WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Latest on Gov. Scott Walker re-election campaign launch (all times local):

3:45 p.m.

Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is calling for an "army of grass-roots volunteers" to combat what he says will be a co-ordinated attack against his re-election campaign by "big government" Washington-based special interests.

Walker officially kicked off his re-election effort with a rally Sunday before a couple hundred backers at a factory outside of Milwaukee.

Walker says "we are moving Wisconsin forward" but there's work to be done cutting taxes, making college more affordable, fighting opioid abuse and putting people to work.

More than a dozen Democrats are either running or thinking of taking on Walker for the November 2018 election.

Hundreds of protesters rallied outside of Walker's event. He plans more than a dozen similar events over the next three days.

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2:55 p.m.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the site of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's campaign re-election rally, while his supporters inside say they're excited he's seeking a third term.

Walker was set to officially launch his campaign Sunday at Weldall Manufacturing in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Dozens of his supporters, current office holders and candidates are on the factory floor while protesters largely organized by the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera are outside.

Twenty-year-old college student Joe Blaszcynski says he's looking forward to voting for Walker for the first time in 2018. He says he likes Walker because "he's a family man first" and an "up-front individual."

Walker backer Dick Fleissner says he's been a supporter for a long time because Walker "does what he believes is the right thing to do."

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12:24 a.m.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his campaign for a third term will focus on proposals to ensure everyone in the state shares in economic prosperity.

Walker planned to launch his re-election campaign Sunday at a factory outside of Milwaukee. Walker tells The Associated Press in a Saturday interview his campaign themes will be focused on his plans for improving the economy, raising incomes, bettering schools and cutting taxes, with details to come.

Walker's Democratic opponent will be decided in an August primary. More than a dozen are either running or considering it.

Wisconsin Democratic Party chairwoman Martha Laning says no matter the candidate, Democrats will run and win on a message that Republicans have ignored working-class people to benefit the wealthy and special interests.

News from © The Associated Press, 2017