MADISON, Wis. -- Green Bay-area U.S. Rep. Mark Green is trying to make a bold leap back to Madison right into the governor's mansion.

Watch The Report

Green sat down with News 3 political reporter Colin Benedict for an inside look at why he's running for the state's top office.

Green's path into politics started in Africa.

After grad school he went to Kenya.

"I had no electricity in my house, no television, telephone, short-wave radio," said Green. "I spent my time reading and thinking."

The more he thought, the more he thought about getting into politics.

In 1992 he was elected to the Assembly.

In 1998 he went to Congress.

"I've been very blessed," said Green.

Green said he's trying to make the jump back to Madison because more decisions will be made here.

Green wants to lower the tax burden, lift up the education system, which he said is falling short, and protect values.

"Faith, family, hard work, love of country, the outdoor life that Teddy Roosevelt used to talk about," said Green. "Those decisions, I think, come out of Madison."

Education

On Education Green sees an achievement gap between white and minority students larger than anywhere in the country.

Only one-third of African-American students graduate from public schools.

"It's outrageous," said Green. "And for a state that fancies itself progressive on education, which we do and should. We shouldn't sit by one more day while that's going on."

He blames Democrat Gov. Jim Doyle for tuition increases busting 50 percent in four years.

Property Taxes

On property taxes Green believes the public will discover Doyle's freeze isn't a freeze.

Some bills went up, some went down. On average bills went up $23.

Green said he'd go further than Doyle.

"It's not simply enough to freeze taxes," said Green. "We have to put proposals forward to actually lower the tax burden."

Government Scandal

Then there's the issue of government itself, how it works or how it doesn't

State Democrats have tried to link Green to indicted leader Tom Delay.

It forced Green to put aside about $30,000 in Delay money. He said he wouldn't use it on the campaign.

Green likes to turn the focus to Doyle who's being investigated by the U.S. Attorney in Milwaukee to see if there's a link between campaign cash and a state travel contract.

The scandals from Madison to Washington have Green believing the public is looking for action.

"I'd love to say there's no fire there," said Green. "There's just smoke, there's fire."

Green said he's the guy to clean it up. In part, because Doyle has burned bridges.

"We need a governor who is engaged in the legislative process early on," said Green. "This is a governor who is famously vindictive and famously partisan. He has enemies in both parties. That's a lousy way to run a railroad."

Green is tapping into his past life in the Assembly. He is seen right now as the Republican Establishment candidate, reported WISC-TV. Doyle, Green and Walker are all trying to be seen as the "reformer of government."

There is a lot of uncertainty right now over where these scandals might lead and who could be tainted in the investigations, both in Madison and Washington.

Previous Story:

• Watch Scott Walker Interview