Chances for a GOP takeover of the senate rose yesterday when former senator Russ Feingold issued a statement declining to run for the senate seat being vacated by Herb Kohl. JSOnline: Democrat Russ Feingold has decided he will not be a candidate for political office next year, taking himself out of the running in 2012 for either U.S. senator or for governor in the event Democrats force a recall election against Republican Gov. Scott Walker. In an email going out to supporters early Friday morning, Feingold called it a difficult decision but said he wanted to devote his time to teaching full time at Marquette Law School, finishing the book he is writing on the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attacks and leading the political committee he founded, Progressives United. "While I may seek elective office again someday, I have decided not to run for public office during 2012," Feingold said in the email. Some Democrats were looking to Feingold as perhaps their leading candidate against...(Read Full Post)