Democrat Dan Kohl to run against GOP incumbent Glenn Grothman for House seat

Lillian Price | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON – Democrat Dan Kohl, nephew of former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, is running for Congress against Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman.

Kohl, of Mequon, is running in 2018 to represent the 6th Congressional District in east-central Wisconsin. The 51-year-old businessman and non-profit leader cited Grothman's record as one of the most partisan House members as one reason for running against the incumbent.

"I’m running for Congress because Washington is broken, and our congressman puts his party’s priorities ahead of our priorities," Kohl said in a campaign statement.

Grothman was first elected in 2014 to represent the House district, where Republicans have won House elections since 1964. Republicans said Kohl didn't have any better chance of winning election next year than he did in 2008, when he lost a run for the state Assembly.

"Wisconsin Democrats are continuing to show that they aren't 'Made in Wisconsin' and would rather promote the liberal Washington status quo instead," state GOP spokesman Alec Zimmerman said.

Kohl's uncle is the former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, where Dan Kohl worked as an assistant general manager as part of his 13-year career there. The Democratic candidate is the former political director and vice president of political affairs at J Street, a liberal pro-Israel advocacy group.

Scott Olmer of Plymouth has also announced his candidacy as a Democrat for the seat.

The district includes all or part of 12 counties: Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Manitowoc, Marquette, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Waushara and Winnebago. Grothman lives in the Town of Glenbeulah in Sheboygan County.