Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) recently announced he would not be seeking re-election to the 18 Senate District. The first term state senator was elected in 2012 and will complete his four year term following the 2016 fall election cycle.

Sen. Gudex, the president pro tempore of the Senate, serves on the Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges. Additionally, Sen. Gudex is the chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Commerce and vice-chair of the Committee on Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs.

Gudex is also a board member for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Following Gudex’s announcement, Fond du Lac County GOP Chair Dan Feyen announced he plans to run for the open senate seat. Feyen has served as the county chair of the party since 2007. Citing the numerous open jobs in the state, Feyen announced he wants to work on closing the skills gap and improve Wisconsin’s infrastructure.

Democratic Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris announced in September that he would challenge Gudex in 2016. Harris has emphasized the need to spend more on public education funding and increase job growth. Harris challenged U.S. Rep. Glen Grothman for a U.S. Congressional seat in 2014, losing by nearly 16 percentage points.

Both candidates will most likely face other challenges in primary elections to the seat.