Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker entering 2016 presidential race

Gov. Scott Walker in Iowa
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker spoke at the Iowa Freedom Summit on January 24, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. He's expected to launch his long-expected presidential run by filing the necessary paperwork Thursday.
Scott Olson | Getty Images file

Aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker say the Republican is entering the crowded Republican race for president.

They say Walker plans to launch his long-expected run by filing the necessary paperwork Thursday. Walker's official kickoff is expected July 13 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly discuss the launch ahead of the filing.

The 47-year-old Walker is in his second term as governor. He won a recall election in 2012 after angering union members by signing a law curtailing their collective bargaining rights.

Before jumping into the 2016 race, Walker had been waiting for state lawmakers to finish work on a new budget. But with progress in the Wisconsin Legislature stalled, Walker is moving ahead with his campaign.

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