Sen. Johnson visits Ozaukee County in preparation for 2016 election

Sen. Ron Johnson spoke at a town hall meeting at the Todd Wehr Auditorium at Concordia University - Wisconsin. Sen. Johnson will be running for senate in 2016 as a republican.

Anna Kreynin

Sen. Ron Johnson spoke at a town hall meeting at the Todd Wehr Auditorium at Concordia University – Wisconsin. Sen. Johnson will be running for senate in 2016 as a republican.

Although Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin senator, says he had no intention of running for re-election after beating Russ Feingold, 2016 United States Senate election candidate, in 2010, he stood before citizens at Thursday’s town hall meeting at Concordia University – Wisconsin (CUW) and announced that he “just can’t quit.”

“I didn’t spend six years in office to leave with all these problems,” Senator Johnson said. “We’re mortgaging our kids’ futures.”

Hoping to secure a second U.S. senate term in order to solve these “problems,” Sen. Johnson has visited 72 Wisconsin counties in 40 days, answering questions and attempting to attract voters in preparation for the United States Senate election on Nov. 8, 2016.

The meeting commenced with an introduction from CUW’s Concordia Republicans president, followed by four questions from CUW students focusing on entrepreneurship, political involvement and the issue of school choice, which, according to Matt Kussow, executive director of the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools, is “turning out to be the No. 1 or No. 2 campaign issue — maybe No. 2 behind jobs.”

Advocating for school choice, Sen. Johnson said, “We have the union monopolies of schools and they’re not doing well… [School choice] is bringing the competition and giving people the choice.”

The remaining time was allotted to answering attendees’ questions regarding corporate tax rates, presidential candidates and federal government involvement.

Whether they support Sen. Johnson’s views or not, those in attendance said the town hall meeting proved valuable.

“I think it was a great experience to attend not only to become more informed but also to meet with a man who represents our state in the Senate, regardless of if you agree with him or not,” Thomas DeGuire, senior, said.

Sen. Johnson shakes hands with CUW's Concordia Republicans president before beginning his question and answer session.
Sen. Johnson shakes hands with CUW’s Concordia Republicans president before beginning his question and answer session.
CUW students sit on stage and present their questions to Sen. Johnson.
Denise Seyfer
CUW students sit on stage and present their questions to Sen. Johnson.
Audience members await the start of Thursday's town hall meeting at the Todd Wehr Auditorium at CUW.
Denise Seyfer
Audience members await the start of Thursday’s town hall meeting at the Todd Wehr Auditorium at CUW.
Sen. Johnson speaks to citizens at The Nines before answering questions at a town hall meeting at CUW.
Denise Seyfer
Sen. Johnson speaks to citizens at The Nines before answering questions at a town hall meeting at CUW.