Kapanke's campaign manager said Tuesday the campaign is not involved in any talks of running a Democratic candidate.

"If we have six weeks or ... 10 weeks, the timing of it is not a concern for us," Jennifer Harrington said. "We're not in the business of candidate recruitment. We're focused on the campaign. Any conversations are happening outside of this campaign."

Kapanke spoke at the Wednesday night meeting but arrived after the discussion about planting a Democratic candidate.

At the same meeting, Kapanke was recorded saying he was in trouble because of the large number of public employees in his district and that he hopes they "are sleeping" on election day, according to a tape obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

La Crosse Republican Party chairman Bill Feehan wasn't at the meeting and said he wasn't familiar with the discussion about a Democratic candidate.

"There's nothing official to it," Feehan said. "I'm sure that people would like to see a contested primary for the Democrats. I'm sure there are people who recognize that would be beneficial (for Kapanke)."

Other local party members, including the secretary and communications officer, said they did not recall specifics of the conversation.