms. He could fall back on that and keep his promise and save face. > > I wish he’d do it sooner than later so other potential Republican candidates could raise funds and create recognition. I’m fairly confident that whoever wins the Republican primary is going to be a terrible person, since that seems to be the GOP primary voter’s kink nowadays. Does it really matter who gets the GOP nod? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/14 "2021-07-28T21:58:37Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Does it really matter who gets the GOP nod? Yes. We need the most conservative candidate who can win the general election. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/15 "2021-07-28T22:51:08Z")
Nobody needs that. That said, the person who will in the GOP primary is going to be whoever is the most willing to lick Trump’s anus. Like really get in there. GOP primary voters don’t care about anything else. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/16 "2021-07-29T00:54:31Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Nobody needs that. I like to form my own opinions if you don’t mind. > [@Lobohan](#): > > the person who will in the GOP primary is going to be whoever is the most willing to lick Trump’s anus. Like really get in there. GOP primary voters don’t care about anything else. I’m a GOP primary voter, in Wisconsin, and I couldn’t possibly care less about what Trump wants or who he endorses. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/17 "2021-07-29T03:11:16Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “This is an incredibly frustrating place here,” Johnson said. “Having come from the private sector, running a successful business. Being able to accomplish things. When you just see the dysfunction that is Washington D.C., it can be pretty frustrating.” This is the quote that really spoke to me. Johnson’s (and I’m sure other Republicans’) frustration is that he cannot simply dictate what he wants to do, like he can when he’s the boss of his company. Instead, governing requires the hard work of making deal, compromising, and seeking common-ground solutions. All that stuff just frustrates him. Poor guy. Dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/18 "2021-07-29T15:30:43Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > > [@Lobohan](#): > > > > Nobody needs that. > > I like to form my own opinions if you don’t mind. Of course, it’s your right to reward the morons who tried to steal the election and unnecessarily killed hundreds of thousands of Americans with continued power. > [@Lobohan](#): > > the person who will in the GOP primary is going to be whoever is the most willing to lick Trump’s anus. Like really get in there. GOP primary voters don’t care about anything else. > [@](#): > > I’m a GOP primary voter, in Wisconsin, and I couldn’t possibly care less about what Trump wants or who he endorses. So what? Anecdote / data, yada yada. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/19 "2021-07-29T17:12:35Z")
It’s possible that the most conservative candidate that can win in the general is Mandela Barnes. The GOP should nominate him. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/20 "2021-07-30T00:46:17Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Not “I want to make sure the people of Wisconsin get excellent representation in Washington.” Not “I want to make sure the Senate carries on its critical role in governing the United States.” No, it’s _the party_ that’s most important to him. > > Very telling, though not surprising. Right. You would never hear a retiring Democrat saying that the most important thing is to hold the seat for the Democrats. And certainly no-one on these Boards would ever say that the important thing is to hold a seat held by a retiring Democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081/21 "2021-07-30T01:13:40Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And certainly no-one on these Boards would ever say that the important thing is to hold a seat held by a retiring Democrat. Actually, I would. The balance in DC is so precarious these days – and the consequences of GOP majorities so potentially dire – that I want every seat possible filled with a blue butt. I guess that makes me as bad as any MAGAt – but I’m not a US senator. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-johnson-may-not-run-for-re-election/947081.md?page=2)