Ron Johnson says he does not want to run for reelection in 2028

Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson on Wednesday told a Milwaukee audience that he does not want to run for a fourth term in the Senate in 2028, but that he cannot say "never." 

Johnson barely defeated his opponent, Democrat Mandela Barnes, in the 2022 midterms, which marked his third term. He was first elected in 2010. Johnson's seat is considered a potential pick-up for Democrats in the swing state in 2028. 

The 70-year-old senator was asked about his plans for another term during an event at the Milwaukee Press Club, where he stated that he wanted to work hard in the Senate now so he does not have to run again, according to The Hill.

“I learned in my second run, when I absolutely meant ‘second and final,” you can’t say never, never, okay?” He said. “I don’t want to. Yeah, I’d like to dig my heels in now, set this nation on a sustainable course and then go home.”

Johnson added that he does not "revel" in his title as a senator, and that underneath he's “just a guy from Oshkosh, just trying to — literally trying to save this country.”

The comment comes as the senator, a fiscal hawk, clashes with President Donald Trump on his "big, beautiful bill." Johnson said last week that he would not cave to pressure from the White House or Trump over the legislation, because he is working for his constituents and not the president.

“In the House, President Trump can threaten a primary, and those guys want to keep their seats. I understand the pressure. Can’t pressure me that way," he insisted. “I ran in 2010 because we were mortgaging our children’s future. It’s wrong. We were $14 trillion in debt, now we’re $37 [trillion]."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.