(Watertown, WI)- Dave Westlake has announced his candidacy for the United States Senate on the Republican ticket. Westlake, a small business owner from Watertown and 1995 West Point graduate will challenge 3-term incumbent Russ Feingold in 2010.

"My family and I are excited about this campaign and the opportunity to potentially represent the good-hearted people of Wisconsin in Washington D.C." said Westlake. "I believe that the reckless spending and big-government agenda of our current administration—particularly when it's unchecked by any party balance in Congress—is dangerous for us now and devastating for us in the long run. It directly impacts our homes and families, our jobs, and some of the fundamental freedoms we're accustomed to—like choosing the types of cars we drive or partaking in the hobbies we enjoy."

In addition to his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the United States Military Academy, Mr. Westlake also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

"I realize that our current economy is challenging us all in a way that we haven't experienced in a long time. You and I are struggling each day to pay our bills and wondering if we'll ever see our retirement funds recover while the career politicians in Washington are insulated from the very things that threaten our existence. This campaign is about common-sense leadership—like researching low-cost, highly effective energy sources such as trash-to-energy technology—and preserving and protecting the American Dream." Westlake says there are scores of other issues that are presenting themselves in this election cycle that show the incumbent U.S. Senator has more in common with the ACLU and the "progressive" movement than with the citizens of Wisconsin.

Westlake summarizes "On a fundamental level, I believe that each individual makes better decisions for themselves and for their families than the government does…I believe in Wisconsinites, now I want to give Wisconsintes a reason to believe in themselves."