Kagen steps up re-election bid

OCONTO FALLS - Seeking his third term, U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, D-8th Dist., is beginning to make his campaign push with just more than two months to Election Day.

"Really beginning to go around the district to ask what they want me to do now," said Kagen.

Kagen plans to visit 50 cities and towns in the district in four days to meet with supporters. He stopped in at the senior center in Oconto Falls to stump for votes and listen to their concerns.

Throughout the district, his opponents are battling themselves.

Terri McCormick, Reid Ribble and Roger Roth are offering signs of change, pushing a conservative Republican agenda. Each is looking for a way to stand out in order to get the primary nod to take on Kagen in November.

"I think if there is one thing that sets me apart it's the 30 years of working in the private sector running my own company creating jobs and balancing budgets that sets me apart from the rest in the primary field right now," said Ribble.

While Ribble is a newcomer, Roth says he hopes to stand out with his experience in the Legislature and the military.

"We have a grassroots campaign going on all over this district and we're going to show people how you win an election in 2010 and that's by pounding the pavement and shaking hands," said Roth.

In a recent debate, McCormick also pushed political and private sector experience to offer voters a change.

"I hope Republicans, independents and conservatives of every stripe will tune into our campaign and look at our website and get involved," said McCormick.

FOX 11 asked Kagen, "If you had your choice of which Republican candidate you face in the general election which one would it be?"

"I think I'm running against the whole Republican Party, don't you think?" said Kagen.

While Kagen is keeping an eye on the competition, he also knows the Democratic Party is facing some backlash because of the struggling economy, and he's working to set himself apart from that too.

"I don't think people here in Oconto Falls care about what party I'm in. What they want to know is I'm on their side," said Kagen.

The primary election will be held Sept. 14 and the general election takes place Nov. 2.