Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker announced his candidacy for governor today at a press conference in Wauwatosa.

Walker is a former Republican state legislator, and was elected to the county job three years ago in a special election following the county pension mess that forced then county exec Tom Ament to resign. Since then he has vowed to hold down property taxes by cutting county services.

Standing in his way is Congressman Mark Green from the Green Bay area, and possibly Assembly Speaker John Gard. The typical reaction has been that Walker may be too inexperienced. The more pressing concern for Walker will be luring voters from upstate to support him. Milwaukee-area politicians tend not to run well in the more rural areas of the state. Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett tried unsuccessfully against fellow Democrat Jim Doyle for the governorship in 2002.

Stacie has some thoughts on Mr. Walker over at the Vast Dairy State Conspiracy that I'll second. The general election won't be until November 2006 when the midterm elections for Congress are held.