Republicans hold off Democrats in contested Wisconsin congressional races

By SCOTT BAUER The Associated Press

FILE - Rep. Derrick Van Orden, D-Wis., speaks with reporters as he arrives for the Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alex Brandon]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans won six congressional races in Wisconsin in Tuesday’s election, turning back Democratic challenges in a western Wisconsin swing district and in an open seat in a heavily GOP corner of the state.

In the most hotly contested race, Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden won reelection in western Wisconsin over Democratic challenger and political activist Rebecca Cooke. A political newcomer and former gas station chain owner, Tony Wied, won an open seat in the Green Bay area, defeating a doctor who tried to make the race about abortion rights.

Here’s a look at the three most-watched congressional races in Wisconsin:

Republican denies Democratic hope for flip in western Wisconsin

Van Orden won reelection to a second term in western Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, which had been represented by a Democrat for 26 years before it flipped in 2022.

Van Orden is a former Navy SEAL who was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and remains one of President-elect Donald Trump’s loudest backers in Wisconsin.

He was a top target for Democrats. Cooke, a former small business owner who worked as a waitress during the campaign, 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.

Republican defeats former Democratic lawmaker

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.

Steil issued a statement thanking voters for their trust and promising to lower costs and “have a nation that works for everyone.”

Trump-backed candidate takes open seat

Wied, running his first race, won the contest for northeast Wisconsin’s open congressional district, defeating an abortion rights advocate.

Wied had Trump’s endorsement in his race against Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an obstetrician who sued to overturn Wisconsin’s abortion ban. Trump carried Wisconsin, boosting other Republican candidates like Wied.

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 district includes cities such as Green Bay as well as rural areas.

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.”