Democrat Russ Feingold plans to travel widely across Wisconsin, raising speculation that he will again seek public office.
Feingold lost his U.S. Senate seat in 2010 to Republican Ron Johnson - who is up for re-election, next year.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Feingold says he wants to listen to the concerns of Wisconsin residents, as he decides how to best serve the state and country. He will not say whether he is interested in challenging Johnson.
Here is his full statement:
Friends, As I complete my final week at the State Department, I am so grateful to President Obama and Secretary Kerry for the opportunity to serve our country and represent America’s ideals in one of the most challenging yet promising regions of Africa. After I leave the State Department this week, I will spend portions of 2015 teaching international relations and law at Stanford University. For most of the rest of this year, I will be living at my home in Middleton, Wisconsin, from where I will travel the state extensively. I will listen carefully to my fellow Wisconsinites talk about their concerns, especially those involving their economic well-being. I will also seek their counsel on how I can best further serve my country and the state I love. -Russ
Feingold is leaving his job as special envoy with the U.S. State Dept. and plans to teach at Stanford University, when he's not traveling throughout Wisconsin.