Naturally, the news of 76-year-old Wisconsin senator Herb Kohl’s retirement has shaken up the already-turbulent political landscape in the state. Candidates from both parties are already jockeying to replace the likeable but often-invisible Kohl, who for 22 years has consistently remained one of the state’s most popular political figures. (Yet one could write a complete list of Herb Kohl’s legislative accomplishments without having to use 16 letters of the alphabet.)

Democratic congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Madison has already indicated her intention to run; while Baldwin is immensely personable, she also makes Barack Obama look like Barry Goldwater. (As this video suggests, she also likely has the much-sought-after Wonder Woman impersonator vote locked down.) Rep. Ron Kind from the western half of the state has often been mentioned as a Democratic possibility, but hasn’t indicated any inclination to run statewide — he eschewed a gubernatorial bid in 2010.

On the Republican side, former congressman Mark Neumann has already indicated a desire to run. Neumann ran in an ill-conceived primary against Gov. Scott Walker in 2010, and displayed some bizarre and erratic behavior on his way to being trounced. Of course, the big fish amongst the state’s GOP would be Rep. Paul Ryan, but Ryan has already made himself the nation’s fiscal dreamboat as chairman of the House Budget Committee. Yet Ryan announced this afternoon that he wants to “take some time” to mull a candidacy, which seems to leave the door wide open. If Ryan doesn’t run, Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald has indicated a desire to get in the race.

Whoever the nominee is, it most likely won’t be a no-name candidate like 2010’s Ron Johnson, who came from nowhere to beat liberal stalwart Russ Feingold. There should be a slate of familiar names on the docket — and many names that have become nationally known over the past few months during the Wisconsin collective bargaining imbroglio. With no incumbent to take on, the Rothenberg Political Report has already moved the seat from “Safe Dem” to “Lean Dem.”

As for Kohl, he can go back to his personal pursuits, which include owning the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team. (For some of us, the team trading away Dirk Nowitzki on draft day for the now-deceased “Tractor” Traylor in 1998 constituted an impeachable offense.) It is sad, but telling, that the biggest news Kohl made during his 22-year tenure in the Senate was announcing his retirement. It’s likely he jumps up and down with giddiness upon seeing his name in the newspaper tomorrow.

— Christian Schneider is a senior fellow at the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute.