Roofing company owner Reid Ribble tells WisPolitics he plans to file nomination papers later this week to officially get into the GOP primary to take on Dem U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen next year in the 8th CD.

Ribble, whose group owns two roofing companies and a gutter protection company, said he was in Washington, D.C., this month to meet with the NRCC, some members of Congress, national trade groups and consultants. But he said it was his conscience that persuaded him to get into the race.

"My passions in the early stages are just the runaway spending and the national debt," Ribble said. "I think Americans are getting very concerned. I know that I'm getting concerned with an $11.5 trillion national debt. With socialized medicine coming down the pipe, cap-and-trade, it's all going to cost this country and economy jobs and money."

Ribble joins Door Co, Super. Marc Savard and Brown Co. Super. Andy Williams as Republicans who have already announced they're running, With others considering a bid as well, Ribble said he expects to stand apart from the crowd because he's not a "career politician" and his background in the business world.

"I understand what it takes to create jobs and sustain a business," said Ribble, who has never run for public office before.