WI-01, WI-03: Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden are Wisconsin's top Democratic targets. They haven't strayed from Trump. [View all]
A raucous July town hall in southeastern Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District served as a showcase for President Donald Trump’s ability to energize his political opponents, and as a reminder of the stakes of next year’s midterms.
It was organized by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican from Janesville who was first elected in 2018 to fill the seat previously held by Paul Ryan, the former House speaker and GOP vice presidential candidate. Steil, who fits the Ryan mold, easily won his previous elections, defeating most of his Democratic opponents by double-digit margins.
Still, his 2026 campaign has already taken on a different feel. Along with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican from Prairie du Chien, Steil represents one of roughly two dozen congressional seats around the country that could go either way in the next election. Collectively, they’ll decide whether Democrats regain some power in Washington or if President Donald Trump’s agenda continues unabated.
Democratic voters are well aware of the stakes. Republicans across the country, including Van Orden, stopped doing in-person town halls after many were shouted down in the early days of Trump’s second term.
https://www.wpr.org/news/bryan-steil-derrick-van-orden-top-democratic-targets-president-donald-trump-2026-midterm
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