Republican candidate for Governor Mark Neumann in an email to me this morning quashed any notion that he would mount a third party candidacy for governor. A listener posted on my Facebook Wall Friday that another radio show in Milwaukee suggested that Neumann would mount a third party candidacy if he doesn't get more support from the state GOP. I emailed Neumann campaign spokesman Chris Lato this morning looking for his response. Shortly thereafter, Mark responded to me personally:

Jerry,
 
I will respond in person…I am a Republican!  There is no consideration of anything else.  Mark

I'm not picking sides in this race but I was one of the few talk show hosts who welcomed Mark's entry into the primary race. I felt a competitive primary would generate a lot of attention for the eventual Republian nominee.

I'm still not taking sides, but the Neumann campaign is obviously frustrated by the expected endorsement of Scott Walker at the upcoming State GOP convention. I'm on record not liking the party picking a primary favorite, but I feel the Neumann campaign has fumbled, and badly, in dealing with this issue. From engaging in rumors of Walker pulling out of the race, to questionable campaign calls to GOP delegates, the Neumann campaign has forgotten rule #1 in any endeavor. Control the things you can. It would be a good lesson to revisit.