Vice President Vance Visits Wisconsin to Back Van Orden Amid Tight Congressional Race
In a bid to maintain the Republican majority in the U.S. House, Vice President JD Vance traveled to Plover, Wisconsin, on Thursday to rally support for Congressman Derrick Van Orden. The visit underscored the high stakes involved in retaining control over one of the most competitive congressional districts in the state.
Fresh off the heels of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, Vance highlighted the administration’s economic achievements, specifically praising the tax cuts enacted under Trump’s leadership. He emphasized the role of Republicans, like Van Orden, in passing these measures.
Vance joined a group of prominent Republican figures, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Wisconsin’s GOP gubernatorial candidate, and state GOP Chair Brian Schimming. The event, attended by around 300 supporters, took place at Pointe Precision, a manufacturer in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District.
Standing against a backdrop proclaiming “Lower Prices Bigger Paychecks,” Vance targeted economic concerns, a priority for midterm voters according to a recent Marquette University Law School poll. He credited the Republican-backed legislation for allowing Wisconsinites to retain more income by eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
“So if you are a citizen in this district and you see a big tax refund check come next month or the month after that, whenever you file your taxes, remember it was Derrick Van Orden who made it happen,” Vance declared. “And it was congressional Democrats who tried to stop it. So we’re going to send Derrick Van Orden back to Washington.”
Expressing gratitude to Tiffany for his role in passing the tax legislation, Vance also endorsed his gubernatorial bid.
During the event, Van Orden shared his background, noting similarities with Vance, such as their military service and humble beginnings. He highlighted the benefits of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included significant funding for rural healthcare.
Wisconsin’s 3rd District: A Pivotal Battleground
Amidst a closely divided House, Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District stands as a key battleground. Republicans hold a narrow majority, and Democrats need just three seats to regain control. The district’s history of swinging between Democratic and Republican candidates highlights its importance in the upcoming elections.
The rematch between Van Orden and Democrat Rebecca Cooke mirrors their 2024 contest, where Van Orden secured victory by a slim margin. This district, labeled a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, is under intense scrutiny from both parties.
Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, criticized Van Orden’s alignment with Trump, arguing for independent leadership. Baldwin stated, “They deserve independent leadership and not a rubber stamp.”
High Stakes and High Spending in Wisconsin’s 3rd
The battle for the 3rd District has attracted significant financial backing. By the end of last year, Van Orden amassed nearly $5 million for his campaign, while Cooke raised over $4 million. These figures reflect the intense focus on this district, as combined fundraising from the neighboring 7th District candidates was considerably lower.
National Democrats have prioritized Cooke’s campaign, adding it to their “Red-to-Blue” initiative. This move provides strategic support, additional staffing, and fundraising assistance, signifying their commitment to flipping the seat.
However, this decision faced criticism from Emily Berge, Cooke’s Democratic primary opponent, who expressed disappointment over the national party’s involvement. Berge told WQOW-TV that “people in D.C.” should not decide the primary outcome, calling the move “not democratic.”
