Tom Nelson (Wisconsin politician)

In 2010, Nelson announced that he was running for the position of Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, rather than seek re-election to the Assembly.[13] He gave up his position of Majority Leader post with the goal of helping Tom Barrett defeat Scott Walker.[14]

Nelson waited until the end of the legislative session to launch his campaign because he wanted to focus on “his legislative responsibilities”.[15] Nelson officially announced his candidacy on May 25, 2010[16] just over three months before the fall primary on September 10, 2010.[17]

On September 14, Nelson won the Democratic nomination in a four-way race, defeating State Senator Spencer Coggs and two others.[18]

During the general election, Nelson made repeated requests to Republican lieutenant governor nominee Rebecca Kleefish to debate, but Kleefisch refused.[19][20] The gubernatorial candidates debated three times.[21]

Nelson and running mate Tom Barrett (who ran as a ticket) were defeated in the 2010 general election by Rebecca Kleefisch and Scott Walker.[22]

On April 5, 2011, Nelson defeated former Republican State Treasurer of Wisconsin Jack Voight for county executive of Outagamie County, by roughly 52% - 48%. He had advanced to the general election by winning a six-way primary in February. He sought re-election two times in 2015 and 2019 and was uncontested in each race.[23]

In his second term, Nelson filed an objection[24] in Outagamie County Circuit Court to the sale of Appleton Coated, a paper mill founded in 1889[25] in the village of Combined Locks to an industrial scrap dealer, Industrial Assets of California.[26] The distressed mill had filed for receivership in August 2017.[27] The United Steelworkers which represented hourly workers at the mill also objected. Under Wisconsin receivership law, individuals or entities affected by the sale can object to the sale.[28] At subsequent court hearings, USW and Nelson's case was heard.[29] Their appeal was successful. The presiding judge directed the presumptive new owner, Industrial Assets, to run the plant or find a buyer who would.[30] Industrial Assets chose to run the facility as a going concern and not sell it off as parts and the mill was operational beginning December of that year.[31] The third and final paper machine went online in March of the following year.[32]

At the beginning of his third term in 2019, Nelson opposed the adoption of a county-wide sales tax. Outagamie County was one of just six counties (out of 72) that had not yet implemented a county sales tax, although it had been debating the matter on and off since the 1980s.[33] In June, Nelson vetoed the tax,[34] citing widespread opposition to the measure.[35] The county board overrode his veto[36] and the tax took effect in January 2020.[37] Prior to his veto, Nelson ran a radio ad touting his objection to the sales tax and calling on residents to contact their supervisors. Supervisors demanded Nelson take down his ad, but Nelson demurred,[38] citing his right to run the ads.[39]

On April 7, 2016, Nelson announced that he would run for the U.S. Congress seat being vacated by retiring Representative Reid Ribble. Nelson was recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[40] The committee reserved $730,000 for its independent expenditure arm and the Super PAC, House Majority PAC, $200,000.[41] Late in the campaign, Nelson made the committee's Red to Blue program, the top-tier races.[42] At the beginning of the general election campaign following the August primary, the race was considered a pure toss up[43] by the Rothenberg and Gonzalez Political Report.

Nelson was endorsed by Our Revolution[44] a coalition of former Bernie Sanders that backed progressive candidates across the country. He also received substantial labor backing with contributions from thirteen labor-PACs.[45][46] He also received endorsements from the National Committee to Protect Social Security and Medicare and League of Conservation Voters.[47]

Nelson raised about $1.8 million over the course of a seven-month campaign Gallagher raised almost $1 million more[48] ($2.7 million) than Nelson. Outside groups outspent Nelson by a margin of three-to-one compared to his opponent Gallagher.[49] He lost to former Walker aide and US Senate staff Mike Gallagher, who won 63% of the vote.

On October 20, 2020, Nelson filed with the Federal Election Commission, indicating a run for the U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin.[50] On October 26, 2020, Nelson formally announced his candidacy.[51]