Scott Walker takes first steps to enter 2016 race
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is taking the first steps to officially launch his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
The governor is filing papers announcing his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday "after hearing from countless Americans," Walker aides confirmed to CBS News. He'll officially announce his intentions in Waukesha, Wisconsin on the afternoon of July 13.
Once Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich enter the race, there will be 16 candidates for the GOP 2016 nomination. In such a crowded field, Walker's standing in the polls is relatively decent so far. For instance, a new Quinnipiac poll of likely Iowa GOP caucus participants shows Walker with 18 percent support. Donald Trump and Ben Carson each stand at 10 percent, Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are at 9 percent each, former Gov. Jeb Bush wins at 8 percent support, Sen. Marco Rubio is at 7 percent, and former Gov. Mike Huckabee is at 5 percent.
Walker has gained a reputation as a staunch conservative after successfully taking on unions in his state and pushing an often polarizing conservative agenda. Even with all the controversy he generated, he managed to survive a recall election and win re-election.
CBS News' Sean Gallitz contributed to this report.