LaFollette, who has held his office for most of the past 40 years, noted he was the only Dem to win statewide in 2010 and 2014, both of which were non-presidential years. He said Dems need to work much harder outside of presidential years to turn out supporters.

Wisconsin would look much different, he said, if Gov. Scott Walker, AG Brad Schimel and state Treasurer Matt Adamczyk had to run in presidential years.

“We wouldn’t have Walker if he had to run in presidential years. We wouldn’t have the most conservative attorney general that you could imagine if he had to run in presidential years, and we would not have the absolute lunatic we have as state treasurer if he had to run in presidential years,” said LaFollette, who has clashed with Adamczyk.

-- By JR Ross