In a rare joint interview, former Republican Gov. Tommy G. Thompson and his brother, Ed Thompson, talked about their political choices. Tommy Thompson said he won’t decide whether to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold until after an April vacation with his family, but predicted that would beat Feingold if he decides to run. Ed Thompson, the mayor of Tomah and the 2002 Libertarian candidate for governor, is running as a Republican against Democratic State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, of Alma. The Thompson brothers also discussed their childhoods and lessons learned from their father, who operated a grocery store and head of the Roads and Bridges Committee of the local county board.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker was interviewed on Mike Gousha’s "On the Issues" at Marquette Law School on March 11, 2010.

Dane County District Attorney and Court of Appeals Candidate Brian Blanchard and his opponent, Judge Edward Leineweber, debated on March 10, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel in Madison. District Attorney Blanchard is seeking the open seat on Wisconsin’s Appeals Court in District 4, created by the retirement of Judge Charles Dykman.

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett and Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz toured small businesses on Monroe Street in Madison- Orange Tree Imports, J Kinney Florist and Trader Joes.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett was interviewed on Mike Gousha’s "On the Issues" at Marquette Law School on March 4, 2010. Barrett reacted to the U.S. decision that Wisconsin will not receive first round funding for "Race to the Top."

Ben Collins, one of four Republican candidates for lieutenant governor, explained why he entered politics after nine years in the military, which included tours of duty in Afghanistan as a Green Beret, in his first Campaign 2010 interview with WisconsinEye. Collins, 32, a Lake Geneva small businessman, is making his first bid for elective office.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association held its annual Realtor and Government Day on February 24, 2010 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Republican gubernatorial candidates Scott Walker and Mark Newmann spoke.

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett spoke at the Business Day in Madison legislative conference was held on February 23, 2010 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

Gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker spoke at the Business Day in Madison legislative conference was held on February 23, 2010 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

State Representative Brett Davis announced at the State Capitol on February 22, 2010 that he entering the race for Lieutenant Governor. His two-day, six-city swing across Wisconsin began Monday in Madison. Davis has represented Green County and portions of Dane, Rock and Lafayette Counties in the State Assembly since his election in 2004.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett toured Lucigen Corporation in Middleton, WI as part of his Wisconsin Jobs Tour. David Mead, CEO of Lucigen, lead the tour. Lucigen is a biological products manufacturer. During his public comments, Mayor Barrett said that Governor Doyle’s climate change legislation will not pass in its current form and will need to be significantly changed in order to be passed.

Scott Walker, 2010 gubernatorial candidate, spoke at the Wisconsin Economic Development Association Legislative Committee Meeting on February 10 at the Madison Club, Madison. The theme of the event was “Getting Wisconsin Back in the Race.”

Three gubernatorial candidates spoke at restaurant lobby day on Wednesday, February 10 at Monona Terrace. Three leading candidates for Wisconsin’s open governor’s seat spoke to an audience of restaurateurs; Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, Former Congressman Mark Neumann and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Republican Parties of Rock County and Walworth County held a Lincoln Day Dinner on January 31, 2010, at the Eclipse Center in Beloit, Wisconsin. Speakers included U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan and candidate for governor, Scott Walker. Candidates for state and local office were also in attendance. The Master of Ceremonies for the event is radio talk show personality and political strategist, Brian Schimming.

On January 21, 2010 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions have a constitutional right to expenditures – including running ads – to influence partisan and nonpartisan elections.  President Obama said it opened the “flood gates” for special-interest money in those contests. But campaign-finance experts say that’s an overstatement, because corporate money has found its way into elections and the decision simply gives those organizations the same rights as individuals. What the ruling may mean for Wisconsin was debated in a Campaign 2010 panel that featured attorney Mike Wittenwyler, Jay Heck of Common Cause of Wisconsin, UW-Madison Associate Professor Howard Schweber, and Jonathan Becker, a division administrator for Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, which enforces campaign finance laws.   

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s (R) State of the Economy Address from the State Capitol on January 26, 2010.

In a campaign 2010 interview, Republican lieutenant governor candidate Rebecca Kleefisch said her experence as a mother, former anchorwoman at a Milwaukee TV station and marketing consultant gives her a background to be an effective partner for the next GOP governor. Kleefisch, of Oconomoc, is one of four announced GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and is married to Republican Rep. Joel Kleefisch. Democratic Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is not seeking re-election.  

Gubernatorial candidate, Scott Walker (R) appeared at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards forum held January 20, 2010 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.

Note: Gubernatorial Candidate Forum Announcement On Wednesday, Jan. 20, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) held a gubernatorial candidate forum in conjunction with the 89th State Education Convention in Milwaukee. Due to a scheduling error, Mark Neumann, candidate for governor, was not present at the forum. The WASB takes full responsibility for the error and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett visited the Wausau Business Development Center, an entrepreneurial incubator in north central Wisconsin. Mayor Barrett toured several companies, and discussed his plan for job and economic growth.

