Scott Walker Joining Presidential Race This Month

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker say the Republican is entering the crowded Republican race for president.

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

(AP/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)

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.