EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- A local state senator says she has what it takes to take on Governor Scott Walker.

Democrat Kathleen Vinehout says she’ll face off against the republican governor if there’s a recall election.

While the recall signatures are still being counted and a democratic primary looms, Senator Vinehout joins former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk in a growing pool of candidates.

Speaking on the steps of the State Capitol Building in Madison on Wednesday, Vinehout said she’s ready to make Wisconsin a welcoming place again and is looking forward to the campaign.

But some are wondering if Vinehout has enough name recognition to make it to the Governor’s Mansion.

“I think the very first thing I would do that does affect my home district is to change those signs that you face when you come in from Minnesota that says ‘open for business.’ And I think that typifies the direction this state needs to move,” Vinehout said.

Vinehout is a farmer turned State Senator from Alma, a town in Buffalo County.

The 53-year-old has been serving the 31st Senate District since 2006, winning reelection in 2010 by 439 votes.

WEAU 13 News political analyst John Frank said this could be the right time for Vinehout to run for two reasons.

“First reason is you're never going to find a time where the incumbent is more vulnerable. Second reason is her term in office coincides with the governor. So if she wants to run for governor without giving up her senate seat, she's going to do it now,” Frank said.

Her competition right now is Kathleen Falk, a former Dane County Executive.

She was out campaigning on Wednesday and talked about Vinehout joining the race.

“I'm grateful to live in a democracy where people are free to run and citizens get to choose,” Falk said.

And although Vinehout may not have the name recognition that Falk has, Frank said she could be the democratic primary’s dark horse.

“When you look at Senator Vinehout, it's probably to her advantage that someone else is running. If you do have more than two people are running she may be the choice with 33 or 25 percent of the vote,” Frank said.

Vinehout said it’s likely voters are already familiar with her in Western Wisconsin.

“I’ve spent a lot of time there and right now I need to introduce myself to voters in the eastern part of the state,” Vinehout said.

WEAU has learned that Kathleen Falk has received an endorsement from the Wisconsin Education Association Council, or WEAC.

WEAU contacted Falk’s campaign spokesperson who said Falk will veto any budget that doesn’t include brining collective bargaining rights back.

The Republican Party of Wisconsin is reacting to Vinehout’s announcement and said in a statement:

“Kathleen Vinehout is nothing more than a cheerleader for the failed policies of the Doyle administration that led to three straight years of job loss, and buried our state beneath a massive $3.6 billion budget deficit. Wisconsin voters still haven't forgotten a year ago when rather than getting to work balancing our budget, Vinehout was one of 14 Democratic State Senators who abandoned her constituents for the sake of an Illinois vacation. Regardless of which 'Kathleen' the Democrats nominate, Wisconsin families have shown they'll continue to stand with Governor Walker, who has balanced our $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes and has already created thousands of jobs.”

Phone calls to Governor Walker were not returned.
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout of Alma says she is running for governor if a recall election is ordered against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Vinehout on Wednesday joined former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk as the only announced Democrats. Several others are considering getting in, but even if no one does a primary would be necessary.

The recall petitions are in the process of being verified and no date for a primary or general election has been set.

Vinehout is one of the 14 Democratic state senators who fled to Illinois last year for three weeks to stop a vote on Walker's proposal curbing public employee union rights. A farmer, the 53-year-old Vinehout was first elected in 2006 and won re-election in 2010 by 439 votes.

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NEWS RELEASE-Senator Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, a former dairy farmer and college professor, today announced she will run for Governor in this year’s upcoming recall election.

“We need a fresh start and a new attitude in Wisconsin politics and government,” Vinehout said. “I have the experience and temperament necessary to lead.”

“We need a governor who will lead with self restraint; who will be clear and open about her intentions; who will respect Wisconsin’s traditions of good government; who supports and takes pride in our schools; who values the skills workers bring to their jobs. We need a governor who wants to solve problems, not score political points,” said Vinehout. “I pledge to be that kind of governor.”

Vinehout, 53, was elected to the state Senate five years ago from a largely rural district in western Wisconsin.

Vinehout has been a passionate advocate of affordable health insurance and fair funding of schools. In her work on Joint Committee on Audit she oversaw audits that uncovered the overuse of expensive contractors; problems with accountability and transparency in state programs; unbudgeted expenses and rising state debt.

Vinehout has a background in education, agriculture and health care. She taught health administration for 10 years and spent another decade operating the family dairy farm. While farming, Vinehout received many quality milk awards and was elected president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association in Buffalo County.

Vinehout resides on the farm with her family. The farm is now certified organic and produces hay and grain.

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[MADISON, WI]- Republican Party of Wisconsin Communications Director Ben Sparks released the following statement regarding Kathleen Vinehout’s pursuit to restore failed Democrat policies in Wisconsin:

“Kathleen Vinehout is nothing more than a cheerleader for the failed policies of the Doyle administration that led to three straight years of job loss, and buried our state beneath a massive $3.6 billion budget deficit. Wisconsin voters still haven't forgotten a year ago when rather than getting to work balancing our budget, Vinehout was one of 14 Democratic State Senators who abandoned her constituents for the sake of an Illinois vacation. Regardless of which 'Kathleen' the Democrats nominate, Wisconsin families have shown they'll continue to stand with Governor Walker, who has balanced our $3.6 billion budget deficit without raising taxes and has already created thousands of jobs.”