Wisconsin Rep. Adam Jarchow gets into the race to replace state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf

MADISON – State Rep. Adam Jarchow jumped into the race for state Senate on Friday, just as Sen. Sheila Harsdorf joined Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.

“If elected, I am committed to carrying on (Harsdorf’s) legacy of commonsense and tenacious commitment to representing the good people of … northwestern Wisconsin in the state Senate,” Jarchow said in a statement announcing his plans.

Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake) immediately got backing from Rep. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and five former GOP representatives from the area.

Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) is also expected to consider a run, but he has not changed his candidate registration. He did not respond to interview requests this week.

Democrats have not announced who they might run for the seat but have said they are recruiting candidates.

Walker on Friday called a special election for the seat for Jan. 16. A primary will be held Dec. 19 if needed.

He called the special election just hours after naming Harsdorf, a Republican from River Falls, as his secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported this week she was in line to get that job.

Harsdorf's district covers parts of Burnett, Polk, St. Croix and Pierce counties in western Wisconsin. Campaigning there is expensive because it is in the Minneapolis media market.

Republicans control the Senate 20-13. With Harsdorf out, there majority will drop to 19-13 for the time being.

Whoever wins the seat will finish Harsdorf's term and then face re-election in 2020.

Harsdorf's departure will also open a seat on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) will decide who gets that job.

Harsdorf, 61, is replacing Ben Brancel, who stepped down as agriculture secretary in August.

She will follow in her brother Jim's footsteps. He was agriculture secretary from 2001 to 2003 under GOP Gov. Scott McCallum.

Sheila Harsdorf joined the Senate in 2001, taking the seat her brother gave up to lead the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.