Gov. Scott Walker's campaign revealed to the Washington Post that he has formed an exploratory group - step one toward entering the 2016 race.
The group is tax-exempt and can pay for his activities and travels, as he gauges Republican support for him, as the party's potential nominee for the White House.
Walker calls his exploratory committee, "Our American Revival." It began its work in mid January.
@ScottWalker: "To move this country forward we need new, fresh leadership from outside Washington. We need leaders who are bold..."
— Our American Revival (@OurRevival) January 27, 2015
The GOP governor's campaign has hired staff in recent weeks, including in Iowa, to rouse support for him at the grassroots political level. Iowa will be the first to hold its caucuses in about a year's time. Walker also spoke at a conservative gathering there last weekend.
News of his exploratory group comes on the same day Walker announced major changes for the US System in his proposed budget, and state borrowing for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.
Nationally, the governor appears best known for weakening public unions in 2011, and surviving a recall election in 2012.