Race for the 8th starts early

On the outskirts of Sister Bay, on the Wildwood Farm, you'll find a man who wants to be a congressman.

"There's plenty of open space for somebody like me who really is interested in politics," said Republican Mark Savard.

With the election more than a year and a half away, Savard is already running radio ads. His website is up and running. Savard is a farmer and is currently on the Door County Board. But his sights are set on Washington, D.C.

"We can't be dealing with hope,"Savard said. "We have to deal with reality, which is that the budget is upside down. The country is upside down. We need to get our fiscal house in order before we do anything else."

"Congressional races typically are running all the time," said Tim Dale, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Dale said Savard has the right idea, at least when it comes to getting attention.

"In a sense, if you want to run against (incumbent Steve) Kagen, the early really is better to get your name out there," Dale said.

A spokesman for Kagen says he's not thinking about re-election right now. In a statement, Jake Rubin said, "Congressman Kagen is working hard to bring about the changes we need like creating jobs and getting our economy back on track. That is his focus right now."

Savard may be the first Republican to thrown his hat in the ring, but don't expect him to be the last.

"It's early but we expect one or two more people to be in the race," said Tom Van Drasek, chairman of the Republican Party in Brown County. "There will be faces and that's what's gonna make it exciting and gives us a good chance: new faces with new ideas," he added.

"If they want to, go ahead. I'm in and let's see what happens," Savard said.

We will see what happens, but first we have to wait.

Republican John Gard, who lost the last two elections to Kagen, tells FOX 11 it is it highly unlikely that he will run again in 2010, although Gard says he will stay involved in politics.