MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A first-term Wisconsin Republican who was in the nation’s Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was vying for a second term Tuesday, while another candidate running with the backing of former President Donald Trump kept an open district under GOP control.
A former Democratic congressman and state lawmaker tried to defeat a Republican in southeast Wisconsin.
Here are the three most-watched congressional races in Wisconsin:
Democrats eye flip in western Wisconsin
Western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which had been represented by a Democrat for 26 years before it flipped in 2022 with the win by Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, is the most competitive district in the state.
Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and remains one of Trump’s loudest backers in Wisconsin.
He is a top target for Democrats. Former small-business owner and political activist Rebecca Cooke won a three-person primary to take on Van Orden. She has raised more money than any other Democratic challenger in the state, a sign of Democratic optimism for the race.
With the Mississippi River and Minnesota to the west, the district includes the rolling hills of the Driftless Area and Chippewa Falls. From Illinois, it stretches 250 miles (400 kilometers) north past Prairie du Chien, known for its Cabela’s outdoor gear distribution center and 19th-century riverside historic sites.
Trump-backed candidate takes open seat
Former gas station chain owner Tony Wied, running his first race, won the contest for northeast Wisconsin’s open congressional district, defeating an abortion rights advocate.
Wied had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump in his race against Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician who sued to overturn Wisconsin’s abortion ban.
Lyerly tried to make the race in the heavily Republican district about abortion.
The seat was vacant after the surprise resignation earlier this year of Republican Mike Gallagher, a sometime critic of Trump’s.
The heavily Republican district includes cities such as Green Bay as well as rural areas.
Lyerly's campaign spokesperson, Kurt Frewing, said that Lyerly congratulated Wied but had no further comment.
Wied promised in a statement to bring “some Wisconsin commonsense to Washington to lower everyday costs, secure the southern border, and reign in out-of-control government spending.”
Republican wins reelection
Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil won reelection to a fourth term representing southeast Wisconsin.
He defeated Peter Barca, the last Democrat to hold the seat in 1995. Barca served less than two years.
Barca previously served two stints in the state Legislature over more than 18 years and resigned after more than five years as state revenue secretary to take on Steil.
The seat, once held by former Speaker Paul Ryan, was made more competitive for Democrats following the latest round of redistricting. The district north of Illinois includes the cities of Kenosha, Racine and Janesville.
Barca campaign manager Ryan Paolilli didn't immediately return a voicemail message late Tuesday evening. Steil issued a statement thanking voters for their trust and promising to lower costs and “have a nation that works for everyone.”
Scott Bauer, The Associated Press