Political newcomer to take on Steve Kagen

Republicans are touting political newcomer Reid Ribble’s (R) announcement on Thursday that he will take on Rep. Steve Kagen (D) next year in Wisconsin’s 8th District.

Ribble met with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) last week, according to the Post-Crescent, and the committee was quick to sing the roof contractor’s praises in a statement on Thursday while firing away at Kagen.

“Kagen’s vote for a trillion-dollar stimulus bill undoubtedly would have come back to haunt him, but Reid Ribbles candidacy presents an even steeper uphill battle for a Kagen re-election,” Paul Lindsay, an NRCC spokesman, said in a statement.

Kagen’s seat is one that Republicans will have to pick up if they want to make significant gains next year. The northeast Wisconsin district is rated as R+2 by the Cook Political Report. President Obama carried it by a significant eight point margin last year, though, and Kagen also coasted to an eight point victory in his first reelection bid.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com