The friends of Representative Kim Hixson, Senator Judy Robson, Speaker Mike Sheridan and Representative Chuck Benedict gathered at the Speakeasy in Janesville for a fundraising event on Saturday, January 9, 2010.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terrence Wall, who started his successful career as a Madison-area commercial developer when he was a college student, said in his first Campaign 2010 interview with WisconsinEye on Friday that he is running to head off the economic and budget “train wreck” facing the nation. Wall, 45, said he plans to spend between $7.5 million and $10 million on his bid to defeat Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold, who he said supports a universal health care plan that would destroy what Wall said is the best health-care system in the world. Feingold is running for his fourth six-year term.

Because the Republican primary for governor is still nine months away, gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann said he isn't impressed by analysts and commentators who say he's lagging Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Walker has been running for five years, Neumann said in a Campaign 2010 interview. Neumann, the home builder and former 1st District congressman, said he is in the governor's race "to stay.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican candidate for governor, said in a Campaign 2010 interview that as governor he would recommend repeal of more than $700 million in 2011-13 tax increases on highest-earning residents and businesses enacted by Democratic legislators and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Walker also said he would like for state government finances to improve so dramatically the $629-million corporate income tax could be abolished. And, he said he would welcome former Republican Gov. Tommy G. Thompson running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold next year.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced his Democratic candidacy for governor on November 15, 2009 outside of his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After the formal announcement, Barrett also answered reporters' questions.

Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive and Republican candidate for governor hosted a "Rally to Victory" to mark exactly one year until Election Day on November 2, 2010. The rally was held November 2, 2009 at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee.

Milwaukee Alderman Anthony (Tony) Zielinski joined WisconsinEye Senior Producer Steve Walters for a discussion about his intention to run as a candidate for the office of Lt. Governor. The interview took place on October 9, 2009 at Marshall Montessori IB School in Milwaukee.

State Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) joined WisconsinEye Senior Producer Steve Walters for a discussion about his intention to run as a candidate for the office of Lt. Governor. The interview took place on September 21, 2009 at WisconsinEye's Madison studio.

State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon) joined WisconsinEye Senior Producer Steve Walters for a discussion about his intention to run as a candidate for the office of Lt. Governor. The interview took place on September 18, 2009 at WisconsinEye's Madison studio.

Dave Ross, Mayor of Superior and Republican Candidate for Lt. Governor joined WisconsinEye host Steve Walters for a discussion about his 2010 run for the office of Lt. Governor. The interview took place at WisconsinEye's Madison studio on September 2, 2009.

Mark O'Connell, Executive Director for the Wisconsin Counties Association and potential candidate for governor, joined WisconsinEye host Steve Walters for a discussion about the 2010 gubernatorial race. The interview took place at WisconsinEye's Madison studio on August 27, 2009.

The Winnebago County Republican Party Annual Corn Roast took place at Town of Clayton Park in Larsen, Wisconsin on August 24, 2009. Local elected officials in attendance included State Legislators: Rep. Dean Kaufert, Sen. Mike Ellis, Sen. Randy Hopper, Rep. Roger Roth, Rep. Richard Spanbauer; U.S. Congressman Tom Petri; Dave Westlake, candidate for U.S. Senate; and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker.

Mark Neumann, former U.S. Congressman (WI-District 1, 1994-1998) and current candidate for governor, joined WisconsinEye host Steve Walters for a discussion about the 2010 gubernatorial race. The interview took place at Neumann's Waukesha campaign office on August 21, 2009.

Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive and candidate for governor, joined WisconsinEye host Steve Walters for a discussion about the 2010 gubernatorial race. The interview took place at WisconsinEye's Madison studio on August 21, 2009.

Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin and General Counsel for the Republican National Committee, joined WisconsinEye host Steve Walters for a discussion about the 2010 election cycle. The interview took place at WisconsinEye's Madison studio on August 21, 2009.

Charles H. Franklin is a co-developer and contributor to Pollster.com, and a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin where he teaches statistical analysis of polls, public opinion and election results. Steve Walters, WisconsinEye host and former Madison Bureau Chief for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, interviewed Franklin about the upcoming gubernatorial race now that Governor Doyle announced he will not seek a third term. The interview took place at the WisconsinEye studio in Madison, on August 19, 2009.

The CFA Society of Madison invited Mark Neumann, candidate for Governor, and Jason Punzel, candidate for State Treasurer to speak at the Madison Club on August 13, 2009.  

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, held a fundraiser at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center in Milwaukee on June 29, 2009. The featured speaker was former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gengrich.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announced his bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination on Wednesday, April 28, 2009. The event took place in Dane County at Henry Farms. Walker has served as county executive since he won a special election in 2002. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2008. He also served as a Republican member of the state Assembly for about nine years.