Former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, D-Wis., announced Thursday he will be running for his old seat in 2016, setting up a rematch against Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.
Feingold posted a web video announcing he would seek a return to the Senate after losing to Johnson by five percentage points in 2010.
"People tell me all the time that our politics in Washington are broken and that multi-millionaires, billionaires and big corporations are calling all the shots," Feingold said. "They especially say this about the U.S. Senate, and it's hard not to agree."
"Let's fight together for change," he added. "That means helping to bring back to the U.S. Senate strong independence, bipartisanship and honesty."
Feingold's decision to get into the race could provide a boost to Democratic efforts to retake control of the Senate next year, as Johnson has been described as one of the most vulnerable incumbents.
A Marquette Law School Poll released last month showed Feingold with a 54 percent to 38 percent lead over Johnson in a potential matchup.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was quick to endorse Feingold in a move likely to keep most other potential Democratic candidates out of the race.
DSCC Chairman Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said, "Russ has a long record of standing up to the special interests trying to influence our democracy and a strong reputation of working to create opportunity for all Wisconsinites."
"As Senator, I know that Russ will always put Wisconsin first and we're very proud to support what will be his successful campaign," he added.
Meanwhile, Republicans were quick to strike back, with the National Republican Senatorial Committee describing Feingold as a "desperate career politician."
"After decades in politics, Feingold's ego still can't grasp that he was soundly defeated by Oshkosh job creator Ron Johnson in 2010," said NRSC Communications Director Andrea Bozek.
She added, "Wisconsin families rejected Feingold's broken promises and his liberal record once and they are going to do it again."
During his time out of the Senate, Feingold founded Progressives United, a political action committee dedicated to combating the corrupting influence of corporate money on elections and government.
Feingold is remembered in part as a co-sponsor of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law, which has since been gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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