Republican Dick Leinenkugel entered the race Monday for the Republican Senate nomination.

Leinenkugel, a former brewing company executive, kicked off his campaign in Janesville, hometown of incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold (D).

“Conservatives need 10 seats to return control to the Republicans and to change Washington,” he said. “It’s time to put Wisconsin in play.”

Leinenkugel had telegraphed his intentions earlier this month, when he resigned as commerce secretary to Gov. Jim Doyle (D) and aides said he was preparing to run for the Senate.

Also seeking the GOP nomination are Dave Westlake, who is an Army veteran and small-business owner, and Terrence Wall, a real estate developer.

Wall issued a statement suggesting that Leinenkugel “explain his past support [for] Governor Jim Doyle, tax increases, the stimulus boondoggle, and an expensive high speed rail project.”