GOP Sen. Ron Johnson seeks reelection because ‘America is in peril’ [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• GOP Sen. Ron Johnson announced his run for a third term in office.
• In 2016, Johnson pledged to only serve for two terms in the Senate.
• The Republican senator said ‘America is in peril’ due to ‘Democrats’ complete takeover of government.’

Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin announced Sunday that he will run for reelection in 2022. He explained that he wants to retire from Congress, but is instead running for a third term because ‘America is in peril’ due to ‘Democrats’ complete takeover of government.’

Johnson is one of former President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies in the chamber. 

Johnson made his decision to seek reelection official with a Wall Street Journal op-ed, declaring he will “continue to fight for freedom in the public realm.”

“It is a decision I haven’t made lightly,” he said. “Having already experienced a growing level of vitriol and false attacks, I certainly don’t expect better treatment in the future. For my campaign to succeed, I will need the support of every American who values the truth and refuses to allow lies and distortions to prevail.”

Johnson was first elected to the office in 2010 as part of the Tea Party wave that swept across the country during the midterm elections. In 2016, he pledged to only serve two terms in the U.S. Senate. Last month, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he was facing pressure to run again in 2022. 

“I never anticipated the importance of continuing to uncover the corruption,” Johnson said. “But also just this moment, right here, this is crucial that Republicans retain this Senate seat and I think just about everybody I talk to says I probably have the best chance of doing that.”

Wisconsin will be one of the most competitive and expensive U.S. Senate races later this year. Several high-profile Democrats are vying for the chance to take on Johnson, including Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and Alex Lasry, who is on leave from his role as an executive with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Johnson has faced criticism from his opponents this year over controversial comments he has made about COVID-19 vaccines, the January 6 Capitol attack, climate change and Dr. Anthony Fauci.  

Johnson defeated former Democratic Senator Russ Feingold in both the 2010 and 2016 elections.

He predicted that Democrats will spend ‘tens of millions of dollars’ in an effort to ‘destroy and defeat me’.

‘We cannot let them win,’ Johnson wrote.

Source: CBS News