For Immediate release                                      Contact Tim Lakin       (920)929-8580

Statement from Tim Lakin, Republican Candidate for the 18^th State Senate District.

(Fond du Lac)   Over 4 months ago, I entered the State Senate race for four reasons:

-First and foremost, Jessica King is wrong for the 18^th Senate District and wrong for Wisconsin

-Second, I thought that our campaign had the best chance of defeating her.

-Third, I thought that I would make one heck of a great State Senator

-Fourth, I wanted to make a difference for the citizens of this state.

Over the past 4 months I have met many great people in this district and throughout the State and I am a better person for these relationships that I have forged.  Over that time I have had the support and dedication of some wonderful people.  To run this campaign properly, I had set a fundraising goal that I needed to meet by July 1^st.  Unfortunately, we did not hit our goal.

Looking at these numbers, it became very clear that our fundraising total would only allow us to run a campaign at fraction of what we needed to run it at.  In addition, these resources would have to be used against my Republican opponent, an un-appealing option for me.  A primary election would most certainly have stretched resources and split our party supporters.  Then, even if we made it through the primary, our campaign would have faced an enormous challenge against our Democratic opponent.  A campaign that focuses on this challenger now will most certainly have a greater chance of representing this district come November 4^th.

With this in mind, I regret to inform you that I am withdrawing from the 18^th State Senate District race.

I believe that some times as a leader it is ok to take a step to the side and let others carry the torch forward, moving our entire cause to a new level.  Randy Hopper has recently entered the State Senate race, and after discussion have found we share in a common goal for this State.  Our vision for the 18^th Senate District is similar and we both have very conservative values.  I will give my full support and endorsement to Randy as he carries this movement “forward”.

I want to thank all of our unbelievably great supporters for their time and commitment to this campaign.  Your sacrifices will never be forgotten and I love all of you for all you have done.  I also ask that you help support our friend Randy Hopper in November.

This is not the end; I am simply taking a break from State politics for now and will work hard to get candidates with conservative values elected this November. At the young age of 32 I have plenty of time to run for these offices in the future and intend to do so.  I believe in a statement that one of our greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan once said, “Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known.” 

That time for me is in the future and I will be prepared once called for duty to serve this great state in the near future.  For now, I will carry on my duties as City of Fond du Lac City Council President and take great pride being a citizen of the State of Wisconsin.  As our state motto says, I intend to help move this state “Forward”.

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