Republicans still have no legit Senate candidate in Wisconsin with less than a year to go

Wealthy businessman Scott Mayer tells the National Journal's Sydney Kashiwagi that he's still interested in challenging Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin—and that he's willing to run against the National Republican Senatorial Committee's top recruit if it comes down to it.

D.C. Republicans have been wooing another rich businessman, Eric Hovde, but he has yet to make up his mind and face a contested primary if he decides to run after all. "Eric's a good guy, I like him, I don't have anything against him," Mayer told Kashiwagi. But when asked if he'd defer to Hovde, he responded, "I can't commit to that at this point."

Mayer, who is the father of NASCAR driver Sam Mayer, went on, "It's not as simple as if he runs, I won't, or if I won't run, he won't. It's probably a little bit more significant and deeper than that, but we don't want a bloody primary." Mayer says he'll decide in the first quarter of next year; the primary is set for Aug. 13.