Updates: Kohl Will Not Seek Re-Election

State Sen. Herb Kohl announced that he would not run for re-election. Kohl has been in office since 1989 and easily won all five terms since then.

The democratic Senator is known for his charitable efforts, such as establishing The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Achievement Award Program.

The Milwaukee native helped build the family-owned Kohl's grocery chain and department stores and in the 90's bought the Milwaukee Bucks.

"The office doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the people of Wisconsin, and there is something to be said for not staying in office too long," he said at a press conference today. "I've always believed that it is better to leave a job too early than a little too late, and that's how I feel today."

Today Gov. Scott Walker issued the following statement on Senator Kohl’s announcement, "On behalf of all of us in Wisconsin, I want to thank Senator Kohl for his service in the United States Senate," said Walker. "He has been a tremendous advocate for Wisconsin—as well as a great supporter of our state in both his public and private live. We thank him for more than two decades of service."

First District U.S. Congressional candidate Robert Zerban who plans to run against Paul Ryan, “Sen. Herb Kohl has been a tireless advocate for the people of Wisconsin and this country. From working to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for our seniors to his deep investment in putting our middle class families first, Sen. Kohl has been a strong advocate for driving Wisconsin forward."