Former Republican state senator Randy Hopper has dropped out of the race for the 8th senate district. Hopper said he is dropping out because he didn’t want to play a spoiler role in the crowded Republican field. In dropping out, he endorsed Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown, for the seat. Hopper said in a statement the short time frame of the special election to replace former GOP Sen. Alberta Darling makes it “impossible” to mount a vigorous campaign. Hopper lives in River Hills, but was a Fond du Lac resident when he was first elected to the 18th Senate District in 2008. He was defeated in a recall election by Democrat Jessica King in August 2011. Hopper was one of six Republican senators to face a recall election following the passage of Act 10 that stripped most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.
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